ASTM D5537-23a
Standard Test Method for Heat Release, Flame Spread, Smoke Obscuration, and Mass Loss Testing of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration

Standard No.

ASTM D5537-23a

Release Date

2023

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM D5537-23a

Scope

1.1  This is a fire-test-response standard. 1.2  This test method provides a means to measure the heat released and smoke obscuration by burning the electrical insulating materials contained in electrical or optical fiber cables when the cable specimens, excluding accessories, are subjected to a specified flaming ignition source and burn freely under well ventilated conditions. Flame propagation cable damage, by char length, and mass loss are also measured. 1.3  This test method provides two different protocols for exposing the materials, when made into cable specimens, to an ignition source (approximately 20 kW), for a 20 min test duration. Use it to determine the heat release, smoke release, flame propagation and mass loss characteristics of the materials contained in single and multiconductor electrical or optical fiber cables. 1.4  This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of materials insulating electrical or optical fiber cables in fire conditions other than the ones specifically used in this test method nor does it measure the contribution of the materials in those cables to a developing fire condition. 1.5  Data describing the burning behavior from ignition to the end of the test are obtained. 1.6  This test equipment is suitable for measuring the concentrations of certain toxic gas species in the combustion gases (see Appendix X4 ). 1.7  The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard (see IEEE/ASTM SI-10 ). The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard. 1.8  This standard measures and describes the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products or assemblies under actual fire conditions 1.9  Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests. 1.10  This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.11  This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

ASTM D5537-23a Referenced Document

• ASTM D1711 Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• ASTM D5424 Standard Test Method for Smoke Obscuration of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
• ASTM E1354 Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter
• ASTM E1537 Standard Test Method for Fire Testing of Real Scale Upholstered Furniture
• ASTM E176 Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• ASTM E2067 Standard Practice for Full-Scale Oxygen Consumption Calorimetry Fire Tests*， 2023-11-01 Update
• ASTM E3020 Standard Practice for Ignition Sources
• ASTM E603 Standard Guide for Room Fire Experiments
• ASTM E800 Standard Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or Generated During Fires
• ASTM E84 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
• IEEE 1202 IEEE Standard for Flame-Propagation Testing of Wire and Cable*， 2023-12-19 Update
• IEEE/ASTM SI 10 American National Standard for Metric Practice
• ISO 13943 Fire safety — Vocabulary*， 2023-09-01 Update
• ISO 9705 Fire tests; full-scale room test for surface products; technical corrigendum 1

ASTM D5537-23a history

• 2023 ASTM D5537-23a Standard Test Method for Heat Release, Flame Spread, Smoke Obscuration, and Mass Loss Testing of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
• 2023 ASTM D5537-23 Standard Test Method for Heat Release, Flame Spread, Smoke Obscuration, and Mass Loss Testing of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable T
• 2018 ASTM D5537-18 Standard Test Method for Heat Release, Flame Spread, Smoke Obscuration, and Mass Loss Testing of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable T
• 2014 ASTM D5537-14 Standard Test Method for Heat Release, Flame Spread, Smoke Obscuration, and Mass Loss Testing of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
• 2010 ASTM D5537-10 Standard Test Method for Heat Release, Flame Spread, Smoke Obscuration, and Mass Loss Testing of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
• 2008 ASTM D5537-08 Standard Test Method for Heat Release, Flame Spread, Smoke Obscuration, and Mass Loss Testing of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
• 2003 ASTM D5537-03 Standard Test Method for Heat Release, Flame Spread, Smoke Obscuration, and Mass Loss Testing of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
• 1999 ASTM D5537-99 Standard Test Method for Heat Release, Flame Spread and Mass Loss Testing of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration