5.1 This test method provides a means of measuring a variety of fire-test-response characteristics resulting from burning a stack of five stacking chairs. After ignition using a propane gas burner, the test specimen is permitted to burn freely under well-ventilated conditions. The most important fire-test-response characteristic measured in this test method is the rate of heat release, which quantifies the intensity of the fire generated.
5.2 The rate of heat release is measured by the principle of oxygen consumption. Annex A3 discusses the assumptions and limitations.
5.3 This test method also provides measures of other fire-test-response characteristics, including smoke obscuration (as the rate of smoke release, total smoke released or optical density of smoke), combustion gas release (as concentrations of combustion gases), and mass loss, that are important to making decisions on fire safety.
5.4 In the majority of fires, the most important gaseous components of smoke are the carbon oxides present in all fires. They are indicators of the toxicity of the atmosphere and of the completeness of combustion. Measurement of concentrations of carbon oxides are useful for two purposes: as part of fire hazard assessment calculations and to improve the accuracy of heat-release measurements. Other toxic combustion gases, which are specific to certain materials, are also indicators of the toxicity of the atmospheres, but are less crucial for determining combustion completeness and are optional measures; however fire hazard assessment often requires their measurement.
5.5 The type of ignition chosen (flaming source) is common in both accidental and intentional fires in public occupancies. This test method is thus applicable to stacked chairs in public occupancies. Such facilities include, but are not limited to, health-care facilities, old-age convalescent and board and care homes, college dormitories and residence halls, and hotels and motels.
5.6 One of the following three configurations is to be used in this test method:
5.6.1 Test Configuration A—A test room with the following dimensions: 3.66 by 2.44 by 2.44 m high (12 by 8 by 8 ft).
5.7 Rooms of other dimensions are acceptable where it has been shown that equivalent test results are obtained.
5.8 Measurements in the three test configurations listed in 5.6 have been shown to give similar results for heat release in the duct and mass loss up to a rate of heat release of 600 kW (1).8