Application
The Vertical Flammability Chamber is used to assess the vertical flame spread of children’s sleepwear, fabrics (fabric burn test), and other textile materials or resilient filling materials used in upholstered furniture. It automatically ignites the specimen, with programmable ignition time. After-flame time and afterglow time are timed automatically and displayed on the screen. The chamber features a user-friendly control panel with a touch screen for convenient operation, displaying test results after the test. The stainless steel flammability chamber is draft-free, equipped with an observation window for easy test viewing. The specimen holders, burner, and associated hardware depend on the specific test standard and must be specified accordingly.
Testing Method
What is the Vertical Flammability Chamber?
The Vertical Flammability Chamber is a device designed to test the combustion performance of children’s pajamas, decorative fabrics, and other textile materials. It consists of a sealed stainless steel combustor, an observation window, and a standard burner, ensuring accurate flame spread speed testing. The chamber comes with different sample clips and accessory packages to meet various test standards. The testing process is controlled via an automatic gas control system, allowing for easy operation. The following section provides an example of the vertical flammability test based on ASTM D6413 standards.
Regulating Instrument
- Adjust the gas pressure to 17.2 ± 1.7 KPa and ignite the flame.
- Set the flame height to 3 mm and ensure the flame shape remains stable for 12 seconds.
- Close the vent and open the solenoid valve to adjust the flame height to 38 mm.
- Position the burner so that the lower edge of the sample clip is centered 19 mm above the top of the burner.
- Set the timer to ensure the ignition time of the sample is 12 ± 0.2 seconds.
Sample Preparation
- Cut 5 samples along the longitudinal and transverse directions to a size of 76 mm x 300 mm, ensuring that the samples are flat.
- Adjust the humidity of the samples as required and store them in a dryer.
Test Program
- Remove the sample from the dryer and prepare it for ignition within 4 minutes.
- Fix the sample in the sample clip and place it into the test chamber, ensuring the center of the bottom edge of the sample is positioned 19 mm above the burner.
- Open the igniter and ignite the sample for 12 ± 0.2 seconds. Observe and record any melting and droplet formation during combustion.
- After removing the ignition source, record the time of continuous combustion and the time of flameless combustion. Do not extinguish the test sample to avoid affecting the carbonation length.
- Remove the sample clip from the test chamber and open the ventilation cabinet to remove any smoke.
- Measure the carbonation length along the intact edge of the sample.
Key Considerations for Vertical Burning Testing
- Proper installation of the sample and sample rack is essential for accurate vertical burning test results.
- The samples should be cut flat, without wrinkles. Ensure the upper and lower ends of the sample are flush and that the dimensions are as precise as possible.
- When placing the sample in the specimen holder, ensure the lower end of the specimen is flush with the holder’s lower edge to ensure accurate measurement during the test.
- The sample holder should be suspended vertically above the igniter, without tilting. The center of the sample must align with the flame.
