Certified
ISO 9001:2009
Address
Okhla Industrial Estate Phase 1
Timing
24 x 7
Cone Calorimetter ISO 5660-1, ASTM E1354
Cone Calorimetter ISO 5660-1, ASTM E1354
Cone Calorimeter
Compliance
ISO 5660, ASTM E1354, BS 476-15, ASTM E1474; ASTM E1740; ASTM F1550; ASTM D6113; CAN ULC 135.
The cone calorimeter is a critical instrument used in fire testing and research. It facilitates the miniaturization of fire tests, providing a robust dataset with excellent repeatability.
The cone calorimeter provides a method for assessing the rate of heat release and the rate of smoke production for specimens exposed in a horizontal orientation to controlled levels of irradiance, in the presence of an external igniter. The rate of heat release is determined by measuring the oxygen consumption, which is derived from the oxygen concentration and the flow rate of the combustion gas. The rate of smoke production is calculated from the attenuation of a laser light beam by the combustion gas.
The rate of heat release and smoke obscuration are recorded for the entire duration of the test, irrespective of whether the specimen is in the flaming or non-flaming phase.
The following data shall be reported from the cone calorimeter test:
- Rate of heat release, in kW/m2
- Total heat release, in MJ/m2
- Rate of smoke production, in m2/s
- Total smoke production, in m2
- Mass loss rate, in g/s
- Time to sustained flaming and time of extinguishment, in seconds
- Heat flux, in kW/m2
- Exhaust duct flow rate, in L/s
- Test duration, in seconds
- C-factor, in 1/kg⋅m⋅K
Cone calorimeter consists of the following primary components:
- Radiant Heater: A cone-shaped radiant electrical heater, consisting of an electrical heating rod wound into a truncated cone. It's rated at 5000W and capable of producing an irradiance of up to 100 kW/m² at the specimen's surface.
- Specimen Holder: A horizontal mounting facility for holding the specimen during testing.
- Irradiance Control: A PID temperature control system to regulate the cone's irradiance level.
- Load Cell: A load cell with a resolution of 0.01 g and an accuracy of ±0.3 g for measuring the mass loss rate of the specimen. It is positioned with proper thermal insulation to prevent heat interference.
- Exhaust Gas System: An exhaust system constructed from stainless steel for longevity. It includes an adjustable flow control system with a resolution of 0.1 g/s and a calibrated orifice plate flow meter to measure the volume flow rate of the combustion gases.
- Gas Sampling System: An apparatus for sampling the combustion gases, which includes a 3-stage filter system (with a filtration accuracy of up to 0.5 µm), a refrigerated cold trap, a diaphragm pump, and a moisture trap.
- Oxygen Analyzer: A paramagnetic oxygen analyzer with a measurement range of 0% to 25% by volume. Servomex, SIEMENS® or ABB® gas analyzers are optional.
- Carbon Monoxide and Dioxide Analyzers: NDIR (Non-Dispersive Infrared) analyzers for measuring carbon monoxide (range 0-1%) and carbon dioxide (range 0-10%). Servomex,SIEMENS® or ABB® gas analyzers are optional.
- Smoke Measurement System: A system for measuring smoke obscuration, which includes a helium-neon (He-Ne) laser, silicon photodiodes, and their mounting facilities.
- Calibration Flow Controller: A mass flow controller for methane gas, used for system calibration, with an accuracy of ±1.0% of full scale.
- Heat Flux Meter: A water-cooled heat flux meter (or radiometer) for calibrating the irradiance.
- Data Acquisition System: A system capable of recording data at a maximum rate of 50 records per second.
- Operating Software: Software that includes standard test protocols, sensor calibration, automated system calibration, real-time status monitoring, and report management.
