Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015C00542:reg:1:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015C00542
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 1 (pt 2/43)
Character Range: 152438–155355

herein, this method cannot be considered as suitable for evaluation of all true in-vehicle burning characteristics.

              10.2. Definitions
              10.2.1. Burning rate: The quotient of the burnt distance measured according to this method and the time taken to burn that distance. It is expressed in millimetres per minute.
              10.2.2. Composite material: A material composed of several layers of similar or different materials intimately held together at their surfaces by cementing, bonding, cladding, welding, etc.
               When different materials are connected together intermittently (for example, by sewing, high-frequency-welding, riveting), then in order to permit the preparation of individual samples in accordance with paragraph 10.5. below such materials shall not be considered as composite materials.

              10.2.3. Exposed side: The side which is facing towards the passenger compartment when the material is mounted in the vehicle.
              10.3. Principle
               A sample is held horizontally in a U-shaped holder and is exposed to the action of a defined low-energy flame for 15 seconds in a combustion chamber, the flame acting on the free end of the sample. The test determines whether and when the flame is extinguished or the time which the flame requires to proceed over a measured distance.

              10.4. Apparatus

              10.4.1. Combustion chamber (Figure 15), preferably of stainless steel, having the dimensions given in Figure 16.

               The front of the chamber contains a flame-resistant observation window, which may cover the entire front and which can be constructed as an access panel.

               The bottom of the chamber has vent holes, and the top has a vent slot all around. The combustion chamber is placed on four feet, 10 mm high. The chamber may have a hole at one end for the introduction of the sample holder containing the sample; in the opposite end, a hole is provided for the gas-supply line. Melted material is caught in a pan (see Figure 17) which is placed on the bottom of the chamber between vent holes without covering any vent hole area.

Figure 15

Example of combustion chamber with sample holder and drip pan

10.4.2. Sample holder, consisting of two U-shaped metal plates or frames of corrosion-proof material. Dimensions are given in Figure 18.
 The lower plate is equipped with pins and the upper one with corresponding holes, in order to ensure a consistent holding of the sample. The pins also serve as measuring points at the beginning and end of the burning distance.
 A support shall be provided in the form of heat-resistant wires 0.25 mm in diameter spanning the frame at 25-mm intervals over the bottom U-shaped frame (see Figure 19).
 The plane of the lower side of samples shall be 178 mm above the floor plate. The distance of the front edge of the sample holder