firetestingtechnology

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FTT Single BurningItem (SBI)(EN 13823)

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FIRE TESTING TECHNOLOGY

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EN 13823:Reaction to fire tests forbuilding products excludingfloorings exposed tothermal attack by a singleburning item, the SBI.

The importance of the SBIThe European ConstructionProducts Regulation requires thatall European Member states usethis test method to evaluatereaction to fire performance for allconstruction products excludingflooring. These test methods willeventually take precedence overnational regulatory methods toclassify most building products andwill be required by all suppliers ofbuilding materials into the EU andneighbouring states adopting theseregulations.

The SBI TestThe Single Burning Item (SBI), is amethod of test for determining thereaction to fire behaviour ofbuilding products (excludingfloorings) when exposed to thethermal attack from a singleburning item (modelled by a

propane fuelled sand­box burner).The specimen is mounted on atrolley that is positioned in a framebeneath an exhaust system. Thereaction of the specimen to theburner is monitored instrumentallyand visually. Heat and smokerelease rates are calculated andphysical characteristics are assessedby observation. The parametersthat are quantified in this test andused within the classificationcriteria are Total Heat Release(THR), Fire Growth Rate Index(FIGRA) and Smoke Growth Rateindex (SMOGRA).

How the SBI is used toclassify productsThe European Commission recentlydefined the classification criteria forbuilding products. Theseperformance classes range from A to F. Although other test methodsare required for assessment, SBItesting is needed to classify all nonflooring products qualifying forclasses A2, B, C and D, which arethe major classes inhabited by mostproducts other than those that areprincipally inorganic and classifiedas non­combustible (A1).

The FTT SBIFTT supplies and installs theapparatus and train clients in itsuse. FTT can also supply any of thecomponents to clients wishing topart design and build their ownequipment.

The main components of the FTT SBI are:• Frame, trolley, hood and

ducting.• Gas analysis instrumentation for

heat release measurement.• Smoke measurement system.

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FTT SINGLE BURNING ITEM (SBI)

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Gas AnalysisInstrumentationHoused in a 19" rack containing:• FTT Calorimeter Analyser

featuring Paramagnetic oxygensensor with atmosphericpressure compensation andInfrared carbon dioxide sensor(0­10%). Carbon monoxide (0­1%) is optional.

• Developed and optimisedspecifically for the FTTcalorimeters this analyserfeatures flow control and bypassfor fast response, low drift andnoise and is compatible withsmall, medium and largecalorimeters.

• Soot filter, refrigerant cold trap,drying column(s), pump andwaste regulators forconditioning the sampled gasesprior to analysis.

• Controls for the smokemeasurement system (ifpurchased).

Clients owning an FTT Dual ConeCalorimeter can use the instrumentrack from the cone for thisfunction. Similarly clientspurchasing this equipment will owna substantial section of a FTT DualCone Calorimeter and later be ableto purchase a Cone Calorimeterwith significant savings.

• Burner, gas train and controls.• Data acquisition and analysis

software.

Test apparatus includes:• Trolley, which holds the

specimen and which docks intothe frame.

• Primary and secondary burners.• Frame, which is built into the

test room.• Collector with baffles, fitted to

the hood.• Ducting with guide vanes.• Duct section containing gas

sampling probe, bi­directionalprobe and thermocouples formass flow measurement andsmoke measuring ports.

CLASS CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA ADDITIONAL CLASSIFICATION OTHER TEST METHOD(S)

A2 FIGRA ≤ 120W/s; and Smoke production; and Flaming droplets/particles EN ISO 1716LFS < edge of specimen; andTHR600s ≤ 7.5 MJ

B FIGRA ≤ 120W/s; and Smoke production; and Flaming droplets/particles EN ISO 11925­2LFS < edge of specimen; andTHR600s ≤ 7.5 MJ

C FIGRA ≤ 250W/s; and Smoke production; and Flaming droplets/particles EN ISO 11925­2LFS < edge of specimen; andTHR600s ≤ 15 MJ

D FIGRA < 750W/s Smoke production; and Flaming droplets/particles EN ISO 11925­2

The FTI SBI frame trolley

19" Gas Analysis Rack

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Smoke MeasurementSystemIncludes:• White light source and lens built

in accordance with DIN 50055.• Silicon photodiode detector and

voltage output of transmission• SBI support cradle• Full set of calibration filters.• Analysis is via software.

Burner, Gas Train andControlsIncludes:• Two non­aerated sandbox

burners and an ignition system.• UV burner flame detector units

for safe gas supply monitoring.• ‘Gas Control Box’, housed next

to the test room observationwindow so the operator cansimultaneously see the testspecimen and digital propanemass flow rate (mg/s). This unitincludes three flow levelcontrollers, warning lights andoverride facilities.

• ‘Gas Diverter’ consisting of amass flow controller to controlthe propane gas flow. Solenoidvalves and flash back arrestors inboth gas supply lines forautomated safe operation of thegas flow to the burners. Theseare housed close to the testframe to improve the responsetime of the burners by reducingthe pipe length between thesolenoids and burners. Thepropane mass flow rate and thecorresponding heat release (kW)are additionally displayed viasoftware.

Data aquisition andanalysisIncludes:• A Windows based software

package enabling simple datacollection and manipulation todetermine the variousparameters needed for heatrelease determination. Thesoftware generates files thatintegrate with the currentspreadsheets, (which are alsosupplied) for the calculation ofthe Fire Growth Rate Index(FIGRA) and Smoke Growth RateIndex (SMOGRA).

• Data logger, which features a 3­slot cardcage with 6 1/2 digit(22 bit) internal DMM enablingup to 120 single­ended or 48double­ended measurements,collects signals from theinstrumentation. Scan rates upto 250 channels/s are availablewith a 115 kbaud RS232interface as standard.Alsosupplied with GPIB interface.

Gas Control Box

Gas Diverter

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FTT SINGLE BURNING ITEM (SBI)

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Services required forcomplete instalation ofan SBIFTT supplies all instrumentationand ducting for the SBI and canhelp with laboratory design,supplying of additional items orsupervision of local building worksor installation of essential services.The test may produce largequantities of combustion productsso smoke handling facilities andsuitable extinguishing agents arerecommended.

You will also need:• Minimum height of 4.5m to

house full apparatus• Minimum floor space required

(3m × 3m)• Extraction (0.5m3/s to 0.65m3/s)• Air supply• Oxygen­free nitrogen• Drying agents• Calibration gas of CO2/nitrogen

(and CO if this option ispurchased)

• Commercial propane supply• Electrical power providing

230VAC 50/60 Hz 16A at theinstrument rack must beavailable.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Measuring Principle Paramagnetic oxygen analysis. Infrared carbon dioxide analysis.

System Dimensions (mm)Trolley 1500 (W) × 1620 mm (D) × 2200mm (H)Frame 1500(W) × 1700 mm (D) × 2500mm (H)Ducting 315 internal diameter (to length and specification as per Standard)

Gas flow rate (for burner) 647 mg/s and 2000 mg/s

Smoke detector Silicon photodiode detector

Software Windows based data acquisition and analysis

Due to the continuous development policy of FTT technical changes could be made without prior notice.

Other Euroclass testmethodsTo classify the reaction to fire of thefull range of wall lining and flooringconstruction products, the SBI andup to 4 other European Standardtest methods may be required. FTTsupplies instrumentation complyingwith all these European Standardtest methods.

The test methods are:• Single­Flame Source Test

EN ISO 11925­2. Reaction to firetests for building products –Ignitability of building productssubjected to direct impingementof flame.

• Oxygen Bomb CalorimeterEN ISO 1716. Reaction to firetests for building products –Determination of the heat ofcombustion.

• Non Combustibility ApparatusEN ISO 1182. Reaction to firetests for building products –Non combustibility test.

• Flooring Radiant PanelEN ISO 9239­1. Reaction to firetests for building products –Horizontal surface spread offlame for floor coverings.

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FIRE TESTING TECHNOLOGY

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Unrivalled Experience inDesign and ManufacturingFTT’s site in East Grinstead, is home to the largest group of fire scientists andinstrumentation design engineers working on fire testing instrumentation, and is at the heart of our design andmanufacturing. For more than 30 years FTT has provided the highest quality instruments and service for fire testing and research professionals worldwide, directly and through its extensive global sales and support network.

Quality• World­class

manufacturing inaccordance withmultiple internationaland national standards,including: EN, ISO &ASTM

• ISO 9001, ISO 14001certified

Integrity• A dedicated team

passionate about firetestinginstrumentation andcontinuous productimprovement

• Delivering reliable,robust and easy­to­useinstruments for thepast 30 years

Excellence• A world­class team

made up of qualifiedfire scientists,mechanical, electricaland electronic fireinstrument designengineers andproduction, installationand maintenanceengineers

Global• World­wide

distribution networkfor global sales,installations, training,maintenance andtechnical support

• Leading global supplierof the ConeCalorimeter, LargeScale Calorimeter, NBSSmoke Chamber andOxygen Index

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