Steckler, K.
, Twilley, W.
and Tu, X.
(1990),
Calibration Technique for Heat Flux Sensors Used in Fire Experiments and Standard Fire Tests, Technical Note (NIST TN), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=910688
(Accessed October 22, 2025)
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Calibration Technique for Heat Flux Sensors Used in Fire Experiments and Standard Fire Tests
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Abstract
A means for calibrating total heat flux gauges using a comparative (substtution) technique has been established. An apparatus consisting of a reference radiometer, a stale infrared radiant heater capable of producing flux levels up to 3.7 W/cm2, and a precision alignment mechanism has been constructed. The reference radiometer was characterized by the Radiometric Physics Division of The National Institute of Standards and Technology at lux levels in the range 0.8 mW/cm2 to 0.9 W/cm2. Its accuracy was found to be within 3 percent over this range which spans 3 orders of magnitude. As the radometer is a highly linear thermocouple-based device having a self-calibration feture, this accuracy is expected to hol dup to 4.2 W/cm2, the upper limit of this device. Although the overall accuracy o calibrations performed in the new apparatus must still be established, it is expected to be within the 3-5 percent.Citation
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Created April 1, 1990, Updated February 19, 2017