Thermal and Flow Characteristics of the ASTM E 84 Tunnel Test Method. Final Report.

Published

September 1, 1975

Author(s)

Jim G. Quintiere, James W. Raines

Abstract

Five experiments were conducted using an ASTM E 84 tunnel test facility These included a calibration test, three standard tests involving carpet materials, and one test in which a carpet material was tested on the floor of the duct. In addition to the measurements recorded during a standard test, instrumentation was added to measure inlet air velocity, temperature within the test section of the duct, and heat flux. From these measurements mass and energy balances were determined for each experiment. The results indicate that inlet air mass flow rate dropped during a test and appears to depend on the extent of burning in the duct. The engery balance results indicate that for the calibration run about half of the energy of the gas burner is lost by radiation and convection to the walls in the test section of the tunnel. During combustion of a test specimen, significant energy losses occur in the last 9 feet of the test section even after the flame tip has reached the exit of the tunnel.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) -

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Keywords

ASTM E84, carpets, flame spread, test methods, tunnel tests

Citation

Quintiere, J. and Raines, J. (1975), Thermal and Flow Characteristics of the ASTM E 84 Tunnel Test Method. Final Report., NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed October 1, 2023)