Repeatability and reproducibility of the ISO/TS 19700 steady state tube furnace

The ISO/TS 19700 steady state tube furnace is designed to measure the yields of combustion products, and in particular toxic combustion products, under a range of different specified decomposition conditions occurring in full-scale compartment fires. In order to establish the repeatability and reproducibility of the method, a “Round Robin” inter-laboratory study and statistical analysis has been carried out involving three laboratories. Pre-existing data from a fourth laboratory have also been considered where appropriate. Samples of different polymers (PMMA, LDPE, PA6.6 and rigid PVC) were tested under two fire conditions: well-ventilated flaming at 650 °C and post-flashover under-ventilated flaming at 825 °C, with each laboratory performing three replicate runs on each polymer under each condition. The results showed good agreement between laboratories and against calculated stoichiometric maxima, demonstrating satisfactory levels of repeatability and reproducibility for key combustion gases. These included O2 consumption, and the yields of CO2, CO, HCN and HCl. A number of amendments to the standard have been recommended as a result of minor procedural issues arising during preliminary work.

► It is the only apparatus designed for assessment of fire toxicity under different fire conditions.
► 4 materials have been used to verify the interlaboratory reproducibility under 2 fire conditions.
► The results from 4 laboratories show excellent agreement.