ASTM E906/E906M-21 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM E906/E906M-21 — Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using a Thermopile Method. This method (often called the OSU thermopile method) describes apparatus, specimen preparation, exposures, and calculation procedures to determine the rate of heat release and visible smoke obscuration from planar materials, products, or assemblies under prescribed radiant heat fluxes.

Abstract

This test method provides quantitative measurements of heat release rate and visible smoke release from a single exposed surface of materials or assemblies when subjected to controlled radiant heat fluxes. The method uses a thermopile (thermal) measurement technique and an array radiant heater; it supports both piloted and unpiloted ignition modes and two apparatus configurations (A and B). The results are useful for product development, comparative performance assessment, and research, but are limited to the specific specimen size, orientation, and exposure conditions defined in the method.

General information

• Status: Active standard.
• Publication date: Current edition approved December 1, 2021; published January 2022 (designated E906/E906M-21).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 13.220.50 — Protection against fire / Fire-resistance of building materials and elements.
• Edition / version: E906/E906M-21 (latest revision 2021).
• Number of pages: 27 pages.

Scope

The standard provides procedures to determine the release rates of heat and visible smoke from materials, products, or assemblies when exposed to specified levels of radiant heat (0 to 80 kW/m²). It defines the thermopile (thermal) technique, specimen sizes and orientations (vertical or horizontal), options for piloted and unpiloted ignition, and two apparatus configurations (including the configuration commonly used by the Federal Aviation Administration at 35 kW/m²). The method is limited to one-surface exposures and to specimen sizes and mounting specified in the document; results are specific to the tested specimen size and conditions and are not universally scalable to other sizes or fire scenarios.

Key topics and requirements

• Measurement of heat release rate using a thermopile (thermal) detector array — the OSU thermopile approach.
• Measurement of visible smoke in terms of light obscuration (transmitted light obscuration).
• Specified radiant heat flux exposures from 0 to 80 kW/m²; guidance on selection of flux and orientation.
• Two apparatus configurations (A and B) with configuration A aligned with FAA use at 35 kW/m²; configuration B for research/development.
• Specimen preparation, conditioning, mounting, and dimensional requirements; calculations report heat and smoke release rates per unit original exposed area.
• Limitations and known dependencies: effects of char, ash, thickness, mounting, specimen deformation, and orientation on results.
• Safety considerations for hazardous operations and equipment during fire testing.

Typical use and users

Used by product developers, material scientists, fire test laboratories, regulatory bodies, aircraft interior material evaluators, and researchers to characterize and compare fire performance (heat and visible smoke release) of planar materials and products under controlled radiant exposures. The method is often applied during material selection, R&D, pre-compliance testing, and comparative assessments where thermopile-derived heat and smoke release data are required.

Related standards

Related ASTM fire test methods include E1354 (cone calorimeter, oxygen-consumption calorimetry) and other E05 committee documents and referenced practices for conditioning and terminology. The standard references FAA test guidance where applicable and is part of a family of fire performance methods addressing different exposure and measurement approaches.

Keywords

heat release rate; visible smoke; thermopile; OSU method; radiative heat flux; fire testing; smoke obscuration; specimen orientation; piloted ignition; E906/E906M-21.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E906/E906M-21 is a standardized test method that measures heat release rate and visible smoke release from materials and products using a thermopile (thermal) technique, commonly referred to as the OSU thermopile method.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers apparatus configuration, specimen sizes and mounting, exposure conditions (radiant heat fluxes up to 80 kW/m²), piloted and unpiloted ignition procedures, measurement and calculation of heat and visible smoke release rates, and limitations and safety considerations for the tests.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Fire test laboratories, manufacturers, materials and product developers, aerospace material evaluators, and researchers use this method for product development, comparative testing, and certain regulatory or procurement evaluations.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The designation E906/E906M-21 is the 2021 revision (current edition approved December 1, 2021 and published January 2022). Users should confirm whether a newer revision exists before relying on the 2021 edition for the latest requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ASTM Committee E05 fire standards and specifically developed under Subcommittee E05.21 (Smoke and Combustion Products); it complements other ASTM fire test standards such as E1354 (cone calorimeter).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Heat release rate, visible smoke, thermopile, OSU, radiative heat flux, smoke obscuration, piloted ignition, specimen orientation.