ASTM E800 Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or Generated During Fires
1. Scope
1.1 Analytical methods for the measurement of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbonyl sulfide, hydrogen halides, hydrogen cyanide, aldehydes, and hydrocarbons are described, along with sampling considerations. Many of these gases may be present in any fire environment. Several analytical techniques are described for each gaseous species, together with advantages and disadvantages of each. The test environment, sampling constraints, analytical range, and accuracy often dictate use of one analytical method over another.
1.2 These techniques have been used to measure gases under fire test conditions (laboratory, small scale, or full scale). With proper sampling considerations, any of these methods could be used for measurement in most fire environments.
1.3 This document is intended to be a guide for investigators and for subcommittee use in developing standard test methods. A single analytical technique has not been recommended for any chemical species unless that technique is the only one available.
1.4 The techniques described herein determine the concentration of a specific gas in the total sample taken. These techniques do not determine the total amount of fire gases that would be generated by a specimen during conduct of a fire test.
1.5 This standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assembles to heat and flame under controlled conditions but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro priate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
D3162 Test Method for Carbon Monoxide in the Atmosphere (Continuous Measurement by Nondispersive Infrared Spectrometry)
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E535 Practice for Preparation of Fire-Test-Response Standards
E603 Guide for Room Fire Experiments
E662 Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid Materials
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions - Definitions used in this guide are in accordance with Terminology D123, Terminology D1356, Terminology E 176, and Practice E 535 unless otherwise indicated.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 batch sampling - sampling over some time period in such a way as to produce a single test sample for analysis.
3.2.2 combustion products, n - airborne effluent from a material undergoing combustion; this may also include pyrolysates.
3.2.2.1 Discussion - combustion products without mass, such as heat or other radiation, are not addressed in this guide.
3.2.3 fire test, n - a procedure, not necessarily a standard test method, in which the response of materials to heat or flame, or both, under controlled conditions is measured or otherwise described.
3.2.4 sample integrity - the unimpaired chemical composition of a test sample upon the extraction of said test sample for analysis.
3.2.5 sampling - a process whereby a test sample is extracted from a fire test environment.
3.2.6 test sample - a representative part of the experimental environment (gases, liquids, or solids), for purposes of analysis.
