FED-STD-228A
Method 5211.1
18 APRIL 2014
FLAMMABILITY, HORIZONTAL
1. SCOPE
1.1 This method is intended for use in determining the flame-retardant properties of insulated wire and
cable without metallic coverings. It is particularly applicable to the flame-retardant fibrous covering of
varnished cloth insulated wire and cable.
2. SPECIMEN
2.1 The specimen should be a piece of the inspection unit at least 10 inches in length.
3. APPARATUS
3.1 The apparatus shall be as follows:
3.1.1 Test chamber approximately 12 inches wide, 14 inches deep, and 24 inches high made of sheet
metal. The chamber shall be open at the top and front and equipped with supports 8 inches apart for
holding the specimen in a horizontal position during the test.
3.1.2 Tirrell burner having a bore of 3/8 inch and a 4-inch length above the primary air inlets.
3.1.3 Supply of fuel gas, butane, or equivalent. The gas system shall be equipped with controls for
maintaining the flow of gas to the burner at uniform pressure.
3.1.4 Watch or other device which will register the time in seconds.
3.1.5 Steel scale graduated to 1/8 inch or finer or its decimal equivalent.
4. PROCEDURE
4.1 The specimen shall be free from mechanical damage. The flammability test shall be carried out in a
room free from draft or under a hood in which the flow of air is not sufficient to affect the flame.
4.2 The specimen shall be placed in a horizontal position in the chamber on supports 8 inches apart.
Two strips of indicator paper shall be attached to the specimen 4 inches apart, each paper being 2 inches
from the point on the specimen where the inner blue cone of the flame is to be applied. The indicator
paper shall be moistened just sufficient for proper adhesion and wrapped once around the specimen with
the gummed side towards the wire and the ends pasted evenly together and projected ¾ inch from the
specimen on the opposite side to which the flame is to be applied. The Tirrell burner shall be placed in a
vertical position and the flame adjusted to 5 inches in height with the inner blue cone 1 ½ inches in height.
4.3 The burner, in a vertical position, shall be placed so that the inner cone just touches the under side of
the specimen at a point midway between the two indicator papers. The flame shall be directed against
the specimen for exactly 30 seconds and then removed. After flaming of the specimen has ceased, the
indicator papers shall be examined to determine the maximum distance the flame extended in either
direction from the center point of application of the flame.
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