• THERMO-MAN® Test
• Vertical Flammability Test
• Thermal Protective Performance Test
• Standard Test Method for Radiant Protective Performance of Flame-Resistant Clothing Materials
• Mannequin Test
• Thermal Stability Test
• Thermal Shrinkage Test
• Standard Test Method for Determining the Ignitability of Non-Flame-Resistant Materials for Clothing by Electric Arc Exposure Method Using Mannequins
• Standard Test Method for Determining the Arc Thermal Performance Value of Materials for Clothing
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THERMO-MAN® Test (ASTM F-1930)  

DuPont THERMO-MAN® is an instrumented, six-foot one inch, high-temperature composite mannequin system with 122 heat sensors. It is used to test full-size garments and to measure protective performance under simulated flash-fire conditions. When dressed in protective apparel and engulfed in flames, THERMO-MAN® helps DuPont scientists measure factors like garment construction, fabric weight, material type, style, fit, and the impact of outerwear and undergarments. Results of these tests are analyzed to determine the extent of predicted thermal protection Nomex® brand fiber provides versus other protective garment alternatives.

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Vertical Flammability Test (ASTM D-6413)  

This test, determines whether a fabric will ignite and continue to burn after exposure to an ignition source. This test is used to determine if a fabric is "flame-resistant." The Vertical Flame test is the most commonly used test in the FR industry. The test method sets criteria on how the test should be conducted (sample size, number of trials, type of flame, etc.), but does not establish performance requirements. Reported values are:

• The time the fabric continues to burn after the flame source is removed (after flame in seconds)
• The length of fabric that was damaged (char length in inches)
• The length of time the fabric continues to glow after the flames extinguish (after glow in sec). This value is often reported, but rarely used in performance standards.

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Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) Test
ASTM D4108-87  

This test predicts the amount of thermal protection a FR fabric would provide if exposed to a flash fire. The TPP value is defined as the exposed energy on the outside of the fabric to have enough energy to pass through the fabric to cause the onset of a second-degree burn if a person is wearing the fabric. The higher the TPP value, the more protective the fabric. Fabrics are tested with a space gap (1/4”) between the test sample and the heat sensor to measure the fabrics' ability to provide a barrier between the heat source and the skin ("spaced TPP"). Fabrics are tested in contact with the heat sensor to measure the fabrics' ability to provide thermal insulation ("contact TPP"). The ASTM D4108-87 test method is not current, but it is under revision and should be reinstated in the near future.

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Standard Test Method for Radiant Protective Performance (RPP)
ASTM F1939-99A  

This test is identical to the TPP test, with the exception that the heat source is 100% radiant heat. The RPP is defined as the radiant energy required to cause a second-degree burn when a person is wearing the fabric. The higher the RPP, the more protective the fabric.

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Mannequin Test
ASTM F1930-99  

This is a full-scale mannequin test designed to test fabrics in completed garment form in a simulated flash fire. A mannequin, with up to 122 heat sensors spaced around its body, is dressed in the test garment, then exposed to a flash fire for a pre-determined length of time. Tests are usually conducted at heat energies of 1.8- 2 cal/cm2sec, and for durations of 2.5 to 5.0 seconds for single layer garments. Results are reported in percentage of body burn.

For consistency in data and accuracy of comparison, the test method defines a standard garment size and configuration that must be used on each test. This is very important because mannequin test results are heavily dependent on garment fit and design. The standard mannequin test is not specifically designed to evaluate the protective performance of specific garment designs, although the test can also be used in this manner. Caution! Results of mannequin tests should be used to compare the relative performance of different FR fabrics. Results SHOULD NOT be used to predict the extent of body burn a wearer would receive in a real flash fire.

The ASTM mannequin test method was published very recently, and is just now being used by industry. Some of the mannequin test data used in the industry today was generated in "non-standard" ways. Different organizations used varying test procedures that affect results (for example, testing with and without underwear, different garment fits and styles). It is, therefore, very difficult to compare different manufacturers' mannequin test data at this time.

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Thermal Stability Test  

This test is defined in numerous National Fire Protection Association standards to measure the thermal stability of fabric and components. Garment materials are heated in a 500°F oven for 5 minutes, then observed for melting, dripping, separation and ignition. Most standards require that the fabric show no sign of these categories.

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Thermal Shrinkage Test  

This test is defined in numerous NFPA standards to measure the thermal shrinkage of fabric and components. Garment fabric swatches are heated in a 500°F oven for 5 minutes, then the thermal shrinkage (change in size) is measured. The performance requirement varies with each standard, but often the maximum shrinkage permitted is 10%.

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Standard Test Method for Determining the Ignitability of Non-Flame-Resistant Materials for Clothing by Electric Arc Exposure Method Using Mannequins
ASTM F1958  

This test method is used to determine the arc energy conditions under which garments made from 100% cotton or other flammable fabrics will ignite. This test is only used on flammable fabrics.

In this test, a mannequin is dressed in a shirt of standard design made from the specified weight of test fabric (e.g., 8 oz/yd2 100% cotton). The mannequin is then exposed to an electric arc of known energy. The tester records whether or not the garment ignites. The test is repeated many times at energies both below and above ignition to determine a statistically valid probability curve at which ignition is predicted to occur. New test garments must be used for each replicate, and a minimum of 50 replicates must be conducted to get statistically valid results.

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Standard Test Method for Determining the Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) of Materials for Clothing
ASTM F1959  

This test measures the amount of thermal protection a FR fabric would give a wearer if the person were exposed to an electric arc. The Arc Thermal Performance Value is defined as the arc incident energy required to cause the onset of second-degree burn. The higher the ATPV the more protective the fabric. Alternately, the energy required to break open the test fabric (EBT) is determined if an ATPV cannot be reached. Employers can use the ATPV and EBT value to select FR clothing that will protect workers from the expected arc exposure in their work environment.

This test is only done on flame-resistant fabrics. This test measures protection from the heat and flame by-products of an electric arc; it DOES NOT indicate any protection from contact with an electric arc (e.g. electric shock).

In this test, panels that contain heat sensors are covered with the test fabric. The panels are exposed to an electric arc of known energy. The temperature rise in the heat sensors behind the fabric is measured to determine whether or not sufficient heat was felt by the sensor to cause a second-degree burn based on burn prediction models. The test is repeated numerous times to determine ATPV or EBT values.

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