ASTM F2731 : 11

1.1 This test method provides procedures for measuring the combination of transmitted and stored energy that occurs in firefighter protective clothing material systems as the result of exposure to prolonged, relatively low levels of radiant heat.

1.1.1 This test method applies a predetermined compressive load to a preheated specimen to simulate conductive heat transfer.

1.1.2 This test method is not applicable to protective clothing systems that are not flame resistant.

1.1.3 Discussion—Flame resistance of the material system shall be determined prior to testing according to the applicable performance and/or specification standard for the material’s end-use.

1.2 This test method establishes procedures for moisture preconditioning of firefighter protective clothing material systems.

1.3 The second-degree burn injury used in this standard is based on a limited number of experiments on forearms of human subjects.

1.3.1 Discussion—The length of exposures needed to generate a second-degree burn injury in this test method exceeds the exposures times found in the limited number of experiments on human forearms.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to English units or other units commonly used for thermal testing.

1.5 This standard is used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response to radiant heat under controlled laboratory 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 appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary information is found in Section 7.