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Test for vertical flame spread of vertically-mounted bunched wires

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Cables may catch fire when they are involved in a fire. The way they behave depends upon several characteristics, including: the volume of the combustible material exposed to the fire, the geometric configuration of the cable, the temperature at which the gas emitted by the cables can be inflamed, the quantity of combustible gas issued, the volume of air that goes through the cable installation and the construction of the cable itself (screened, multi-polar or other).

The testing system, which is necessary to verify the propagation of the flame along a vertical bunch of cables, simulating a fire, is commonly called the "Vertical Chamber".


SIF, through collaboration with the most important testing and research institutes, comparing notes with customers and the scrupulous analysis of norms, has been able to develop a complete range of equipment for testing under conditions of fire, with particular attention to:

  • SAFETY NORMS
  • EASE OF INSTALLATION
  • CONFORMITY TO NORMS EN 50266 -1, IEC 60332-3-10 + Emendamento 1 (2008), prEN 50399


The true value added of the equipment are the innovative solutions created from the inventiveness of the Research & Development team, which has been able to unite creativity and engineering, in order to:

  • SIMPLIFY REGULATIONS
  • SUPPORT OPERATORS DURING TESTING
  • SAVE TIME IN SETTING UP TESTS

 

Elements included in the testing system

Vertical Chamber

(realised according to the latest versions of the norms)

Robust self-supporting structure
Internal interchangeable panels
Thermal insulation
Access door
Conduit for air intake
Air inlet box
Ladder

Air Intake System

Fan
Flow regulation panel
Conduit connection tube, with attachment for insertion of the measurement probe
Shutter

Cable support ladders

Standard and wide type

Burner group

Burner model supplied according to the requirements of norms for the two types of ladders.
Flexible connection tubes

Burner ignition group

Piezoelectric with flame detector thermocouple
Safety valve for cut off of gas in the event the flame is doused.

Burner regulation group

Mass flow meter or glass tube flow meter with propane gas calibration.
Mass flow meter or glass tube for air
Flow regulator
Pressure gauge for verification.
Instrument cabinet

SIF  INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

SIF FVTSIA@ (Patented pending)

Automatic system for the insertion and extraction of the ladder from the chamber without the intervention of the operator, in order to:
- Save time in setting up tests
- Guarantee operator safety
- Avoid loading operations that are burdensome for the operator

Lateral guides and self-supporting mechanical system, for:
- Rapid and easy changing of the ladder
- Ease in mounting and dismounting of cables
- Eliminate the use of auxiliary means of movement and assembly

Burner movement system

Permits easy manoeuvring during movement of the ladder and during calibration of the flame

Other options for the testing system

Electric block and tackle outside the chamber for insertion and removal of the ladder
Capacity measuring instrument

Provided with an SIT referable calibration certificate.

Designed for insertion of the thermocouple
Designed to accommodate fire prevention plant

The SYSTEM FOR HEAT RELEASE TEST ACCORDING TO STANDARD EN50399 can be integrated to the vertical cabin for the determination of the fire resistance class, it is composed of:

  • One or two-way special hood that allows the smoke to pass through the smoke analysis duct only during the Heat Release test or to pass through the other during the other tests. In this way it is possible to preserve the filters and the sensor and save on cleaning and maintenance costs
  • Gas Analysis Rack & Gas Transfer Lines including O2, CO2 or O2, CO2 and CO analyzer
  • Data acquisition module with PLC and PC software
  • Smoke opacity measurement system
  • Extraction fan for fumes


This system is useful for measuring the release of heat and the production of smoke on the cables during the flame development test to be able to detect the following parameters under defined conditions:

  • HRR heat release rate ;
  • THR total heat release;
  • SPR smoke production rate;
  • TSP total smoke production;
  • FS flame spread;
  • FIGRA fire growth rate index;
  • occurrence of flaming droplets/particles
  • E-value heat release per volume of oxygen consumed