Non-Combustibility Apparatus Test is designed to assess the non-combustibility performance of the building and railway material under a 750°C furnace. This test measures whether the material will ignite (non-combustibility performance), increase the furnace temperature, or lose significant mass when exposed to extreme heat. It is used to assess the flammability performance class of materials, such as EN 13501-1, EN 45545-2, DIN 4102, DIN 5510-2, IMO FTP Code, etc.
Bomb calorimeter is used to measure the heat of combustion of a substance in a controlled, oxygen-rich environment. A specimen and certified benzoic acid in specified masses and ratios are burned completely in a sealed high-pressure container (Bomb) supplied with oxygen to ensure complete combustion. This bomb is submerged in water-filled vessel, where the water absorbs the heat released during combustion. The changes in water temperature, taking into account of heat loss and the latent heat of vaporization of water is used to calculate the heat of combustion of the specimen at given conditions.
p>The gross heat of combustion obtained from a bomb calorimeter test is used to classify building products under the EN class A1 and A2 ratings as defined by EN 13501-1 (SANS 53501-1).
This test is used to determine the ignitability of products by a direct small flame impingement to vertically mounted specimens without additional irradiance. Single-Flame Source Test is widely used to assess the flammability performance class of construction or railway material, such as EN 13501-1, EN 45545-2, DIN 4102, DIN 5510-2 etc. Ignitability test covers building products and insulation materials intended for wall, ceiling, and cladding applications including:
This test is limited to measuring a material’s response to a 20 mm propane flame impingement on a vertically orientated sample under zero external radiant heat. The 20 mm flame is applied to the surface of the material for 15 and 30 seconds and the behavior including ignition, fire spread and the fire distance are observed and recorded. The results are used in SANS 53501-1 classification.
SBI Test evaluates how building material reacts to a localized fire. A specimen is mounted in the corner of the trolley positioned underneath the exhaust system. The specimen is then exposed to a propane-fuelled sandbox ignition source with burning output of approximately 30.7kw. The combustion gases generated are collected by the extraction system, where the calorimeter system samples the gas/smoke and sends it to the gas analyzer where the heat release (THR600S, MJ), heat release rate (HRR, kW), smoke production rate (SMOGRA, m2/s2), growth rate (FIGRA, W/s), and total smoke production (TSP600s) are automatically calculated. In the meantime, the specimen behaviour such as lateral flame spread (LFS), flaming particles and droplets, deformation etc. are recorded.
The ISO 9705 Room/Corner Test is a globally recognized, full-scale fire test designed to evaluate how internal wall and ceiling lining materials contribute to fire growth and flashover. It simulates a realistic, well-ventilated corner fire scenario. This test provides data on the material such as the heat release, smoke release, combustion products release, and the potential for fire spread beyond the room, under the specific simulated conditions.
The testing chamber is a small, enclosed room that replicates as-built construction conditions:
Cone calorimeter designed based on ISO 5560-1 standard is used to evaluate the heat release rate and the dynamic smoke production rate of specimens exposed in the horizontal orientation to controlled levels of irradiance with an external igniter. The heat release rate is determined by the measurement of the oxygen consumption derived from the oxygen concentration and the flow rate in the combustion gas. The dynamic smoke production rate is calculated from the measurement of the attenuation of a laser light beam by the combustion gas. The heat release rate and smoke obscuration are recorded for the entire test, regardless of whether the specimen is flaming or not.
ISO 5660-1 is the definitive international standard for evaluating how materials react to fire using a cone calorimeter. It measures critical fire safety parameters including the heat release rate (HRR), time to ignition, and dynamic smoke production by observing how much oxygen a burning specimen consumes.
NES 713 (Naval Engineering Standard 713) Toxicity Test Chamber evaluates the potential acute toxicity of smoke and gases produced when the material is burned under specified conditions. The gas concentration is derived to a combined toxicity index to evaluate the performance. This test is designed based on the NES 713 standard which is used to calculate the Toxicity Index of smoke and toxic gases released when materials burn. It is a critical compliance assessment primarily required in military, maritime, aerospace, and rail industries to ensure occupant and personnel safety during a fire.
Conforming to the ISO 8301 and ASTM C518 standards, the FOX 314 Heat Flow Meter measures thermal conductivity by applying a controlled temperature differential across the insulation material. This testing is essential for product development, quality control, and regulatory compliance across the global construction, automotive, and electronics industries.
Testometric Test offers both compressive and tensile strength ability. Compressive strength is tested by compressing a sample between two parallel plates to measure how much force it can withstand before deforming or failing. Tensile strength is measured by stretching the material at both ends and applied to tension until it ruptures. The force applied and elongation are measured to get tensile strength. Tensile strength is characterized as the greatest pressure that a material can oppose without breaking or cracking thus determining the material’s durability and safety. This test is conducted according to ASTM D695 / ASTM C165 – Compressive properties of rigid plastic and thermal insulation and ASTM D638/ ISO 527 – Tensile properties.
This test is suitable for building and insulation material including but not limited to:
Where SANS standards adopt or reference international methods, testing is conducted in accordance with the applicable requirements.
Specifies the test methods used to determine the non-combustibility of building materials, thermal insulation products, and specialized fire-suppression media in South Africa.
Specifies a reaction-to-fire test method for determining the gross heat of combustion (calorific value) of building products.
Specifies a test method for determining the ignitability of building products and construction materials by direct small-flame impingement under zero impressed irradiance.
Specifies the Single Burning Item (SBI) test method for determining the reaction-to-fire performance of building products.
International standard test method used to evaluate how wall and ceiling lining products contribute to fire growth and flashover in a room.
International standard that specifies the Cone Calorimeter method for measuring the heat release rate and dynamic smoke production rate of materials exposed to controlled levels of radiant heat.
A standard test method used to determine the toxicity index of the products of combustion from small material specimens
A standardized test method used to measure the steady-state thermal transmission properties
Standard test method used to determine the compressive properties, such as compressive strength and modulus of elasticity, of rigid cellular plastics and foams