Test Description
Test Purpose
This test is used to determine if unconfined samples, once ignited continue burning or transit to an explosion or detonation. A bed of sawdust, containing small samples of test material, is ignited and monitored. The test is “+” if explosion or detonation occurs. Materials that fail this test should be considered to have a mass explosion hazard.
Equivalence
This test is equivalent to UN Test 3 (d) in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria.
Test Variations
For solids, instead of a beaker, a conical pile of the substance can be tested, ignited by Kraft paper.
Key Parameters
| Key Parameter | Objectives | Origin | Specs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample mass | Provide sufficient mass to enable accurate characterization | (2) 10-gram samples (2) 100-gram samples |
|
| Fuel type and quantity | Create a fire of sufficient intensity and duration that engulfs and consumes the product to enable characterization | Approximately 100 g of sawdust and 200 mL of kerosene. Kerosene-soaked sawdust bed (specified as 30cm x 30cm x 1.3cm or 2.5cm) or Kraft paper | |
| Container | Readily allow the substance to be ignited with minor confinement | Thin-walled plastics beaker, just sufficient in size to contain the test substance and compatible with it |
Indicators
| Indicators | Detection Method | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Explosion | Observation of consumption rate and visual post-test inspection | Observation compared against the definition of a mass explosion hazard (one which affects almost the entire load virtually instantaneously). |
| Burn time of material | Visual observation with the aid of a timepiece | May be noted but does not affect the conclusion |
| Time to explosion | Visual observation with the aid of a timepiece | May be noted but does not affect the conclusion |
Ignite and Burn (-) Example Photo
