BS 6853 Annex D: smoke density

BS 6853 Annex D: Methods for measuring smoke density

The smoke density measurement taken from a material under fire conditions gives an indication of the visibility through the smoke, this is important as reduced visibility in a real fire situation makes it more difficult to escape from a fire hence increasing the threat to human life from the toxic gases, flames and heat.

There are five different test methods which can be utilized to determine the smoke density produced from materials to be placed on passenger carrying trains in the UK.

The five different methods are as follows:

       • BS 6853 Annex D.8.3 – small scale test method

       • BS 6853 Annex D.8.4 – panel test method

       • BS 6853 Annex D.8.5 – seat test method

       • BS 6853 Annex D.8.6 – floor test method

       • BS 6853 Annex D.8.7 – cable test method

BS 6853 Annex D.8.3 is utilized for minor use materials (Tables 7 and 8 of BS 6853: 1999) and textiles (Table 11 of BS 6853: 1999).

BS 6853 Annex D.8.4 is utilized for interior and exterior vertical surfaces and horizontal prone surfaces (Tables 2, 3, 5 and 6 of BS 6853: 1999) and seat shell (table 10 of BS6853: 1999).

BS 6853 Annex D.8.5 is utilized for seats (Tables 9 of BS6853: 1999).

BS 6853 Annex D.8.6 is utilized for interior and exterior horizontal supine surfaces (Tables 1 and 4 of BS 6853:1999) and mattresses (table 12 of BS 6853: 1999).

BS 6853 Annex D.8.7 is utilized for interior and exterior cables (Tables 13 and 14 of BS 6853: 1999).

The test is performed inside a chamber measuring 3 metres by 3 metres by 3 metres and the test is sometimes referred to as the three metres cube test. The test duration is 40 minutes.

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