Operation and Application of Fabric Horizontal Burning Tester

The Fabric Horizontal Burning Tester is an instrument specifically designed to test the flammability of fabric materials under the influence of a fire source. This tester is widely used in the textile, apparel, automotive, construction, and other related industries to assess and ensure the safety of fabrics in extreme situations such as fires. 

Working Principle

The Fabric Horizontal Burning Tester is primarily used to measure the flammability of fabrics when exposed to a fire source in a horizontal position. Depending on different standards and testing methods, flammability performance typically includes burning rate, burning duration, and flame spread. Its core working principle is to simulate the fabric's reaction in a fire environment and evaluate the fabric's flammability behavior through set standards and parameters.

Fire Source Control

The tester provides a stable and controllable fire source, typically acetylene gas or other combustible gases ignited through a nozzle to form a flame. This flame's size, duration, and position are adjusted by the instrument's control system to ensure consistency in each experiment. When a flame source comes into contact with the fabric, the flame propagation characteristics of the fabric are assessed by recording phenomena such as flame spread, burning rate, and the occurrence of dripping.

Fabric Placement

The fabric horizontal burning tester requires the sample fabric to be placed on a horizontal support. The sample size is usually a specific specification, such as 200 mm × 200 mm. Before testing, the surface of the fabric must be flat and free of creases to ensure the accuracy of the test results. The distance and angle between the sample fabric and the flame source are also important parameters to set.

Combustion Process Monitoring

During the test, sensors and cameras are used to monitor the flame spread process in real time. This data is recorded and analyzed to evaluate the flame retardant performance of the fabric. During the test, the presence of smoke after the fabric burns, the speed of flame spread, and the burned area are also recorded.

Automation and Result Analysis

Most fabric horizontal burning testers are equipped with automated control systems that can automatically perform tests according to preset programs. These instruments typically have built-in data analysis functions that can automatically calculate and display the burning rate, flame spread time, and whether relevant safety standards are met.

Operating Procedures

The operation of a fabric horizontal flammability tester typically includes several steps: sample preparation, instrument calibration, experimental operation, and data analysis. To ensure testing accuracy, operators must strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures. The following are the general steps for operating a fabric horizontal flammability tester.

Sample Preparation

Select a suitable fabric sample: According to the testing requirements, select a fabric material that meets the standards. Common fabrics include natural fibers (such as cotton and wool) and synthetic fibers (such as polyester and nylon).

Cut the sample: Cut the fabric sample according to the specified dimensions (usually 200 mm × 200 mm), ensuring there are no wrinkles.

Sample treatment: If the fabric sample has special post-treatment requirements (such as coatings, fire retardants, etc.), it needs to be pre-treated according to the prescribed methods.

Instrument Calibration and Settings

Check the instrument parameters: Before conducting the experiment, it is necessary to check the settings of all instrument parameters, including flame temperature, flame height, sample placement, and burning time.

Ignite the ignition source: Use a suitable fuel gas (such as acetylene) to ignite the ignition source and adjust the flame intensity to meet the testing requirements.

Sensor Calibration: Check that the temperature and smoke sensors in the instrument are functioning properly to ensure the accuracy of the test data.

Experimental Procedure

Sample Placement: Place the fabric sample flat on a horizontal support, ensuring the distance between it and the flame source meets standards.

Test Start: Start the instrument and ignite the flame source. Maintain the test duration and the duration of flame contact with the fabric, recording the flame spread, burning rate, and flame residence time.

Observation and Recording: Observe the fabric's reaction under the flame using sensors and cameras, recording key events during the combustion process (such as flame spread rate, flame height, and dripping).

Data Analysis and Result Output

Data Processing: After the test, the instrument automatically processes the recorded data and outputs information such as burning rate, flame spread time, and burned area of ​​the fabric.

Result Evaluation: Analyze the flame-retardant properties of the fabric according to relevant standards to determine whether it meets fire safety requirements.

Practical Applications

Fabric horizontal flammability testers are widely used in various fields, especially in industries involving fabric safety, such as textile production, fire safety, construction, and the automotive industry. Specific applications include, but are not limited to, the following:

Textile Safety Assessment

In the textile production process, fabric horizontal flammability testers are key equipment to ensure that fabrics meet safety standards. By conducting flammability tests on fabrics, manufacturers can ensure the fire safety performance of their products. This is not only a requirement for producing qualified products but also a necessary step to comply with international or regional safety standards.

Apparel Industry

In the apparel industry, especially in the production of special-purpose clothing such as work clothes, fire suits, and children's clothing, fabric horizontal flammability testers are used to test the fire resistance of fabrics. By ensuring that these clothing materials perform safely when exposed to fire, safety hazards caused by clothing material issues can be effectively avoided.

Construction Industry

In the construction industry, especially in fire safety assessments of high-rise buildings, public places, airports, and other buildings, fabric horizontal flammability testers are used to evaluate the fire resistance of fabric decorative materials (such as curtains, carpets, and wallpaper) within buildings. By testing the flame spread rate of these decorative materials, architects and engineers can select suitable flame-retardant materials to improve building safety.

Automotive Industry

In the automotive industry, fabric horizontal burning testers are used to test the fire resistance of fabric materials such as seats and interior trim. Due to the risk of fire in car accidents, ensuring that the flame-retardant properties of all materials inside the vehicle meet standards is crucial.

Maintenance and Care

The fabric horizontal flammability tester is a precision instrument. Regular maintenance and care can extend its service life and ensure the accuracy of test results. The following are basic maintenance and care recommendations for this instrument:

Clean the Instrument

After use, the instrument's exterior and interior should be cleaned regularly. Pay particular attention to the ignition nozzle and sample holder, ensuring there are no residual combustibles or dirt.

Check the Gas System

Since the fabric horizontal flammability tester uses gas as an ignition source, the gas pipelines, gas nozzles, and gas flow control system must be checked regularly to ensure there are no leaks and that the gas flow is stable.

Sensor Calibration

Temperature, smoke, and other sensors in the instrument may develop errors over time. Therefore, regular calibration of these sensors is crucial to ensuring the accuracy of test data.

Check the Electrical System

Regularly check the instrument's electrical system, including the power supply, control panel, and cable connections, to ensure stable operation and prevent short circuits or poor contact.

Regular Testing and Adjustment

Periodic calibration tests should be performed on the instrument to ensure accurate data recording during testing. When necessary, the accuracy of the instrument can be ensured by adjusting the temperature and burning time of the fire source.

The fabric horizontal flammability tester, as an important safety testing device, plays a crucial role in various industries such as textiles, clothing, construction, and automobiles. Through scientific operating methods, accurate test results can provide strong data support for manufacturers and related industries, ensuring the fire safety of products. Regular instrument maintenance and upkeep not only extend the service life of the equipment but also ensure the accuracy of test data, thus contributing to broader public safety.