9.5 Heat release of the specimen
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Assembly - IMO Resolution A.653(16) – Recommendation on Improved Fire Test Procedures for Surface Flammability of Bulkhead, Ceiling and Deck Finish Materials – (Adopted on 19 October 1989) - Annex - Recommendation on Improved Fire Test Procedures for Surface Flammability of Bulkhead, Ceiling and Deck Finish Materials - 9 Derived Fire Characteristics - 9.5 Heat release of the specimen

9.5 Heat release of the specimen

 Both a heat release time curve and a listing of the' peak and total integrated heat release should be secured from the experimental data. They should be corrected for the non-linearity of the heat release calibration curve.

The curve of the millivolt signal from the stack thermocouples should include at least 30 s of the initial 3 min steady state verification period as well as the starting transient just prior to and following specimen insertion. In converting millivolt signals to heat release rate, the zero release level of the calibration curve should be set at the level of the initial steady state just prior to test of the specimen involved. See Figure 13.

Figure 13 Conversion of the millivolt signal rise ΔU to heat release rate of the specimen

9.5.1 Total heat release

 The total heat release is given by integration of the positive part of the heat release rate during the test period (see Figure 13).

9.5.2 Peak heat release rate

 The peak heat release rate is the maximum of the heat release rate during the test period (see Figure 13).


Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.