ISO 10093:2020

Overview

ISO 10093:2020 - Plastics - Fire tests - Standard ignition sources is an ISO compilation of laboratory ignition sources used in fire testing of plastics and products made substantially of plastics. The document describes and classifies a wide range of flaming and non‑flaming ignition sources (smouldering cigarettes, glow/hot wires, radiant heaters, diffusion and premixed flames, burners, wood cribs, etc.) and references the associated test standards. It is intended to help simulate realistic initial thermal abuse scenarios while providing consistency and repeatability for laboratory assessments.

Key topics and technical coverage

• Classification of ignition sources: flaming vs non‑flaming, diffusion vs premixed flames, smouldering (cigarette) sources.
• Ignition source characteristics: intensity, area of impingement, and typical uses for different test scales.
• Catalogue of commonly used laboratory sources, with examples found in standards development and test methods, including:
  • Smouldering cigarette sources (traditional and reduced‑ignition‑propensity types).
  • Glow‑wire and hot‑wire electrical ignition sources (references to IEC glow‑wire methods).
  • Radiant sources and cone calorimeter heaters (ISO 5660), conical radiant heaters, glowbars and LIFT radiant panels.
  • Diffusion flame sources such as needle flames, burning matches, burners producing 50 W / 500 W flames.
  • Premixed burners (e.g., 1 kW premixed flame), larger burners used in room‑corner and cable tray tests (20 kW venturi burners, ISO 9705 referenced).
  • Other sources: wood cribs, paper bags, infrared heaters and specialized burners for cable and product tests.
• Normative referencing: the standard points to detailed test standards (e.g., ISO 5660‑1, ISO 5659‑2, ISO 11925‑2, IEC 60695 series) rather than prescribing detailed procedures itself.
• Limitations: ISO 10093 is a compilation; it does not prescribe test procedures or claim to be fully comprehensive.

Practical applications and users

• Test laboratories and standards developers - to choose and harmonize ignition sources when drafting or comparing reaction‑to‑fire test methods.
• Manufacturers of plastics, components and finished products - to select appropriate ignition scenarios for product development, conformity assessment and design for fire safety.
• Fire safety engineers and regulators - for hazard assessment, test selection and interpreting which laboratory ignition sources best simulate real‑world risks.
• Research organizations - to standardize ignition inputs when studying ignition mechanisms or comparing material behaviour.

Related standards (examples)

• ISO 5660 (cone calorimeter heat release and smoke), ISO 5659‑2 (smoke generation), ISO 11925‑2 (single‑flame source), ISO 8191 (furniture ignition sources), IEC 60695 series (glow‑wire and hot‑wire methods).

Keywords: ISO 10093:2020, standard ignition sources, plastics fire tests, cone calorimeter, glow‑wire, needle flame, smouldering cigarette, radiant heater, flame spread, fire safety.