Overview
ISO/TS 21397:2021 - FTIR analysis of fire effluents in cone calorimeter tests specifies a method to quantify the kinetics and yields of gaseous emissions from specimens exposed to radiant heat in a cone calorimeter. Using Fourier‑Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy (per ISO 19702) it produces time‑resolved concentrations (µL/L) and calculated gas yields (mg/kg) by combining FTIR measurements with specimen mass loss data from the cone calorimeter. The procedure is intended for small representative specimens and applies to well‑ventilated cone calorimeter scenarios.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Measurement principle: Continuous, time‑resolved gas analysis by FTIR with yields derived from measured gas concentrations and specimen mass loss.
- Target outputs: Gas volume fractions (µL/L), total mass of gas evolved (g), and gas yields (mg/kg or g/g).
- Gas measurement system: Required components include a sampling probe (ISO 5660‑1 ring probe or linear multi‑hole probe), heated primary (and optional secondary) filter, heated sampling line, heated FTIR gas cell with pressure transducer, pump, and flow meter. System must avoid condensation by maintaining appropriate temperatures.
- Sampling details: Probe positioning and probe hole sizing are specified; tee‑connections and proximity to sampling ring are important to minimize cooling and response delay.
- Calibrations & validation: Cone calorimeter calibration and FTIR gas analyser calibration are required; validation methods reference ISO 12828 series for detection/quantification limits and intralaboratory validation.
- Data handling: Procedures for calculating total mass loss, gas mass produced, yields, and upper limits are defined; response‑time assessment of the measurement chain is recommended (per ISO 19702).
- Scope limits: Results are relevant to the cone calorimeter (well‑ventilated) scenario only. Toxicity assessment and interpretation are outside this document’s scope.
Applications and users
ISO/TS 21397:2021 is useful for:
- Fire testing laboratories seeking quantitative gas emission data during cone calorimeter tests.
- Fire safety engineers and researchers modeling fire effluent composition and temporal emission profiles.
- Materials and product developers evaluating combustion behaviour, smoke composition, and designing lower‑emission formulations.
- Regulatory and standards bodies needing standardized gas yield data for comparison or input to risk assessments.
Note: This technical specification supports fire safety engineering and material development but does not itself provide toxicity interpretation; see ISO 13571 and ISO 13344 for toxicity evaluation workflows.
Related standards