NBS SMOKE CHAMBER TEST (DETERMINING SMOKE GENERATION), ASTM E 662, NFPA 258: The Smoke Chamber Test appears in some Federal specifications and guides for building materials and has been adopted by the National Fire Protection Association as Standard No. 258.
Using either a radiant panel, or a combination of the panel and a six-prong burner, the specimen can be exposed to nonflaming (smoldering) as well as flaming conditions in this test. The test chamber is approximately 3 feet (915 mm) high, 3 feet (915 mm) wide, and 2 feet (610 mm) deep, encompassing a volume of about two-thirds of a cubic yard (0.52 m3). Exposed sample size is approximately 2-1/2 inches (63.5 mm) square, and it is held in a vertical position facing a radiant heat source. The radiant heater exposes the specimen to 2-1/2 W/cm2 of radiant energy. Generally the results of this test are expressed as the Maximum Specific Optical Density, Dm. The measurement is based on the obscuration of a columnated light beam passing vertically through the test chamber.
NOTE: Numerical flammability ratings alone may not define the performance of a product under actual fire conditions. These ratings provided only for use in the selection of products to meet specified limits.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT FLAMMABILITY REQUIREMENTS MAY GOVERN ACTUAL PRODUCT USE. SPECIFIERS SHOULD ALWAYS CHECK FLOOR FLAMMABILITY REQUIREMENTS IN ADDITION TO REFERENCE SPECIFICATIONS BEFORE MAKING A FLOOR COVERING SELECTION.
This is a summary. For copy of the latest version of ASTM E662 Standard Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid Materials, contact ASTM International at: https://www.astm.org/Standards/E662.htm