VW-1 (Vertical) Combustion Test
1080.1: During the application of standard test flame to the vertical specimen for 5 times, each time lasting for 15 seconds, during the flame application intervals, or after the flame application, a) the flame shall not propagate along its length; b) the flame shall not propagate to nearby combustible materials.
The standard test flame has a nominal height of 125 mm and emits heat at a nominal rate of 500 W (1700 Btu/h). If the flame on the test specimen goes out within 15 seconds or less, the flame supply interval should be 15 seconds; if the flame on the test specimen lasts for more than 15 seconds, the flame supply interval should be the flame burning time. The test should be conducted as described in Sections 1080.2-1080.13, using one of the fuels described in Section 1080.3 and a standard laboratory burner as described in ANSIASTM D 5025-94. The gas flame produced by the burner should be calibrated as described in ANSIASTM D 5207-91. The test results should be evaluated as indicated in Section 1080.14.
1080.12 The blowtorch should be tilted forward into position to apply the gas flame to the specimen. The blowtorch should be held in this position for 15 seconds, then quickly tilted backward to the stop position to remove the gas flame from the specimen for 15 seconds (if the specimen continues to burn, the gas flame should be removed from the specimen for a longer period, see 1080.13). This cycle should be repeated until a total of 5 applications of the gas flame to the specimen for 15 seconds each are achieved, with a 15-second interval between applications (if the specimen continues to burn, the gas flame should be removed from the specimen for a longer period, see 1080.13). If the flame of the specimen automatically goes out within 15 seconds or less after the last application, the specimen should be reapplied after a 15-second interval.
1080.13 If the flame of the test sample continues to burn for more than 15 seconds after the last application of fire, wait for the flame on the test sample to automatically extinguish before applying fire to the test sample again. Immediately after the flame of the test sample extinguishes, apply a gas flame to the test sample. Tilt the blowtorch forward to apply the gas flame to the test sample and then tilt it backward to allow the flame to move away from the test sample. Both actions should be completed quickly and with minimal disturbance to the airflow around the test sample.
1080.14 If the indicator flag on any sample is burned or charred by 25% or more (ignorable soot or brown baked parts that can be wiped off with a cloth or finger) after any of the 5 applications of fire, the wire, cable, or cord shall be rated as capable of propagating a flame along its length. If any sample emits burning or hot particles or burning droplets that ignite cotton layers (carbonization of cotton layers without flame is negligible) at any time, or if the sample continues to burn for more than 60 seconds after any application of fire, the wire, cable, or cord shall be rated as capable of propagating a flame to nearby combustible materials. If any sample emits burning or hot particles or burning droplets that fall outside the cotton-covered test area and/or onto the wedge or burner at any time, the test results shall be discarded and the test repeated. During the retest, the cotton layer covers a test surface centered on the vertical axis of the sample, with a width of 12 inches or 305 mm and a length of 14 inches or 355 mm, and the specified cotton layer is clamped (or otherwise secured) to the wedge (with no cotton layer under the wedge) and around the base of the burner. During the retest, no cotton layer shall be ignited after any application of fire, and the sample shall not continue to burn for more than 60 seconds.