Cone Calorimetry, ISO 5660, ASTM E1354 - Fire Testing Technology

iCone mini and iCone classic Calorimeters

ISO 5660; ASTM E1354; ASTM E1474; ASTM E1740; ASTM F1550; ASTM D6113; CAN ULC 135; BS 476 Part 15

Cone Calorimetery (ISO 5660; ASTM E1354) is the most significant bench scale instrumentation in the field of fire testing.

The FTT iCone Calorimeters have been produced to meet all existing Standards (including ISO 5660, ASTM E1354, ASTM E1474, ASTM E1740, ASTM F1550, ASTM D6113, CAN ULC 135 and BS 476 Part 15)

The iCone Calorimeter was the first in FTT’s new interactive range of calorimeters, called the i-series. It features the latest technology in control and automation making it the most advanced, reliable and user friendly Cone Calorimeter in the world. The iCone was launched in 2013. The iCone series is now completed by two semi-automatic models – the iCone mini which features a separate gas analysis rack and the iCone classic which has a fixed gas analysis console mounted on the instrument main frame. These have replaced the FTT Dual Cone and Standard Cone respectively. The iCone has undergone further modification on its fire model and glass protective screen. This upgrade version is now named as the iCone²⁺ , also for being the most advanced model in the range. The iCone series brings calorimetry to a new level of automation and make it available at different budget levels.

A full system on the iCone mini and iCone classic consists of:

Temperature Controller
Motorised Heat Shield
Spark Ignition
Specimen Holders
Specimen Spacers
Heat Resistant Glass Protective Screen
Load Cell
Gas Sampling
Combustion Gas Analysis
Smoke Obscuration Measurement
Exhaust System
Heat Flux Meter
Calibration Burner
Data Acquisition
ConeCalc Software – it is available in multi-languages including English, French, German, Spanish and Japanese. The user interface is a Windows based system with “user friendly” push button actions and standard Windows data entry fields, drop down selectors, check boxes and switches capable of:
◦ Instrument control and showing status of the instrument
◦ Calibration of gas analysis instrumentation and storage of calibration results
◦ C-factor calibration with the use of mass flow controller
◦ C-factor calibration via pool fire (ethanol) routine
◦ Collecting data generated during a test
◦ Calculating the required parameters
◦ Presenting the results in a manner in accordance with ISO 5660-1 and ASTM E1354
◦ Exporting calculated data to CSV (comma separated variable) files for quick transfer to spreadsheets.

Unique Features of FTT’s iCone mini and iCone classic:

Remote cone assembly positioning control, so that heater specimen surface separation can be adjusted pre and mid test, to facilitate testing of intumescing or thermally distorting specimens
Programmable heat flux exposure. Up to 10 consecutive heat flux ramping or holding can be programmed
Motorised heat shield to protect specimen from heat exposure before test
Motorised positioning and control of spark igniter to ignite the combustion gases from the specimen
Automatic/semi-automatic/manual calibration by ConeCalc Software
Load cell resolution of 0.01g and load capacity up to 8.2kg (Sartorius cell)
Load cell mounted on an independent table to avoid any vibration from exhaust fan
Fire model protection alarm system
Online support and remote control of instruments from FTT for internet connected system
Optional larger Cone ﬁre model for testing specimens with very low heat release rates. 150mm × 150mm specimens are exposed to uniform heat flux over entire surface
Optional fully integrated FTIR gas analysis system supplied with heated sampling module, heated lines/probes and PLC controller