Fire Testing

42. Smoke Density Test in accordance with IEC 61034-1 & IEC 61034-2
IEC 61034-1:2005 / EN 61034-1:2005 / BS EN 61034-1:2005 / DIN EN 61034-1:2006 / VDE 0482-1034-1:2006 Measurement of smoke density of cables burning under defined conditions. Part 1: Test apparatus
IEC 61034-2:2005 / EN 61034-2:2005 / BS EN 61034-2:2005 / DIN EN 61034-2:2006 / VDE 0482-1034-2:2006 / CEI EN 61034-2:2006 (CEI 20-37/3-1) Measurement of smoke density of cables burning under defined conditions. Part 2: Test procedure and requirements
The standard specifies a method of measurement of smoke density of cables. Part 1 specifies the test apparatus and Part 2 specifies the test procedure.
The test is usually performed inside a chamber of 3m x3m x3m and the test is sometimes described as 3 metre cube test. The test is performed by monitoring the tranmittance reduction of a white light beam, running from one side of the chamber to the other, at a set height, thus monitoring the build up of smoke inside the chamber. The minimum percentage of light transmittance is often used to determine if the cable has passed or failed the test , often a minimum light transmittance of 60% is applied in order to classify a cable as low smoke