Testing with the radiant panel in flooring is structured and aimed at measuring a material’s resistance to fire. The time needed for this test would vary from the material type, test parameters, and the specific standards that one wants to apply. An average for a single test will range from 20 to 30 minutes for one sample of the material under test, excluding the time of preparation.
The test consists of securing a flooring sample, 1050 mm long and 230 mm wide, to the testing apparatus. After proper securing, the sample is subjected to a radiant heat flux between 1.0 and 11.0 kW/m² to simulate real fire exposure. Measurement is done over the distance of flame spread along the surface of the material, while critical data such as the distance of flame spread, ignition time, and levels of heat flux are recorded.
According to the ASTM E648 and ISO 9239-1 standards, the test is continued until the flame spread stabilizes or extinguishes, which normally occurs within 20 minutes. However, researchers recommend repeating tests with multiple samples-usually three to five-to ensure accuracy. This additional testing increases the total time for a full assessment to approximately 2 to 3 hours, depending on laboratory workflows.
The critical radiant flux-the main result of the test-depicts the ability of a material to resist fire spread. For instance, Class I requires a CRF of at least 4.5 kW/m², usually obtained from flame-retardant-treated carpets and vinyl composite tiles, while untreated materials like wood composites or ordinary carpets are normally lower in CRF values, lying between 2.0 and 4.0 kW/m².
The preparation phase further adds to the total time required. Materials are first conditioned at 50% relative humidity and at a temperature of 23°C for at least 48 hours before testing. This conditioning phase follows standard protocols in order to remove variables that might affect flame behavior.
According to Dr. Michael Smith, a fire testing expert, “The flooring radiant panel test remains one of the most reliable methods for assessing fire performance, delivering results in under half an hour per sample while offering precise data for safety evaluations.” This efficiency helps manufacturers get materials certified to comply with safety regulations in transportation, healthcare, and commercial construction.
In all, the test of flooring radiant panel itself takes 20 to 30 minutes, but the whole process, including sample conditioning and multiple tests, may extend to some hours. This is important to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data. For further detail, please refer to the official Flooring Radiant Panel resource.