BS EN 60695-11-20:2015

What is BS EN 60695-11-20- Fire hazard testing about?   

BS EN 60695-11-20 describes a test method consisting of two small-scale laboratory test procedures which are intended to compare the burning behaviour of varied materials used in electrotechnical products.  

Vertically oriented bar specimens or horizontally oriented plate test specimens are exposed to a small flame ignition source with a nominal thermal power of 500 W. The test method uses two test specimen configurations to classify material performance. Rectangular bar-shaped test specimens are used to assess ignitability and burning behaviour, and square plate test specimens are used to assess the resistance of the test specimen to burn-through, as defined in 8.3.3. This test method only applies to materials that have been classified as V-0 or V-1 according to IEC 60695-11-10. 

BS EN 60695-11-20 describes a test method that consists of two small-scale fire test procedures carried out on materials used in electrotechnical equipment. A 500 W test flame is used as an ignition source. The test method described provides classifications that may be used for quality assurance, the pre-selection of component materials of products, or to verify the required minimum flammability classification of materials used in end products. This test method is only applicable to solid and cellular materials that have an apparent density of more than 250 kg/m3, determined in accordance with ISO 845. The method does not apply to materials that shrink away from the applied flame without igniting due to their thinness. BS EN 60695-11-20 is intended for use by technical committees in the preparation of standards in accordance with the principles laid down in IEC Guide 104 and ISO/IEC Guide 51. 

Who is BS EN 60695-11-20- Fire hazard testing for?  

BS EN 60695-11-20 on fire hazard testing is useful for:  

• Safety regulatory bodies 
• Firemen 
• Fire testing personnel 
• Quality assurance management 

Why should you use BS EN 60695-11-20- Fire hazard testing?   

In the design of an electrotechnical product, the risk of fire and the potential hazards associated with fire need to be considered. In this respect, the objective of component, circuit, and equipment design as well as the choice of materials is to reduce to a tolerable level of risk of fire even in the event of foreseeable (mis)use, malfunction, or failure. Fires involving electrotechnical products can also be initiated from external non-electrical sources. Considerations of this nature are dealt with in the overall fire hazard assessment. The intent of BS EN 60695-11-20 is to save lives and property by reducing the number of fires or reducing the consequences of the fire. This can be accomplished by: 

• Trying to prevent ignition caused by an electrically energized component part and, in the event of ignition, to confine any resulting fire within the bounds of the enclosure of the electrotechnical product. 
• Trying to minimize flame spread beyond the product’s enclosure and to minimize the harmful effects of fire effluents including heat, smoke, and toxic or corrosive combustion products. 

BS EN 60695-11-20 may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. BS EN 60695-11-20 does not purport to address all the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of BS EN 60695-11-20 to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN 60695-11-20:2015 supersedes BS EN 60695-11-20:1999 which is withdrawn. BS EN 60695-11-20:2015 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 60695-11-20:1999. These include: 

• The Part title has been modified to the singular – 500 W flame test method 
• Editorial changes have been made throughout the document for the purpose of aligning IEC 60695-11-10 with IEC 60695-11-20 
• The Introduction has been modified to clarify the description of the test method 
• The Scope has been modified for clarification 
• All occurrences of the term “fixture” have been deleted from BS EN 60695-11-20