UL 94

Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances

UL 94

1 Scope

1.1 These requirements cover tests for flammability of polymeric materials used for parts in devices and appliances. They are intended to serve as a preliminary indication of their acceptability with respect to flammability for a particular application.

1.2 The methods described in this Standard involve standard size specimens and are intended to be used solely to measure and describe the flammability properties of materials, used in devices and appliances, in response to a small open flame or radiant heat source under controlled laboratory conditions.

1.3 The tests in the Standard for Tests for Flammability of Small Polymeric Component Materials should be used to evaluate small components which contain materials that can not be fabricated into standardized specimens in the minimum use thickness and subjected to applicable preselection tests in UL 94. Test procedures in UL 1694 are applicable to small components with an overall volume of less than 2500 mm3 (0.15 in3). UL 1694 is generally not applicable to small components with an overall volume greater than 2500 mm3 (0.15 in3).

1.4 The final acceptance of the material is dependent upon its use in complete equipment that conforms with the standards applicable to such equipment. The flammability classification required of a material is dependent upon the equipment or device involved and the particular use of the material. The performance level of a material determined by these methods shall not be assumed to correlate with its performance in end-use application. The actual response to heat and flame of materials depends upon the size and form, and also on the end-use of the product using the material. Assessment of other important characteristics in the end-use application includes, but is not limited to, factors such as ease of ignition, burning rate, flame spread, fuel contribution, intensity of burning, and products of combustion.

1.5 If found to be appropriate, the requirements are applied to other nonmetallic materials.

1.6 These tests, with the exception of the Radiant Panel Test in Section 10, are not applicable to the evaluation of parts where the thickness exceeds 13.0 mm or where the surface area exceeds 1 m2. These requirements do not cover polymeric materials when used for building construction, finishing, or contents such as wall and floor coverings, furnishings, decorative objects and so forth. In addition, the fire resistance (in terms of an hourly rating), flame spread, smoke characterization, and heat release rate is not evaluated. Other fire tests exist and shall be used to evaluate the flammability of materials in the intended end-use-product configuration.