How to Operate the Building Combustion Performance Tester?

The Building Combustion Performance Tester is a specialized testing instrument used to evaluate the flammability, flame-retardant properties, and combustion characteristics of building materials under controlled flame conditions. It is widely applied in fields such as fire safety engineering, building material performance evaluation, and quality inspection.The primary purpose of this equipment is to assess the combustion characteristics and fire resistance performance of building materials, components, or structural elements under controlled conditions, thereby helping ensure building fire safety.

Operating Procedure for the Building Combustion Performance Tester

The Building Combustion Performance Tester is a key laboratory instrument specifically designed to scientifically evaluate the combustibility of various building materials under controlled flame exposure conditions. The following section provides a detailed description of the operation process and core procedures.

1. Sample Preparation

First, test samples must be prepared strictly according to the relevant testing standards.

For most conventional building materials, the standard specimen size should be 250 mm × 90 mm. However, if the material tends to melt, shrink, or drip under flame exposure (such as many plastics or foam polymers), a larger specimen size of 250 mm × 180 mm must be used to ensure the accuracy and comparability of test results.

During sample cutting, a standard template or precision cutting tool should be used. The edges of the specimen must be carefully inspected to ensure they are smooth, neat, and free from burrs or damage.

2. Sample Installation

The prepared samples must be securely clamped using the appropriate fixtures:

Standard specimens (250 × 90 mm) should be installed using the corresponding standard fixture.

Meltable or shrinkable materials (250 × 180 mm) should be installed using a large-size dedicated fixture.

The specimen is secured by tightening the wing nuts on the fixture, ensuring that it remains flat, stable, and properly aligned without looseness or tilting.

At this stage, the clamped sample fixture should not yet be mounted onto the horizontal support rod of the tester. The installation will be completed during the equipment calibration stage.

3. Equipment Preheating and Precise Calibration

Turn on the main power supply of the tester and allow the system to enter the preparation state.

According to the pre-testing or calibration requirements, set the initial ignition time on the control panel (for example, 5 minutes, which is convenient for equipment debugging and calibration).

Next, select the flame locator corresponding to the current testing mode and activate the burner device. The burner will automatically adjust to the standard working position at a 45-degree inclination.

Insert the flame locator carefully into the designated calibration slot in front of the burner nozzle to precisely determine the reference position where the flame will contact the sample surface.

After calibration is completed, mount the sample fixture onto the horizontal support rod. Adjust the fixture carefully in both vertical and horizontal directions until the lower edge of the sample aligns exactly with the flame contact point marked by the locator.

Once the alignment is confirmed, carefully remove the flame locator.

4. Precise Adjustment of the Test Flame

Proceed to the flame adjustment stage.

Press and hold the ignition button on the control panel while slowly adjusting the propane gas flow control valve. Through repeated fine adjustments of the gas flow, the flame height must be stabilized within the strict range of 20 ± 1 mm.

During this process, a specialized flame height measuring gauge must be used to verify the flame height in real time to ensure accuracy.

Special precautions include:

The fuel gas must meet purity requirements, typically propane with a purity of no less than 95%.

The laboratory environment must remain within the specified conditions:

Ambient temperature: 15–25°C

Relative humidity: not higher than 85%

These environmental conditions help eliminate external influences on the test results.

5. Formal Test Procedure

Before starting the formal test, place a drip collection tray at the designated position directly below the specimen. Two clean filter papers should be laid in the tray to collect any molten droplets generated during the test.

Next, set the standard flame application time in the control system (typically 15 seconds according to testing standards).

Once preparations are complete, press the “Start Test” button. The equipment will automatically execute the test procedure:

The burner moves automatically to the preset 45-degree angle.

A standard flame is applied to the lower edge of the specimen.

After the preset ignition time has elapsed, the burner automatically withdraws and returns to its original position.

The system then automatically begins recording the afterflame time, which refers to the time during which the specimen continues to burn with a visible flame after the ignition source has been removed.

The operator must closely observe the specimen. When either of the following conditions occurs, the “Afterflame Stop” button must be pressed immediately to record the final afterflame time:

The flame on the specimen completely extinguishes on its own, or

The flame front reaches the predefined marking line on the specimen

6. Data Recording and Post-Test Cleaning

After the test is completed, the operator must record several key performance parameters, including:

Afterflame time

Afterglow time (smoldering time without visible flame)

Presence and characteristics of molten dripping

Burned length of the specimen

All data should be accurately recorded in the test report.

After testing is completed:

First close the main propane gas valve to stop the gas supply.

Allow the burner and combustion chamber to cool naturally to a safe temperature.

Use the special cleaning brush provided with the equipment to thoroughly remove ash, carbonized residues, and other debris from the combustion chamber.

This cleaning step ensures that the equipment remains in good condition for the next test.

Safety Precautions

The operation of the Building Combustion Performance Tester must strictly comply with safety and operational regulations to ensure accurate results and operator safety.To ensure accurate testing results, long-term equipment stability, and operator safety, the following operational guidelines must be strictly followed.

1. Prevention of Mechanical Collision and Equipment Protection

Before starting the burner assembly for the first time, the sample holding device must be manually moved to a safe initial position away from the burner flame jet area.

Afterward, adjust the sample fixture position according to the actual installation position of the burner and testing requirements.

Any physical contact or collision between the burner nozzle and the sample fixture or its mounting components is strictly prohibited.

Such collisions can easily damage the precision gears inside the drive motor or cause misalignment in the transmission system. Mechanical damage caused by improper operation is typically not covered under the manufacturer's standard warranty.

2. Equipment Cleaning and Maintenance After Testing

After each test, the equipment must be inspected and cleaned regularly.

If combustion residues, molten droplets, or other contaminants are found on components such as:

The sample fixture

The horizontal support rod

The vertical support rod

they must be cleaned immediately.

The cleaning procedure is as follows:

Carefully remove the sample fixture from the horizontal support rod.

Detach the horizontal rod from the vertical main rod.

Use fine sandpaper or specialized cleaning tools to polish and remove dirt accumulated at connection points, especially at pins and insertion holes.

This maintenance procedure is essential to prevent the sample fixture from becoming stuck due to contamination, which could otherwise affect positioning accuracy in subsequent tests.

3. Gas Usage Specifications and Flame Adjustment

The tester must use high-purity propane gas with a purity of not less than 95% as the only fuel source. The use of other substitute gases or low-purity fuels is strictly prohibited.

Before operation and during periodic inspections, a leak detection solution or professional leak detection equipment must be used to ensure that all gas pipes, valves, and connections are free of leaks.

When adjusting the test flame height, follow this procedure:

Turn the flame adjustment knob until the internal spring is fully compressed (“tightened to the back position”).

Then slowly reverse-adjust the knob to achieve the desired flame height.

This method significantly improves gas flow stability and flame height reproducibility.

4. Precise Flame Calibration and Sample Positioning

Before the formal test begins, the following calibration and positioning procedures must be completed.

Flame Height Calibration

Use a special flame height measuring gauge to precisely adjust the flame height to 20 mm, with an allowable tolerance of ±1 mm (19–21 mm).

Calibration must be repeated whenever:

The gas cylinder is replaced

The equipment has been idle for a long period

Flame Positioning and Reset

A mechanical or optical locator supplied with the equipment must be used to accurately calibrate the relative position between the outer flame and the preset contact point on the lower surface of the specimen.

After the positioning adjustment is completed and verified, the burner assembly or locator device must be fully returned to its safe starting position before the automatic testing program is initiated.

In Conclusion,proper use of the Building Combustion Performance Tester is crucial for ensuring the safety evaluation of building materials and effective fire risk prevention.The instrument allows accurate determination of key combustion characteristics of materials, including:Burning rate、Heat release rate、Smoke toxicity.These data provide important scientific evidence for building design and material selection, thereby significantly improving the overall fire safety level of buildings.Therefore, during daily operation, it is essential to strictly follow standardized operating procedures and safety guidelines to ensure the accuracy and reliability of testing results.