Burning Behaviour Testing
CONTACT USOur UK laboratory generates burning behaviour test data for your combustible dust and powders. This dust explosion test is conducted to assess the behaviour (severity) of combustion propagation through a material deposit when ignited by an external ignition source.
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Frequently asked questions
What are your Standards & Schedule of Accreditation
VDI 2263 and BS EN 17077
What is the Burning Behaviour test?
The burning behaviour test method is conducted to assess the behaviour (severity) of combustion propagation through a material deposit when ignited by an external ignition source.
How does the Burning Behaviour test work?
A small strip is formed onto a heat-resistant, non-porous plate and ignition trials are performed using a hot (1000 °C) platinum wire. The burning behaviour is numerically rated from 1 (material does not ignite) to 6 (supports rapid combustion) in accordance with the test standards characterisation table. The rating is known as “CC” or Combustibility Class and testing is performed at ambient and elevated environmental temperature conditions.
What does Burning Behaviour data do?
Burning behaviour data provides information on how materials react when exposed to fire or heat. This test data enables clear categorisation for materials.
| Type of Reaction | CC | Reference Product | |
| No spreading of fire |
No ignition | 1 | Table Salt |
| Brief ignition and rapid extinction | 2 | Tartaric Acid | |
| Localized combustion or glowing with practically no spreading | 3 | Lactose | |
| Fire spreads | Glowing without sparks, (smouldering) or slow decomposition without flame | 4 | Tobacco |
| Burning with flame or spark generation | 5 | Sulphur | |
| Very rapid combustion with flame propagation or rapid decomposition without flame | 6 | Black Powder | |
What are the benefits of the Burning Behaviour test?
When the burning behaviour of solid material is known, fires or explosion dust hazards caused as a result of the introduction of open flames, hot embers or friction heat (on bearing failure) can be predicted and then avoided or mitigated. It also can be used as a screening tool to highlight the flammability requirements of materials that should be classified as a ‘flammable solid’ for safe handling and dangerous goods transportation.