IS 15061 Automotive Vehicles Flammability Requirements - Equipment
What is IS 15061?
IS 15061 is an Indian standard, it applies to assess the burning behaviour (Ignitability, burning rate, melting behaviour) of interior materials used in motor vehicles of category M3 carrying more than 22 passengers. It is not applied for standing passengers and urban use (city buses).
The latest version of IS 15061 is 2002, and it was reaffirmed in 2022.
In India, vehicles are categorized as Category A, C, L, M, N, T.
Where, Category M means a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying passengers.
Category M1: Means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of passengers, comprising not more than 8 seats in addition to the driver's seat.
Category M2: Means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of passengers, comprising 9 or more seats in addition to the driver's seat and having a maximum gross vehicle weight not exceeding 5 tons.
Category M2G: Means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of passengers, comprising 9 or more seats in addition to the driver's seat and having a maximum gross vehicle weight not exceeding 5 tons and additional off-road (cross country vehicle) capabilities.
Category M3: Means a motor vehicle used for the carriage passengers, comprising 9 or more seats in addition to the driver's seat and having a maximum gross vehicle weight exceeding 5 tons.
Category M3G: Means a motor vehicle used for the carriage passengers, comprising 9 or more seats in addition to the driver's seat and having a maximum Gross Vehicle Weight exceeding 5 tons and having additional off-road cross country vehicle) capabilities.
In IS 15061, it defines 3 test methods to assess the material performance:
Annex A, Test to determine the horizontal burning rate of materials.
Annex B, Test to determine the vertical burning rate of materials.
Annex C, Test to determine the melting behavior of material.
It correspondings to 3 test apparatuses to conduct 3 tests:
Annex A, Flammability of Automotive Materials Tester
Annex B, Vertical Flame Tester
Annex C, Dripping Test Apparatus
Annex A Test to Determine the Horizontal Burning Rate of Materials
The Flammability of Automotive Materials Tester is designed to evaluate the burn resistance performance of the interior materials used in the occupant compartments of motor vehicles.
During the test, the specimen is mounted on the U-shape specimen holder, the specimen is inserted horizontally into the test chamber, and a 38mm height flame is applied to the specimen for 15 seconds. The flame spread time and distance are recorded to calculate the material's horizontal burning rate.
Features
The test chamber is made of stainless steel with a wall thickness of 2mm, which is not easily deformed during the combustion test.
The chamber is equipped with a toughened glass transparent viewing window which allows easy observation by the engineer.
Ten 19mm ventilation holes in the bottom of the chamber with 13mm wide ventilation slots all around.
Provides a bunsen burner and a precise valve to adjust flame height to 38mm.
Provides an ISO 3795 standard φ9.5mm burning tube, the burning tube can be fast exchanged.
A stainless steel made collection tray for molten drips at the bottom of the chamber.
A U-shaped stainless steel specimen holder that can be inserted smoothly from the right side of the chamber.
A U-shaped specimen holder with heat-resistant wires for soft materials.
The timer can be automatically activated after the specimen holder is inserted.
The application flame can be automatically cut off after the start of the test.
Test Results:
Burning rate, in mm/min.
Annex B Test to Determine the Vertical Burning Rate of Materials
The Vertical Flame Tester is designed to measure the flame spread times of vertically oriented textile fabrics and industrial products in the form of single or multi-component fabrics (coated, quilted, multilayered, sandwich combinations, and similar combinations) when subjected to a small, defined flame.
A defined flame from a specified burner is applied to the bottom edge of textile specimens that are vertically oriented. The flame spread times in seconds for the flame front to travel between marker threads positioned adjacent to the surface of the test specimen and located at three distances from the igniting flame, are recorded.
Features
The Vertical Flame Tester consists of a test flame, burner, time recording device, and control cabinet.
The tester is separated from the test frame and control cabinet to obtain a safe and flexible installation.
The test frame is stainless steel made, and the sample holder is copper made.
Standard burner, equips with spark ignitor and angle turning device, automatic turn to 0, 45, 90 degrees.
Flame apply time is adjustable and auto cut off.
Time recording device, auto record the time of flame spread to 1st, 2nd, 3rd line.
Equip with PLC controller and English interface.
Key Test Results:
Burning rate, in mm/min.
Annex C Test to Determine the Melting Behaviour of Materials
The Dripping Test Apparatus is used to determine the melting behaviour of materials under a 500W radiant heat source.
A specimen is placed in a horizontal position and exposed to a 500 electric radiator, some cotton wool is put in the receptacle under the specimen and verify if any drops from melting specimen is flaming.
Features
France's original epiradiator-type heat radiation source, power rated at 500W, which radiant surface is made of a translucent vitreous fused silica disk of 100 mm diameter.
A movable handle device allows to slightly turn the epiradiator above the specimen or remove it.
Specimen support stand, with height adjustment function.
A receptacle is positioned 300mm under the specimen holder to collect the drops.
A power control unit for epiradiator radiant rate control, with adjustable electric heater power and numerical display of power.
Water-cooled heat flux meter in accordance with IS 15601 Annex C, measuring range of 0-10 W/cm2.
Water-cooling device for heat flux meter.
Digital heat flux display of heat flux, with a resolution of 0.1 W/cm2.
Test Results:
Flaming drops or not.
Ignition of cotton wool or not.
Performance Criteria of IS 15061
| IS 15061 | Performance Criteria |
|---|---|
| Annex A Horizontal Burning Rate | Not more than 100mm/min. |
| Annex B Vertical Burning Rate | Not more than 100mm/min. |
| Annex C Melting Behaviour | No drops is formed which ignites the cotton wool. |
Summary
IS 15061 is designed to assess the burning behaviour (Ignitability, burning rate, melting behaviour) of interior materials used in motor vehicles of category M3 carrying more than 22 passengers in India.
It helps to ensure the particular material matches the requirements of the Indian market in terms of safety as per the Central Motor Vehicle Rules.