INTERNATIONAL ISO

STANDARD 340

Fifth edition
2022-05

Conveyor belts — Laboratory scale

flammability characteristics —
Requirements and test method
Courroies transporteuses — Caractéristiques d'inflammabilité
d'échelle de laboratoire — Exigences et méthode d'essai

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ISO 340:2022
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340-2022

Reference number
ISO 340:2022(E)

© ISO 2022
ISO 340:2022(E)

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ISO 340:2022
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340-2022

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT

© ISO 2022
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
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Published in Switzerland

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 ISO 340:2022(E)

Contents Page

Foreword......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... iv
1 Scope.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
2 Normative references...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
3 Terms and definitions..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
4 Requirements........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
4.1 Periods of afterflame (after removal of the burner).............................................................................................. 2
4.2 Non-reappearance of flame (after applying a current of air)......................................................................... 2
4.3 Regional requirements..................................................................................................................................................................... 2
5 Test method................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
5.1 Health and safety................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
5.1.1 Smoke and fumes................................................................................................................................................................ 2
5.1.2 Handling, storage and disposal of liquefied petroleum gas containers............................. 2
5.2 Principle........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
5.3 Test pieces.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
5.3.1 General......................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
5.3.2 Conveyor belting with a textile carcass.......................................................................................................... 3
5.3.3 Steel cord conveyor belts............................................................................................................................................. 3
5.4 Apparatus..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
5.5 Location of test........................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
5.6 iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
Conditioning of test pieces............................................................................................................................................................ 6
5.7 Procedure..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
5.8 (standards.iteh.ai)
Expression of results.......................................................................................................................................................................... 6
6 Test report................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Bibliography.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
ISO 340:2022 8
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340-2022

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ISO 340:2022(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
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expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
(standards.iteh.ai)
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 41, Pulleys and belts (including veebelts),
Subcommittee SC 3, Conveyor belts, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization
ISO 340:2022
(CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 188, Conveyor belts, in accordance with the Agreement on technical
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cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
340-2022
This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition (ISO 340:2013), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— normative references updated;
— terminological entry added;
— regional requirements added in Clause 4;
— Clause 5 revised by addition of illustrations, clarifications and tolerances.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 340:2022(E)

Conveyor belts — Laboratory scale flammability

characteristics — Requirements and test method
CAUTION — This method of test is not designed to assess the fire hazard of any given product.
The results may help in the assessment of ignition hazard but should not be used in isolation as
evidence that a product or material is safe.

1 Scope
This document specifies a method for assessing, on a small scale, the reaction of a conveyor belt to an
ignition flame source. It is applicable to conveyor belts having a textile carcass as well as steel cord
conveyor belts.

2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

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ISO 8056-1, Aircraft — Nickel-chromium and nickel-aluminium thermocouple extension cables — Part 1:
Conductors — General requirements and tests
ISO 9162, Petroleum products(standards.iteh.ai)
— Fuels (class F) — Liquefied petroleum gases — Specifications
EN 12882, Conveyor belts for general purpose use - Electrical and flammability safety requirements
ISO 340:2022
14973, Conveyor belts for use in underground installations - Electrical and flammability safety
EN https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/8df1c498-4a55-4471-9164-d72fbd2ff8c1/iso-
requirements
340-2022

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://​w ww​.iso​.org/​obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://​w ww​.electropedia​.org/​
3.1
afterflame
flame (3.3) that persists after the ignition source has been removed
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.11]
3.2
afterflame time
length of time for which an afterflame (3.1) persists under specified conditions
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.12, modified — Note 1 to entry has been deleted.]
3.3
flame, noun
zone of combustion in the gaseous phase, usually with emission of light

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ISO 340:2022(E)

3.4
flame, verb
to flare up in the gaseous phase with emission of light
3.5
afterglow
persistence of glowing combustion after both removal of the ignition source and the cessation of any
flaming combustion
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.13]
3.6
afterglow time
length of time for which an afterglow (3.5) persists under specified conditions
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.14]

4 Requirements

4.1 Periods of afterflame (after removal of the burner)

The sum of the periods of flame for each of the series of six tests (see 5.3) shall be less than 45 s and no
individual value shall be greater than 15 s (see 5.7.5).

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4.2 Non-reappearance of flame (after applying a current of air)
(standards.iteh.ai)
The flame shall not reappear (see 5.7.6).

4.3 Regional requirements

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In countries of the European Single Market, the requirements specified in 4.1 and 4.2 are replaced by
the requirements for the applicable class specified340-2022
in EN 12882 for conveyor belts for general purpose
use and EN 14973 for conveyor belts for use in underground installations.

5 Test method

5.1 Health and safety

5.1.1 Smoke and fumes

The ignition and burning of polymeric materials can cause smoke and toxic gases to be released, which
can affect the health of operators. It is therefore of great importance that suitable means be provided to
clear the test area of smoke and fumes.

5.1.2 Handling, storage and disposal of liquefied petroleum gas containers

It is important to be aware of all the relevant local safety regulations for the handling and storage of
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and for the disposal of used LPG containers.
If local safety regulations require the LPG cylinders to be stored in an environment that is cooler
than the test area or some distance from the test rig, a sufficient length of tubing is needed inside the
controlled environment to ensure that the gas equilibrates to the required temperature before flow
measurement. One way to facilitate this is to pass the gas (before flow measurement) through a metal
tube immersed in water maintained at 25 °C.

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 ISO 340:2022(E)

5.2 Principle
A test piece cut from a conveyor belt is suspended vertically above a gas flame for a specified time, after
which the gas flame is removed. The afterflame time is measured. Any re-flame is noted when the test
piece is later subjected to a current of air.

5.3 Test pieces

5.3.1 General

The test pieces described in 5.3.2 and 5.3.3 shall be taken at a minimum distance of 50 mm from the
edges of the belt.

5.3.2 Conveyor belting with a textile carcass

5.3.2.1 For tests on conveyor belts with and without covers

5.3.2.1.1 Prepare 12 test pieces, each (200 mm ± 5 mm) × (25 mm ± 1 mm) as follows:

a) three test pieces, with covers intact, in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt;
b) three test pieces, with covers intact, in the transverse direction of the conveyor belt;
c)
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three test pieces, with covers removed (see 5.3.2.1.2), in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor
belt;
d) (standards.iteh.ai)
three test pieces, with covers
belt.
removed (see 5.3.2.1.2), in the transverse direction of the conveyor

ISO 340:2022
5.3.2.1.2 Covers may be removed [see 5.3.2.1.1 c) and d)] by stripping, cutting or buffing. If covers are
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removed by buffing, care should be exercised to ensure that the test piece is not overheated or that any
threads of a textile carcass are not damaged. 340-2022
The covers of textile conveyor belts shall be removed on both sides. This is typically achieved when the
top of the fabric knuckles is consistently visible for the majority of the sample area exposing only skim
material. The knuckles shall not be damaged or frayed.

5.3.2.2 For tests on conveyor belts with covers intact

If the product specification requires the test to be conducted on conveyor belts with the covers intact,
conduct only six tests on test pieces as described in 5.3.2.1.1 a) and b).

5.3.2.3 For tests on conveyor belts designed for use without covers

If the product specification requires the tests to be carried out with conveyor belts that have
been developed for use without covers, only six test specimens (three test specimens from
the longitudinal direction and three test specimens from the transverse direction) measuring
(200 ± 5) mm × (25 ± 1) mm shall be taken from the conveyor belt and being tested. As these conveyor
belts are designed without covers no material will be removed from the conveyor belts according to
5.3.2.1.2.

5.3.3 Steel cord conveyor belts

5.3.3.1 For tests on conveyor belts with covers intact

If the product specification requires the test to be conducted on conveyor belts with the covers intact,
cut six test pieces in the longitudinal direction of the belt, each 200 mm ± 5 mm long, as close as possible

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ISO 340:2022(E)

to 25 mm wide depending on the cord diameter and pitch. Each test piece shall be at least 20 mm wide
and contain at least two cords, with the cut edges representing the centreline between adjacent cords.

5.3.3.2 For tests on conveyor belts with covers removed

If the product specification requires the test to be conducted on conveyor belts without covers, cut six
test pieces as described in 5.3.3.1 and remove the covers, e.g. by stripping, cutting or buffing.
The covers of steel cord conveyor belt samples shall be removed on both sides so that the surface of the
steel cords of the conveyor belt sample is visible.

5.4 Apparatus
The following apparatus and equipment shall be used.

5.4.1 Gas burner (Bunsen type), having a burner tube with an inside diameter of (10 ± 0,5) mm, as
illustrated in Figure 1.

5.4.2 Commercial propane gas, as specified in ISO 9162.

Dimensions in millimetres

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340-2022

Key
1 thermocouple (see 5.4.6)
a Direction of air current to be applied after removal of burner.

Figure 1 — Illustration of gas burner and test piece configuration during test

5.4.3 Timing devices, capable of being read to 0,2 s or less.

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 ISO 340:2022(E)

5.4.4 Measuring devices, graduated in millimetres or submultiples of millimetres and calibrated to

an appropriate accuracy.

5.4.5 Test piece holder and location clips, consisting of a rectangular frame not less than 520 mm
high, having two sides spaced at least 75 mm apart on which are installed suitable devices for holding
the test piece in a vertical plane at least 20 mm from the frame, e.g. clips or wing screws. The frame is
fitted onto a suitable support to maintain the sides in a vertical orientation during the test. Figure 2
shows the test piece holder and one possible way of mounting the sample.

As some products of combustion are corrosive, the test apparatus should be constructed of material
that will not be adversely affected.
Dimensions in millimetres

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340-2022

Key
1 M6 wing screw
a This bolt is only an example. Any suitable holding device can be used.

Figure 2 — Test piece holder

5.4.6 Calibrated NiCr/NiAl thermocouple, as specified in ISO 8056-1 or its equivalent.

5.4.7 Means of applying a current of air, having a normal oxygen content and a relative humidity no
greater than 80 % at a temperature not exceeding 30 °C at a velocity of 1,5 m/s ± 0,1 m/s at the lower tip
of the sample.

5.5 Location of test

A location in which the air movement is less than 0,2 m/s at the commencement of the test and is not
further influenced by mechanical devices operating during the test is required. The volume of air

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ISO 340:2022(E)

surrounding the test location shall be such that the test is not affected by any reduction of oxygen
concentration. If an open-fronted cabinet is used for the test, provision shall be made to permit the test
piece to be mounted at least 300 mm from any wall.

5.6 Conditioning of test pieces

Samples shall be stored flat and dry for at least 24 h before testing.

5.7 Procedure

5.7.1 Carry out the test in an atmosphere having a temperature between 10 °C and 30 °C and a relative
humidity between 15 % and 80 %.

5.7.2 Mount the test piece in the test rig (5.4.5), ensuring that the test piece is in the vertical position.

5.7.3 Light the burner, adjust the gas flow to give a total flame height of between 150 mm to 180 mm,
with an inner flame length of approximately 50 mm.

Position the thermocouple (5.4.6) in the hottest part of the flame (i.e. just above the inner flame cone as
shown in Figure 1) and check that the temperature is 1 000 °C ± 20 °C.
If necessary, adjust the burner flame so that the temperature recorded is 1 000 °C ± 20 °C.

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5.7.4 Position the burner at 45° (see Figure 1), immediately under the central vertical axis in the
planar centreline of the test piece with the top of the burner tube 50 mm below the bottom edge of the
test piece. (standards.iteh.ai)
5.7.5 After 45 s, remove the burner from the test rig without extinguishing it. Keep the burner
sheltered from any current of air if further tests ISOare
340:2022
to be performed. Once the burner is removed,
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record the afterflame time of the sample (if any) and / or afterglow time (if any) (see 4.1).
340-2022
5.7.6 Immediately after the flame disappears, turn on the air current at the predetermined velocity
for 1 min measuring the duration of afterglow (if any) and checking if the sample re-ignites. If the sample
re-ignites, the duration of flame shall be measured and added to the duration of the flame measured in
step before. This period of flaming shall not be included in the afterglow period (see 4.2).

5.8 Expression of results

5.8.1 For each of the test pieces tested (see 5.3), report which, if any, of the test pieces underwent
flame in 5.7.5 and the duration of such flame.

5.8.2 For each of the test pieces tested, report which, if any, underwent re-flame in 5.7.6 and the
duration of any such re-flame.

5.8.3 Report the maximum value of the individual results obtained in 5.8.1 and 5.8.2.

5.8.4 If there is no evidence of any flame in 5.7.5, report “No flame”.

5.8.5 If there is no evidence of any re-flame in 5.7.6, report “No re-flame”.

5.8.6 Document the total duration of afterflame for each sample, including such time that the sample
may have flamed after a possible re-ignition. Report the duration of afterglow for each sample as well.

5.8.7 Furthermore, document the sum of afterflame and afterglow for each set of 6 samples (see 5.3).

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