
Smoke Toxicity Test Equipment (Squirrel Cage Method)
Category:Flammability Tester
Introduction
The GB/T 20285 Material Smoke Toxicity Test Apparatus (Mouse Cage Method) is a specialized testing system developed in accordance with GB/T 20285-2006 for evaluating the toxicity hazards of smoke generated by building materials during combustion. The apparatus is primarily used to assess the biological toxicity of smoke under stable smoke-generation conditions and serves as an important basis for determining the combustion performance classification of B- and C-grade composite (sandwich) building materials. By combining controlled thermal decomposition with animal exposure testing, the system provides a scientific and reliable method for fire safety evaluation of construction materials.
Application
The apparatus is widely applied in fire safety research, material performance evaluation, and regulatory compliance testing. Typical applications include:
Smoke toxicity assessment of building and construction materials
Combustion toxicity evaluation of composite (sandwich) panels
Fire performance classification testing for interior decoration materials
Safety evaluation of insulation materials and polymer-based products
Toxicological smoke studies in fire research institutes
Type testing and routine inspection in third-party testing laboratories
Standards
The test apparatus complies with the following national and international standards:
(1) GB/T 20285-2006 – Classification for Toxic Hazard of Smoke Generated by Materials
(2) ISO 19700:2006 – Controlled Equivalence Ratio Method for the Determination of Hazardous Components of Fire Effluents
(3) DIN 53436 – Testing of Thermal Decomposition Products of Materials under Ventilated Conditions and Their Toxicological Evaluation
Parameters
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Quartz Tube & Quartz Boat | Made of quartz glass |
| Quartz Tube Nominal Diameter | (36 ± 1) mm |
| Quartz Tube Wall Thickness | (2 ± 0.5) mm |
| Quartz Tube Length | 1000–1300 mm |
| Quartz Tube Support | Adjustable horizontally and vertically |
| Smoke Collection & Distribution Assembly | Three-way stopcock, dilution gas inlet pipe, gas distribution elbow |
| Gas Flow Pipe Nominal Diameter | (36 ± 1) mm |
| Mouse Rotating Cage | Aluminum plate stamping |
| Rotating Cage Mass | (60 ± 10) g |
| Exposure Chamber | Transparent organic glass |
| Exposure Capacity | Up to 10 mice simultaneously |
| Temperature Control System | Thermocouple, cold-junction compensation, temperature controller, digital display |
| Furnace Movement Drive | Stepper motor |
| Movement Speed | (10 ± 0.1) mm/min |
| Adjustable Speed Range | 5–50 mm/min |
| Maximum Travel Distance | > 600 mm |
| Carrier & Dilution Gas | Compressed air |
| Air Flow Rate | 0–20 L/min adjustable |
Features
Designed specifically according to GB/T 20285-2006 for smoke toxicity hazard classification of materials.
Ring furnace adopts an energy-saving full-fiber furnace tube structure with stable thermal performance.
High-precision temperature control system ensures furnace temperature meets the requirements of Chapter 7 of GB/T 20285.
Stepper-motor-driven furnace displacement system provides low noise, high accuracy, and flexible speed selection.
Quartz tube and joints are precision ground and paired during processing to ensure excellent sealing performance.
Waste gases generated during testing are directly discharged into the ventilation duct through plastic hoses, preventing smoke leakage in the working area.
Transparent exposure chamber allows visual observation of test animals during exposure.
Mouse rotating cages are designed to rotate freely, preventing fixed postures and reducing the risk of mechanical injury.
Integrated carrier gas and dilution gas supply system ensures stable smoke concentration control.
Computer-based control system enables high automation and real-time monitoring of test parameters.
Accessories
(1) Ring furnace heating system
(2) Quartz tube
(3) Quartz boat
(4) Smoke collection and distribution assembly
(5) Transparent organic glass exposure chamber
(6) Mouse rotating cages
(7) Temperature control and furnace displacement system
(8) Carrier and dilution gas supply components
(9) Computer control software system
FAQ
1. What is the primary purpose of this smoke toxicity test apparatus?
The apparatus is used to evaluate the toxic hazard level of smoke generated by building materials during combustion. By simulating stable smoke-generation conditions and combining them with animal exposure tests, the system assesses the biological toxicity of combustion products. The results are an important basis for determining the combustion performance classification of B- and C-grade composite building materials in accordance with GB/T 20285-2006.
2. How is smoke toxicity evaluated during the test?
Smoke toxicity is evaluated by exposing laboratory mice to diluted combustion smoke under controlled conditions. The smoke generated by the heated specimen is transported into a sealed exposure chamber, where mice are exposed for a fixed duration of 30 minutes. During this period, mouse activity and survival are monitored and recorded by the system. The collected data are used to determine the smoke toxicity hazard classification defined in the standard.
3. What role does the ring furnace displacement system play?
The ring furnace displacement system enables uniform and controlled heating of the specimen through constant-speed scanning. Driven by a stepper motor, the system provides precise movement control with selectable speeds, ensuring repeatable thermal exposure conditions and stable smoke generation throughout the test.
4. Is the system fully computer controlled?
Yes. The apparatus is operated and controlled by computer software consisting of multiple functional modules, including parameter setting, temperature display, mouse observation, data storage, and test result output. Test reports and graphs can be printed directly after completion.
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