Fire- and flammability testing

Fire safety is a critical concern for industries where materials and systems are exposed to high temperatures and fire. It is vital to understand how materials behave when exposed to these conditions. Having this knowledge can potentially save lives and protect infrastructure or materials. At Hukx, we are dedicated to fire and flammability testing. 

Understanding fire behavior

Effective fire safety starts with understanding how materials and structures react to heat and flames. Fire and flammability testing provides vital information on thermal behavior under extreme conditions such as ignition, thermal resistance and heat release. These insights are essential for the development of fire-resistant materials in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and protective clothing. At Hukx, we offer a range of high-temperature heat flux sensors designed to deliver high-accuracy data in the extreme conditions of fire and flammability testing.

Our heat flux sensors for fire testing

Hukx’s range of heat flux sensors used for fire and flammability testing all use both Schmidt-Boelter and/or Gardon Gauge technology. Our sensors combine the benefits of foil technology of traditional Gardon gauges with those of thermopile technology of traditional Schmidt-Boelter gauges. The two specialized sensors that Hukx recommends for fire and flammability testing are:

• SBG01: Introduced in 2008, this water-cooled heat flux sensor has rapidly become the sensor of choice for fire testing. The SBG01 is mainly used to test reactions to fire and fire resistance. Because of its high accuracy, it is also used as a calibration reference for test equipment, for example in flammability and smoke chamber tests. Several models are available with measurement ranges from 5 x 10³ W/m² to 200 x 10³ W/m².
• SBG04: This sensor is primarily used as a calibration reference standard for cone calorimeter testing. Cone calorimeters are devices that measure related fire-safety properties of burning materials and are essential for the development of fire-resistant materials and fire safety standards. At Hukx, we specifically designed the SBG04 to provide reliable calibration for cone calorimetry, it complies with standards ISO 5660 / ASTM E1354.  The sensor may also be used in flammability, fire resistance and smoke chamber testing. It is rated to measure heat fluxes up to 100 x 10³ W/m².
• GG01: This is a specialized sensor using Gardon gauge technology to withstand the hottest testing environments and the highest heat flux levels. All models are water-cooled, available heat-flux ranges are (250, 500, 1000) x 10³ W/m². An optional sapphire window is available to measure radiative heat flux only. 

All instruments also comply with the most common ASTM and ISO testing standards. Take the next step in fire safety by purchasing one of our heat flux sensors.

Advantages

Choosing Hukx sensors for fire and flammability testing means investing in fire safety. We offer many other advantages including:

• Proven expertise: At Hukx, we have been designing heat flux sensors since 1993. Over the years, we have expanded our product lines and established ourselves as both technology and market leader.
• Worldwide support: Hukx provides global coverage through a network of local partners. You can count on expert advice and support.
• Calibration support: We offer calibration support for our sensors worldwide. Heat flux sensors are calibrated in our main office in Delft, The Netherlands.
• Traceability: All sensor calibrations are formally traceable to international standards.