(a)

flammable liquid means a liquid having a flashpoint of not more than 93 °C.

(b)

flammable solid means a solid substance or mixture which is readily combustible, or may cause or contribute to fire as a result of friction. Readily combustible solids are powdered, granular, or pasty substances or mixtures which are dangerous if they can be easily ignited by brief contact with an ignition source, such as a burning match, and if the flame spreads rapidly.

(c)

flammable gas means a gas or gas mixture having a flammable range with air at 20 °C and a standard pressure of 1,013 bar.

(a)

The aerosol is classified as “extremely flammable” if it contains 85 % or more flammable components and the chemical heat of combustion exceeds or is equal to 30 kJ/g;

(b)

The aerosol is classified as “non-flammable” if it contains 1 % or less flammable components and the chemical heat of combustion is less than 20 kJ/g.

(c)

All other aerosols will be submitted to the following flammability classification procedures or shall be classified as “extremely flammable”. The ignition distance test, the enclosed space test and the foam flammability test shall comply with point 6.3.

(a)

If the chemical heat of combustion is less than 20 kJ/g:

(b)

If the chemical heat of combustion is equal to or more than 20 kJ/g, the aerosol is classified as “extremely flammable” if ignition occurs at a distance of 75 cm or more; otherwise the aerosol is classified as “flammable”.

(a)

The aerosol product shall be classified as “extremely flammable” if:

(b)

The aerosol product which does not meet the criteria in (a) is classified as “flammable” if the flame height is 4 cm or more and the flame duration is two seconds or more.’;

(a)

acknowledged rules of technology, described e.g. in standards such as ASTM D 240, ISO 13943 86.1 to 86.3 and NFPA 30B, or found in the scientifically established literature;

or

(b)

applying the following calculation method:

ΔHc

=

chemical heat of combustion (kJ/g) of the product;

wi%

=

mass fraction of component i in the product;

ΔHc(i)

=

specific heat of combustion (kJ/g) of component i in the product.

‘(b)

Where the aerosol is classified as “flammable” or “extremely flammable” according to the criteria of point 1.9:

‘(a)

Whatever its contents, any additional operating precautions which alert consumers to the specific dangers of the product; if the aerosol dispenser is accompanied by separate instructions for use, the latter must also reflect such operating precautions;

(b)

Where the aerosol is classified as “flammable” or “extremely flammable” according to the criteria of point 1.9, the following warnings:

(i)

The temperature of the water bath and the duration of the test shall be such that the internal pressure reaches that which would be exerted by its contents at a uniform temperature of 50 °C.

(ii)

Any aerosol dispenser showing visible permanent distortion or a leak must be rejected.

(a)

The test method must be approved by a competent authority.

(b)

The person responsible for the marketing of aerosol dispensers must submit an application for approval to a competent authority. The application must be accompanied by the technical file describing the method.

(c)

The person responsible for the marketing of aerosol dispensers must, for surveillance purposes, keep the approval of the competent authority, the technical file describing the method and, if applicable, control reports readily available at the address specified on the label in accordance with point (a) of Article 8(1).

(d)

The technical file must be established in an official Community language or a certified copy thereof must be available.

(e)

“competent authority” means the authority designated in each Member State under Directive 94/55/EC.’;

6.3.1.1.1.

6.3.1.1.2.

6.3.1.2.1.

6.3.1.3.1.1.

6.3.1.3.1.2.

6.3.1.3.1.3.

6.3.1.3.1.4.

6.3.1.3.1.5.

6.3.1.3.1.6.

(a)

A minimum of 3 full aerosol dispensers per product shall be conditioned to 20 °C ± 1 °C with at least 95 % of the dispenser immersed in the water for at least 30 min before each test (if the aerosol is fully immersed, 30 min conditioning is sufficient);

(b)

Comply with general requirements. Record the temperature and relative humidity of the environment;

(c)

Weigh an aerosol dispenser and note its mass;

(d)

Determine the internal pressure and initial discharge rate at 20 °C ± 1 °C (to eliminate faulty or partly filled aerosol dispensers);

(e)

Support the gas burner on a flat horizontal surface or fix the burner to a support by means of a clamp;

(f)

Ignite the gas burner; the flame shall be non-luminous and approximately 4-5 cm high;

(g)

Place the actuator's exit orifice at the required distance from the flame. The aerosol shall be tested in the position it is designed to be used, e.g. upright or inverted;

(h)

Level the actuator's orifice and burner flame, ensuring that the orifice is properly directed towards and aligned with the flame (see Figure 6.3.1.1). The spray shall be expelled through the top half of the flame;

Figure 6.3.1.1

(i)

Comply with the general requirements regarding shaking of the dispenser;

(j)

Actuate the valve of the aerosol dispenser, to discharge its contents for five seconds, unless ignition occurs. If ignition occurs, continue discharging and time the duration of the flame for five seconds, from the start of ignition;

(k)

Note the ignition results for the distance between the gas burner and the aerosol dispenser in the table provided;

(l)

If no ignition occurs during step (j), the aerosol shall be tested in alternative orientations, e.g. inverted for upright use products, to check if ignition is obtained;

(m)

Repeat steps (g) to (l) twice more (a total of 3) for the same can at the same distance between the gas burner and the aerosol actuator;

(n)

Repeat the test procedure for another two aerosol cans of the same product at the same distance between gas burner and aerosol actuator;

(o)

Repeat steps (g) to (n) of the test procedure at a distance between 15 and 90 cm between the actuator of the aerosol can and the burner flame depending on the outcome of each test (see also 6.3.1.3.1.4 and 6.3.1.3.1.5);

(p)

If no ignition occurs at 15 cm, the procedure is finished for initially full cans. The procedure is also finished when ignition and sustained combustion is obtained at a distance of 90 cm. If ignition could not be obtained at 15 cm distance, record that ignition did not occur. The maximum distance between burner flame and the aerosol's actuator for which an ignition and sustained combustion was observed is noted as the “ignition distance”, in all other circumstances;

(q)

One test shall also be conducted on three cans of 10-12 % nominal fill level. These cans shall be tested at a distance between the aerosol's actuator and the burner flame of the ‘flame ignition distance of full cans + 15 cm’;

(r)

Discharge an aerosol can to a 10-12 % nominal fill level (by mass) in bursts of 30 seconds maximum. Observe a 300 seconds minimum time period between bursts. During this interim period dispensers shall be placed in the water bath for conditioning;

(s)

Repeat steps (g) to (n) for 10-12 % nominal fill aerosol cans, omitting steps (l) and (m). This test shall only be performed with the aerosol in one position, e.g. upright or inverted, corresponding with that which produced the ignition (if any) for filled cans;

(t)

Record all results in the Table 6.3.1.1 as shown below.

(a)

A closure system consisting of a hinged cover shall be matched to the open end of the receptacle; or

(b)

A plastic film 0,01 to 0,02 mm thick may be used as a closure system. If the test is carried out with a plastic film this must be used as described below: Stretch the film over the open end of the drum and hold it in place with an elastic band. The strength of the band shall be such that when placed around the drum resting on its side, it stretches by only 25 mm when a mass of 0,45 kg is attached to its lowest point. Cut a 25 mm slit in the film, starting 50 mm from the edge of the drum. Ensure that the film is taut;

(c)

At the other end of the drum drill a 50 mm diameter hole 100 mm from the edge in such a way that the orifice is uppermost when the receptacle is laid down and ready for the test (Figure 6.3.2.1.)

Figure 6.3.2.1

(d)

On a 200 × 200 mm metal support place a paraffin wax candle 20 to 40 mm in diameter and 100 mm high. The candle shall be replaced when having a height of less than 80 mm. The candle's flame is protected from the action of the spray by a 150 mm wide, 200 mm high deflector. This includes the plane inclined at 45° produced 150 mm from the base of the deflector (Figure 6.3.2.2.);

Figure 6.3.2.2

(e)

The candle placed on the metal support shall be positioned midway between the two ends of the drum (Figure 6.3.2.3);

Figure 6.3.2.3

(f)

The drum is laid on the ground or on a support at a spot where the temperature is between 15 °C and 25 °C. The product to be tested will be sprayed within the drum of roughly 200 dm3 in which there will be a source of ignition.

6.3.2.3.1.1.

6.3.2.3.1.2.

6.3.2.3.1.3.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

(j)

(a)

The product tested and its references;

(b)

The internal pressure and discharge rate of the aerosol dispenser;

(c)

The temperature and relative air humidity of the room;

(d)

For each test, the discharge time (s) needed to achieve ignition (if the product does not ignite, state this);

(e)

The mass of the product sprayed during each test (in g);

(f)

The actual volume of the drum (in dm3).

6.3.3.3.1.1.

6.3.3.3.1.2.

6.3.3.3.1.3.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

(j)

(k)

(l)

(a)

whether the product ignites;

(b)

maximum flame height in cm;

(c)

duration of flame in s;

(d)

the mass of the product tested.’