NES 713 Toxicity Index Testing for Naval & Defense Materials
The NES 713 standard test is used to determine the toxicity of materials that may emit toxic gases during combustion or high-temperature exposure, such as insulation materials, coatings, and other products used in naval vessels. This test sets out specific criteria for the toxicity index, with lower values indicating lower toxicity and higher values indicating higher toxicity.
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- Overview
- Scope, Applications, and Benefits
- Test Process
- Specifications
- Instrumentation
- Results and Deliverables
NES 713 Toxicity Testing Overview
The NES 713 specifies a test method to assess the toxicity of gases emitted when the material is exposed to a burning or high-temperature environment. The test is used to assess materials that may emit toxic gases during burning, especially those used in confined spaces, such as those used in the Navy.
The toxicity index obtained in the test measures the level of toxic gases emitted during the material’s combustion. Materials with low toxicity index values are low-hazard, whereas those with high toxicity index values are high-hazard.
Scope, Applications, and Benefits
Scope
The test, NES 713, is used to assess the toxicity of combustion gases generated when the material is subjected to high temperature or burning conditions. The test measures the concentration of given gases generated during the test and then calculates the toxicity index based on the results.
NES 713 evaluates:
- Toxic gas emissions during material combustion
- Toxicity index of combustion products
- Gas generation under high-temperature exposure
- Hazard potential of materials used in enclosed environments
- Compliance with naval material safety requirements
Applications
- Naval vessel construction materials
- Electrical insulation and cable materials
- Coatings and protective finishes
- Polymer and composite materials
- Interior materials used in confined environments
- Fire safety evaluation of industrial materials
Benefits
- Evaluates the toxicity hazards of combustion gases
- Supports material safety evaluation for fire conditions
- Helps identify materials with lower toxic gas emissions
- Assists in selecting safer materials for enclosed environments
- Supports regulatory and safety compliance
NES 713 Test Process
Sample Preparation
Small material specimens (typically ~100 g basis for calculation) are prepared and conditioned.
1Combustion Exposure
Sample is completely burned in a controlled chamber with excess air at high temperature (~up to 1200°C).
2Gas Collection
Emitted gases are collected and analyzed for toxic components.
3Data Recording & Evaluation
Concentrations of toxic gases are measured and used to calculate the toxicity index.
4NES 713 Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Applicable Materials | Insulation materials, coatings, and polymers |
| Chamber Volume | ~0.7 m³ |
| Temperature | Up to ~1200°C |
| Sample Basis | 100 g material equivalent |
| Gas Analysis | Measurement of combustion gas concentrations |
| Evaluation Metric | Toxicity index calculation |
| Measured Gases | CO, CO₂, HCN, HCl, NOx, SO₂, NH₃, H₂S, HF, etc. |
Instrumentation Used for Testing
- Combustion test chamber
- Gas sampling and collection system
- Gas analysis instruments
- Temperature monitoring equipment
- Specimen mounting fixtures
- Data acquisition and recording system
Results and Deliverables
- Toxicity index values
- Toxic gas concentration measurements
- Combustion exposure observations
- Test condition summary
- Compliance report
Frequently Asked Questions
NES 713 tests the toxicity of gases that occur during the burning of materials under controlled conditions. It measures the concentrations of dangerous gases produced during combustion to determine the toxicity index for materials used in confined spaces.
NES 713 helps evaluate fire risk posed by toxic gas emissions. It also helps ensure that materials used in closed spaces emit no hazardous fumes that could harm occupants in the event of a fire.
NES 713 measures gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide that are produced during combustion. These gases combine to form the combined toxicity index value for the tested materials.
NES 713 is often required in naval shipbuilding, marine transportation, defense equipment, and offshore facilities, where materials installed in closed spaces should reduce the emission of toxic gases in the event of fire.
NES 713 is used for measuring the toxicity of gases under controlled combustion conditions. The results may not reflect the complexity of a fire involving mixed materials, ventilation, fire intensity, and dynamic characteristics of the smoke.
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