Calibration Technique for Heat Flux Sensors Used in Fire Experiments and Standard Fire Tests.
Calibration Technique for Heat Flux Sensors Used in Fire
Experiments and Standard Fire Tests.
(2243 K)
Steckler, K. D.; Tu, K. M.; Twilley, W. H.
NIST SP 971; DOT/FAA/CT-89/26; 32 p. August 2001.
NIST SP 971: "Collected Reports and Publications by the
National Institute of Standards and Technology on Heat
Flux Gage Calibration and Usage.", 2001.
Sponsor:
Federal Aviation Administration, Atlantic City
International Airport, NJ
Available from:
For More Information on NIST SP 971 visit: WEBSITE:
http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/866/heatflux/index.htm
Keywords:
sensors; heat flux; experiments; fire tests;
calorimeters; radiometers
Abstract:
A means for calibrating total heat flux gauges using a
comparative (substitution) technique has been
established. An apparatus consisting of a reference
radiometer, a stable infrared radiant heater capable of
producing flux levels up to 3.7 W/cm2, and a precision
alignment mechanism has been constructed. The reference
radiometer was characterized by the Radiometric Physics
Division of The National Institute of Standards and
Technology at flux levels in the range 0.8 mW/cm2 to 0.9
W/cm2. Its accuracy was found to be within 3 percent
over this range which spans 3 orders of magnitude. As
the radiometer is a highly linear thermocouple-based
device having a self-calibration feature, this accuracy
is expected to hold up to 4.2 W/cm2, the upper limit of
this device. Although the overall accuracy of
calibrations performed in the new apparatus must still
be established, it is expected to be within 3 to 5
percent.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899