FTT iCone Advanced Cone Calorimeter

Overview

The FTT iCone Advanced Cone Calorimeter is a research-grade fire testing instrument engineered for precise, repeatable measurement of combustion behavior in solid materials under controlled radiant heat exposure. Based on the oxygen consumption calorimetry principle—where heat release rate (HRR) is calculated from the measured depletion of oxygen in the exhaust stream—the iCone delivers quantitative fire performance data essential for fire hazard assessment, material development, and regulatory compliance. It operates in strict accordance with internationally recognized standards including ISO 5660-1 (heat release, smoke production, mass loss) and ISO 5660-2 (ignitability), as well as ASTM E1354 (standard test method for heat and visible smoke release rates for materials and products), ASTM E1740 (determination of heat release rate using oxygen consumption), and multiple NFPA, ULC, and EN protocols. The system is designed for laboratory environments requiring GLP-compliant data integrity, traceable calibration, and full auditability—features critical for certification testing, academic research, and industrial R&D.

Key Features

• Modular, dual-cabinet architecture supporting both standard and high-sensitivity configurations (iCone Classic, iCone Mini, iCone Plus variants)
• Electrically driven conical heater (5 kW element) delivering calibrated radiant flux up to 100 kW/m², with motorized vertical positioning for horizontal or vertical sample orientation
• Triple K-type thermocouple array with PID-controlled thermal profiling—enabling programmable 10-step heat flux ramps via ConeCalc software
• Motorized split-shutter insulation plate, actuated via 7-inch touchscreen or software, minimizing pre-test thermal drift and ensuring stable baseline mass measurement
• Automated 10 kV spark igniter with positional feedback and integrated safety interlock circuitry
• High-resolution load cell (0.01 g resolution, 5.0 kg / 8.2 kg capacity) mounted on vibration-isolated platform to eliminate interference from exhaust fan operation
• Recessed, motorized 600 mm × 600 mm borosilicate glass enclosure with four-sided visibility and laminar airflow preservation
• Stainless-steel exhaust ducting with calibrated orifice plate flowmeter, maintaining nominal 24 L/s volumetric flow under ISO 5660-defined conditions
• Dedicated gas analysis cabinet featuring particulate filtration, cryogenic cold trap (−10 °C), desiccant drying column, and precision mass flow control
• Laser-based smoke obscuration system: 0.5 mW He–Ne source coupled to dual silicon photodiodes, with calibrated neutral density filters (OD 0.3 and 0.8) and alignment fixtures
• Integrated methane calibration furnace (99.5% purity CH₄) for NIST-traceable HRR verification per ISO 5660-1 Annex B
• Real-time thermal flux adjustment via embedded heat flux meter and ConeCalc-driven closed-loop control

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The iCone accommodates flat, rigid, or semi-rigid specimens measuring 100 mm × 100 mm, with maximum thickness of 50 mm. Samples may be tested in horizontal or vertical orientation using stainless-steel specimen holders compliant with ISO 5660 geometry requirements. The system supports direct correlation to large-scale fire tests—including EN 13823 (Single Burning Item) and ISO 9705 (Room Corner Test)—through established scaling relationships rooted in fire dynamics theory. All hardware, firmware, and software components meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electrical safety standards (IEC 61000, IEC 61010). Data acquisition adheres to ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available), satisfying FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures when configured with ConeCalc’s audit trail and user access controls.

Software & Data Management

ConeCalc v6.x serves as the central operational and analytical interface—built on Microsoft Windows with native support for English, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. Its GUI incorporates standard Windows conventions: dropdown menus, checkbox toggles, drag-and-drop calibration file loading, and context-sensitive help. Real-time parameter monitoring includes HRR (kW), peak HRR (kW), time-to-ignition (s), mass loss rate (g/s), effective heat of combustion (MJ/kg), smoke production rate (m²/s), CO/CO₂ yield (g/g), and specific extinction area (m²/g). All raw and processed data are exported in CSV, Excel (.xlsx), and XML formats compatible with third-party statistical packages. Calibration logs, operator entries, instrument configuration snapshots, and test metadata are stored in an encrypted SQLite database with immutable timestamps and user-authenticated edit history—ensuring full traceability during regulatory audits or inter-laboratory round-robin studies.

Applications

• Quantitative fire performance evaluation of polymers, composites, foams, textiles, and building materials
• Development and validation of flame-retardant formulations and intumescent coatings
• Supporting fire modeling inputs for CFD-based tools such as Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) and PyroSim
• Regulatory submission testing for CE marking (EN 13501-1), UL 94, and CPSC flammability requirements
• Fundamental research into pyrolysis kinetics, char formation mechanisms, and gas-phase combustion chemistry
• Comparative analysis across material batches, manufacturing processes, or aging conditions (e.g., UV exposure, thermal cycling)

FAQ

What standards does the iCone fully support out-of-the-box?
ISO 5660-1 and -2, ASTM E1354, ASTM E1740, ASTM F1550, ASTM D5485, ASTM D6113, NFPA 271, NFPA 264, CAN/ULC-S135, BS 476-15, and GB/T 16172—all implemented via validated test templates and calculation engines within ConeCalc.
Can the iCone be integrated into an existing fire lab network with centralized data archiving?
Yes. ConeCalc supports OPC UA and TCP/IP-based data streaming to external LIMS or enterprise databases. Optional FTT LabLink module enables scheduled automated report generation and secure FTP/SFTP export.
Is operator training and calibration certification included with purchase?
FTT provides on-site installation, two-day operator training, and ISO/IEC 17025-aligned calibration documentation. Annual recalibration services include NIST-traceable heat flux and gas analyzer verification.
How is data integrity maintained during long-duration tests (e.g., >30 min)?
The system employs redundant power supplies, non-volatile memory buffering, and heartbeat-monitored USB/Ethernet communication. ConeCalc performs real-time checksum validation on all acquired channels and flags anomalies without interrupting acquisition.
Does the iCone comply with GLP and GMP documentation requirements?
When deployed with ConeCalc’s optional Audit Trail Pack, it satisfies OECD GLP Principles and EU Annex 11 for computerized systems—providing electronic signatures, role-based access, change control logs, and 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic records.