Dwayne Sloan, UL LLC, presented on the Steiner Tunnel fire test which applies large scale fire conditions to assess surface burning characteristics for building materials, such as drywall, cooler panels, ceiling coverings, and insulation.
Derivatives of this test method are also used to assess sprinkler piping and wires & cables. UL94 on the other hand is not intended for building materials, but is a small scale fire test specifically intended for plastic materials used in devices and appliances. The 25 ft. (7.6 m) long test Steiner Tunnel apparatus enables assessment of flame spread and smoke development and is widely codified through UL723, also known as ASTM E84. The similar Canada CAL/ULC 102 and 102.2 methods are also adapted for building materials, as well as products such as floor coverings. One challenge of the Steiner Tunnel is that products can melt, flame or drip. Users of UL723 are guided to additionally report these floor burning characteristics when they carry out this testing. A single Steiner tests is quite involved, so often smaller scale tests, such as the cone calorimeter, can be conducted first for benchmarking.