New EN Standard for the Sooting Behavior of Candles
EN 15426 – the specification for candle sooting behavior was revised in November 2018. The revised standard provides clarity on the test method and descriptions of the equipment.
SAFEGUARDS | Hardlines NO. 013/19
EN 15426 has been updated. Its 2018 version and was published last November and supersedes EN 15426: 2007. All conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn by May 10, 2019, at the latest.
EN 15426 specifies requirements and test method for evaluating the sooting behavior of candles intended for burning indoors. It is applicable to single wick candles with a diameter up to 100 mm or having an equivalent cross-sectional area.
Table 1 lists a comparison of significant changes between the 2018 version of the standard and its predecessor.
| Significant changes | Brief | |
| 2007 edition | New edition | |
| Improved terms and definitions |
Candle One or more combustible wicks supported by a material that constitutes a fuel, which is solid, semisolid or quasi-rigid at room temperature (20°C to 27°C) |
Candle One or more combustible wicks supported by a material that constitutes a fuel, which is solid or semisolid at room temperature (20°C to 27°C) with the main function of sustaining a light-producing flame, including any coatings on and articles or substances in the fuel |
|
Tea light Cylindrical candle that is burned in a container, which may be suitable for keeping vessels containing coffee, tea or other liquids warm, by using a warming stove |
Tea light Candle that is produced and used in the same container |
|
| Simplified requirement for sooting behavior | The average soot index from three tests (samples) shall be less than 1.0/h, no individual sample shall exceed 2.0/h | The average soot index per hour from three tests (samples) shall be less than 1.0/h |
| Clearer description of test equipment and apparatus | Measurement unit
Consisting of an indication instrument and a measuring chamber. The measuring chamber consists of the light source, fixture for the heat resisting glass plate, a cover with light reflecting interior coating with a photodiode integrated in it, which is connected with the indication instrument. Calibration disk No specific requirement |
Measurement unit
Consisting of an indication instrument and a measuring chamber. The measuring chamber consists of the light source, fixture for the heat resistant glass plate, a cover with light reflecting interior coating (at least 90 % reflectivity) with a photodiode integrated in it, which is connected with the indication instrument. Calibration disk Made of dark neutral density glass (e.g. NG43) having a wavelength independent optical absorption coefficient of (1.20 ± 0.10) mm−1 and dimensions(20 ± 0.3) × (20 ± 0.3) × (2.4 ± 0.3) mm3 |
| Clearer description of the test method including improved illustration for setting up the equipment and new illustrated guidance for selecting the wire mesh cylinder |  |
 |
| Modified characteristics of the candles for selecting the soot test cycles |
Type of candle: a) Mass below 40 |
Type of candle: a) Mass below 25 g |
| New informative Annex B for the calculation of the hourly fuel consumption | NIL | Evaluation of hourly Fuel Consumption, help to improve the candle |
Table 1
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