EN 15493:2007 – Candles – Specification for fire safety
1 Scope
This European Standard specifies requirements and test methods for the fire safety of candles intended to be burned indoors.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 15494:2007, Candles – Candles – Product safety labels
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this European Standard, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
base material
intended fuel source for candle flame
3.2
burning period
time the candle burns from initial being lit until it is extinguished
3.3
burn test cycle
total time of a burning period and pause
3.4
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)
NOTE 1 It can also contain additives, which are used for colour, odour, stability, or to modify the burning characteristics; the combined function of which is to sustain a light-producing flame.
NOTE 2 Including candles with decoration attached to or contained within the candle.
3.5
container candle
candle which is produced in and will be burned in a container
3.6
flame height
base of the flame to the top of the flame
NOTE See Figure 1.
3.7
free-standing candle
candle that is designed to be used without a supporting holder
3.8
molten fuel pool
portion of the wax or fuel pool of a candle that is in liquid form when the candle is burning
3.9
re-ignition
self-ignition of the wick after it has been extinguished
3.10
secondary ignition
self-sustained flame other than that on the intended wick(s), including flash over where the base material’s vapours ignite over the molten fuel pool
3.11
self-sustained flame
flame that continues to burn until the fuel source is removed or depleted or requires manual extinguishing
3.12
tea light
cylindrical candle that is burned up in a container which may be suitable to keep vessels containing coffee, tea or other liquids warm, by using a warming stove
NOTE 1 Typical dimensions of a tea light are 38 mm in diameter and 15 in mm height.
NOTE 2 A tea light container can be made from metal, glass or plastic.
3.13
wax
crystalline, plastic solid or semi-solid material at 25 °C consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons and/or
hydrocarbon derivatives
NOTE Wax melts typically at temperatures equal to or greater than 40 °C and becomes a low viscosity liquid. Waxes may be of mineral (particularly petroleum), vegetable, animal (including insect), or synthetic origin.
3.14
wick
object that delivers fuel to a flame through the process of capillary action
4 Safety requirements
4.1 Stability
Free-standing candles shall not tip over when tested on a slope of 10 ° according to 9.2.
EN 15493:2007 – Candles – Specification for fire safety