Fire Testing Systems for the Automotive Industry
Fire Safety in the Field of Mobility with Reliable Testing Solutions by NETZSCH
Strict fire safety standards protect passengers and ensure the reliability of transportation systems in the automotive, aerospace and marine sectors. NETZSCH fire testing instruments like the TCC 918 Cone Calorimeter and the HBK 919 Horizontal Burner Box deliver fundamental data on ignition behavior, heat release, smoke production, release of toxic gases and flame propagation.
These instruments are in accordance with standards such as ISO5660-1, ASTM E1354, MVSS302 and FAR25.853, making them essential tools for materials testing, development and optimization as well as qualification across the mobility industry.
We can also provide further variants and individual fire testing instruments according to customer requirements.
Why Fire Testing Matters in the Automotive Industry
To protect passengers and minimize fire spread in the event of an accident or technical failure, materials used in vehicle interiors must meet strict fire safety requirements. To ensure compliance with global regulations such as UNECE R118, FMVSS 302 and ISO 3795, it is essential to evaluate the reaction to fire, including ignition behavior, flame spread, smoke production and heat release.
NETZSCH provides precise, standards-compliant fire testing instruments that support automotive manufacturers and suppliers evaluate and certify the fire behavior of interior and functional materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course! TAURUS Instruments GmbH became part of NETZSCH Analyzing & Testing in 2020.
As of July 1, 2025, NETZSCH Taurus Instruments GmbH changed its name to NETZSCH-Gerätebau GmbH. Both entities now operate under the name NETZSCH-Gerätebau GmbH.
As part of the NETZSCH Analyzing & Testing Business Unit, the company combines decades of fire testing expertise with NETZSCH’s global resources, innovation, and service network — offering customers a comprehensive portfolio of fire testing and Thermal ConductivityThermal conductivity (λ with the unit W/(m•K)) describes the transport of energy – in the form of heat – through a body of mass as the result of a temperature gradient (see fig. 1). According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat always flows in the direction of the lower temperature.thermal conductivity systems for building materials, cables, automotive components, and more.
Want to learn more about the history of our fire testing devices? Read the following blog articles:
EN 13501 is the European standard for fire-classifying construction products and building elements.
As part of the EU’s harmonized approach to fire safety, it is used across all EU member states (and many associated countries) to determine how materials and building components behave in a fire. Materials are categorized into different classes (A1 to F) based on their reaction to fire, smoke production, and flaming droplet production. This classification system helps determine the suitability of materials for various building applications. EN 13501 is divided into several parts, each covering a different type of fire performance classification:
EN 13501-1: Reaction to Fire
This part classifies how construction products (including floorings) contribute to the development of a fire.
Common classes: A1, A2, B, C, D, E, and F (A1 is non-combustible and F indicates that no performance has been determined). It also includes smoke production (s1, s2, s3) and flaming droplets/particles (d0, d1, d2).
EN 13501-2: Fire Resistance
This part classifies the fire resistance of building elements (e.g., walls, doors, floors, and beams) based on how long they maintain their integrity, insulation properties, and/or load-bearing capacity.
EN 13501-3: This part classifies the fire resistance of service installations (e.g., ducts and fire dampers).
EN 13501-4: This part classifies the fire resistance of smoke control systems.
Why It Matters:
Under the EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR), many construction products must bear a CE marking. This requires verified fire performance data according to EN 13501, which ensures that fire safety classifications are comparable and reliable across all European countries.
Meeting these fire classification requirements is critical in order for architects, builders, and material suppliers to ensure that their materials comply with building codes and can be legally placed on the market.
NETZSCH supports manufacturers and testing laboratories in achieving these certifications with its advanced fire testing instruments. Our devices, including cone calorimeters, SBI (single burning item) testers, and KBT (klein-brenner-test) systems, provide precise, standards-compliant measurements of reaction-to-fire and fire-resistance properties. These instruments enable our customers to generate accurate, repeatable data fully aligned with EN 13501 classification needs. This helps them bring safe, compliant products to market with confidence.
This overview generally summarizes the key fire testing instruments by NETZSCH used in automotive and transport applications — including their test scope, supported standards, and typical material use cases.
| Instrument | Test Scope | Standards Supported | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBK 919 | Horizontal flame propagation, self-extinguishing behavior | ISO 3795, FMVSS 302, UNECE R118 Annex 6, IMO FTPC Part 5 | Vehicle and ship interiors, seats, carpets, panels |
| TCC 918 | Heat release rate, ignition time, smoke & gas emission, gases released | ISO 5660-1, ASTM E1354, UNECE R118 Annex 7, IMO FTP Code Part 2 | Polymer composites, insulation, foams, interior parts, wall and ceiling materials |
| LOI 901 | Lowest Oxygen Index – minimum oxygen concentration to sustain burning | ISO 4589-2, ASTM D2863 | Quick screening of flame-retardant polymers, seat foams, wire insulation, interior parts |
Still not sure which instrument fits your application? Or do you need an individualized configuration? No Problem!
Please contact your regional sales representative. We will be happy to find the best solution for your fire testing needs together:
Yes! The NETZSCH HBK 919 complies with the different vehicle manufacturer factory standards, see table:
| Brand | Factory Standard |
|---|---|
| BMW | GS 97038 |
| Daimler | DBL 5307.10-13 |
| Ford | FLTM-BN 24-2 |
| General Motors | GM 6090 M |
| Mazda | MES DF 050D |
| Mitsubishi | ES-X60410 |
| Porsche | PTL 8501 |
| Renault | D45 1333 |
| Volvo | VCS 5031,19 |
| VW | VW TL 1010 |
| Hyundai/KIA | MS 300-80 |
The costs for a NETZSCH fire testing device can vary significantly, depending on the type, model, features, or any additional accessories you may require.
To get an accurate and up-to-date price for your individual NETZSCH instrument, please contact your local NETZSCH representative or one of our authorized distributors. We will provide a quote tailored to your specific requirements, including any necessary training, installation, or additional features.
Delivery times depend on the specific device and configuration. While some instruments may be available from stock, others require longer lead times. For customized systems, delivery schedules can vary accordingly.
For the most up-to-date information, we encourage you to contact us directly with a specific request. This will ensure that we can provide you with an accurate timeline tailored to your specific needs.
Your Benefits
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>1000
50
What Makes these NETZSCH Fire Testing Instruments Unique?
- Compliance with Global Transport Standards: They fully support key fire safety regulations, such as UNECE R118, FMVSS 302, IMO FTP Code, and ISO 5660-1, making them ideal for road and marine vehicles.
- Reliable, reproducible results: Precision-engineered systems ensure accurate measurement and high repeatability of critical parameters such as heat release rate, flame propagation, and smoke development.
- Optimized for real-world mobility materials: They are designed specifically to test polymer composites, seat foams, insulation, panels, and other materials commonly used in vehicle and ship interiors.
- Robust construction for routine testing: Built for daily use in quality control, R&D, and type approval testing environments.
- Part of a complete fire testing portfolio. These products can be seamlessly integrated with other NETZSCH instruments for comprehensive material evaluation.
- Proven Excellence: Decades of experience in fire testing and a strong reputation on the market underline the reliability and advanced capabilities of our fire testing instruments.
Applications Examples for the Automotive Industry
- Vehicle interior trim components
Seats, roof liners, floor coverings, dashboards, and door panels tested for flame spread and self-extinguishing behavior. - Polymer foams and insulation materials
Evaluation of ignition time, smoke DensityThe mass density is defined as the ratio between mass and volume. density, oxygen index and heat release properties for under-seat and cavity insulation. - Composite and plastic panels
Fire behavior testing of lightweight composite structures used in cabins, cargo spaces, and underbody protection. - Cable sheathing and wire harness insulation
Testing flame retardancy and ignition risk of electrical systems in the vehicle interior. - Battery enclosure materials (EV applications)
Assessment of thermal response and combustion risk for casings and protection layers used in electric vehicle battery packs. - HVAC system components and ducts
Characterization of polymer parts used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units. - Automotive textiles and coverings
Reaction-to-fire testing of seat covers, headliners, and decorative fabrics for compliance with ISO 3795 and FMVSS 302. - Prototype materials in design validation
Early screening of new materials for regulatory compliance and material selection during product development.
Expandable Graphite – A Sustainable Solution for Flame Retardants in Plastics
Flame retardants (FRs) have been used for decades to reduce the risk of fire hazards in plastic components for such applications as in the automotive industries.
The NETZSCH Cone Calorimeter is ideal for evaluating the flame-retardant effectiveness of additives, such as expandable graphite, in polymers.
Are you interested in fire testing devices for other industries or applications?
Feel free to take a look at our entire range of fire testing systems.
Media and Training
Blog articles about NETZSCH fire testing devices
- 28.07.2026
Beyond Heat and Smoke: Why Gas Analysis Matters in Modern Fire Testing
- 21.04.2026
More Transparency in Combustion Gas Analysis: OMEGA 5 FT-IR Coupling on the NETZSCH TCC 918 Cone Calorimeter
- 23.09.2025
How Material Thickness Influences Fire Testing – Key Insights by Means of Cone Calorimeter Analysis
- 05.03.2025
Fire Testing of Stabilized Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) Fibers with the NETZSCH LOI 901
- 12.08.2024
Fire Resistance Testing and Fire Safety Engineering
- 22.06.2023
The New FT-IR OMEGA 5 Toxicity Test System ‒ The Advanced Gas Analyzer for the TCC 918 Cone Calorimeter
Application Literature about NETZSCH fire testing devices
Videos that may be interesting for you
FAQs about NETZSCH Service
We want you to be fully prepared when using your fire testing device!
At NETZSCH, we want to ensure that you are well-prepared when working with your fire testing instrument. That’s why we offer customized training designed around your specific equipment and operating conditions.
We prefer on-site training at your location, working directly with your instrument under your specific conditions (e.g., gas setup, pressure ranges, and gas cylinders). This ensures that everything works seamlessly and that optimal test conditions are achieved.
Of course, we also offer online training via our NETZSCH Online Academy NOA, 1:1 remote training and on-site training at your location or our training centers. Simply contact your sales representative or go to Know-How - NETZSCH Analyzing & Testing
Yes, we offer maintenance contracts for your instruments according to the different regional and individual customer requirements. Please feel free to contact our Service Department or take a closer look at our website section Service-Level Agreement - NETZSCH Analyzing & Testing.
For even greater peace of mind, we also offer Unlimited Warranty for our SBI 915 and KBT 916 fire testing instruments.
Our NETZSCH Applications Laboratory exclusively offers contract testing services for the TCC 918 Cone Calorimeter, supporting a wide range of industries and research centers. With our state-of-the-art instrumentation, we can perform detailed fire behavior analyses without requiring in-house equipment.
Although we only perform contract testing on the TCC 918, our sales and service teams are always available to assist with other fire testing inquiries, including application advice and selecting the right instrument for your needs.
Consult our NETZSCH experts to determine the best measuring method for your application. You will work with experienced scientists, including physicists, chemists, and materials specialists, who have in-depth knowledge of various test methods and material types.
We offer:
- Installation and commissioning
- Relocation of your instrument
- System upgrades
- Maintenance and inspection
- Calibration
- Repair
- Comprehensive training from basic to advanced use of the instrument - on-site and online
- Free e-learning basic courses: E-Learning - NETZSCH Analyzing & Testing
Our Remote Service is available worldwide.
