EN50615:2015 is the European Standard that recognises the level of protection against fire hazards of stationary cooking ranges, hobs and similar appliances.
The standard deals with the safety of electric devices used for detection, prevention and suppression of fire originated from a cooking process or flammable material left on a hob. The devices covered may operate by interaction with or integration of, other devices such as smoke detectors, fire detectors, motion detectors, CO2 detectors and fire extinguishers (these will be covered by their specific applicable standards).
To comply with the European Standard products must be tested and the results recorded in accordance with the Standards’ criteria.
Background for Testing for EN50615:2015 Category B devices
Tests carried out must be performed in a test room with a volume of between 20M2 and 30M2.
The product should be installed in the most unfavourable position but within the guidelines set out within the manufacturer’s instruction manual.
For the installation of a four-ring hob the base cabinet should be 59.8cm wide, 60cm deep and 86cm high. (all measurements within a tolerance of ±2cm).
Base cabinets for a six-ring hob should be 119.8cm wide, 60cm deep and 86cm high with a cabinet of 59.8cm wide, 60cm deep and 86cm high on both sides of the base cabinet supporting the hob. (all measurements within a tolerance of ±2cm).
If a range hood could be used within the installation context of the product, a wall cabinet measuring 59.8cm wide, 37cm deep and 70cm high should be present on both sides of the range hood. These cabinets should be at least 55cm from the top of the base cabinet supporting the hob. The test should be carried out with the range hood switched off AND at maximum air flow.
The device shall take measures to ensure that, as a result of unattended operation or excessive temperature, fires caused by the cooking process are avoided.
Category B devices should switch off the appliance before the flames start and an audible warning of at least 65db measured 1m distance should be generated until the user stops the alarm, for example, by pressing a button.
The device should not be self-resetting.
The appliance should only be restarted after intervention by the user.
If sensitivity of the device is adjustable, it should not be possible for the user to adjust it unintentionally. The sensitivity adjustment should require a specific procedure or user interface operation which is clearly different from the normal operation of the system. Also, the permanent sensitivity level should not change automatically.
Pans used for the test are defined in EN60335-2-6:2003, 3.1.9.101. Their diameter is equal to the diameter of the ring they occupy on the hob, and their height is 13cm – 17cm.
The following is the quantity of oil used (in millilitres) for each of the diameters of pan used (in millimetres):
110mm – 30ml;
145mm-50ml;
180mm-80ml;
220mm-120ml;
300mm-220ml.
Lids should not be used in the test.
The oil used in the test should be sunflower oil and it should be renewed with fresh oil for each test.
The hob should be at room temperature before each test commences.
The tests should be carried out with the hob elements operating at maximum input.
Before commencing each test, the device should be disconnected from the power supply (mains or batteries) for at least 15 seconds.
Testing
TEST 1
Test HobSensus for false alarms.
Test 1 – Preparation
Pans are placed on all rings of the hob. The pan diameters are the same as the rings:
Front left 220mm;
Front right 180cm;
Back left 180mm;
Back right 220mm;
Pans are filled with water except the largest one. The largest pan (220mm diameter) contains the requisite amount of Sunflower oil (120ml).
Test 1 – The test
All pans containing water are heated until the water boils. The heat is then reduced so that the water is simmering. This continues throughout the entirety of the test. After the water has simmered for 20 minutes, the largest pan, containing the Sunflower oil, is heated at full power – the objective, to create fire.
Test 1 – Criteria/Measurement
• HobSensus does not cut off the power to the hob before the temperature of the Sunflower oil reaches 200°C.
• HobSensus cuts off the power before the Sunflower oil reaches 330°C
Both these criteria were met.
TEST 2
Test HobSensus on all rings, one by one.
Test 2 – Preparation
Pans of relevant diameter are placed on the hob rings:
Front left 220mm; Front right 180mm; Back left 180mm; Back right 220mm;
The requisite amount of Sunflower oil is poured into each pan:
Front left 120ml; Front right 80ml; Back left 80ml; Back right 120ml;
Each ring is tested, one at a time.
Test 2 – The test
Each ring is turned to maximum power input, individually, one at a time, with the aim to create fire.
Test 2 – Criteria/ measurement
• HobSensus cuts off the power before the temperature of the Sunflower oil reaches 330°C.
• The Sunflower oil does not ignite within 10 minutes after the power has been cut.
Both these criteria were met.
TEST 3
Test HobSensus with cast iron pan (frying pan) on the ring with the worst result from Test 2
Test 3 – Preparation
The cast iron frying pan with a suitable diameter (220mm) for the ring on which it was placed is filled with 120ml of Sunflower oil. Tall pans measuring between 13cm and 17cm tall are placed on all other rings.
Test 3 – The test
The ring, on which the frying pan is situated, is turned to maximum power input, with the aim to create fire.
Test 3 – Criteria/ measurement
• HobSensus cuts off the power before the temperature of the Sunflower oil reaches 330°C.
• The Sunflower oil does not ignite within 10 minutes after the power has been cut.
Both these criteria were met.
