The cone calorimeter provides a method of testing the reaction of materials to heat exposure.
In this test, small samples of materials (100mm x 100mm) are exposed to various levels of
radiation and the resulting products of combustion are analysed to determine the rate at which
heat is released. The gases associated with combustion are drawn into a hood and analysed in
order to allow calculation of the mass of oxygen used in the combustion process. From this
calculation the heat release rate (HRR) is determined.