small-scale Flame Tests on Fire-Retardant Conveyor Belting

Two small-scale flame tests used for determining the suitability of conveyor belting intended for underground mines, the National Coal Board (NCB) and the modified Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) tests, were ap plied to two series of conveyor belting. The results indicate that the NCB test is on average more severe, but that it has more scatter. The two tests do not correlate either quantitatively or by ranking. It is suggested that they be replaced by more reliable small-scale tests.