ISO 20238-2018 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 20238:2018 — Conveyor belts — Drum friction testing. This international standard specifies a laboratory test method to determine the propensity of a conveyor belt to generate heat, flame or glow when held stationary, under a given tension, in surface contact around a rotating driven steel drum.

Abstract

ISO 20238:2018 describes the apparatus, test arrangement and procedures for drum friction testing of conveyor belts, including means to vary belt tension and criteria for premature termination of the test when the belt contains steel reinforcement or cannot meet specified conditions. The standard is intended to assess the risk of heat build-up, ignition or glowing under blocked conditions in conveyor-belt installations.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed on periodic review).
• Publication date: January 2018 (2018-01).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 53.040.20 (Conveyor components).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2018).
• Number of pages: 9 (ISO published document length).

Scope

This document specifies a method of testing to determine the tendency of a conveyor belt, under specified tension, to generate heat, burn or exhibit incandescence when held in contact with a rotating steel drum. It includes the test apparatus, sample preparation, test procedure, methods to vary belt tension and provisions for premature termination when full testing cannot be completed (for example, on belts with steel reinforcement). The scope is limited to laboratory drum-friction testing and does not set installation acceptance criteria.

Key topics and requirements

• Purpose: assess risk of heat generation, glow or ignition during belt blocking against a driven drum.
• Test apparatus and setup: rotating steel drum, fixture to hold belt under controlled tension, instrumentation to observe flame/glow and temperature.
• Test parameters: specified belt tensions, drum speed, test duration and environmental conditions as defined in the standard.
• Termination criteria: rules for stopping the test early (for safety or because belt construction prevents meeting clause requirements), including references to clauses 7.2 and 7.3 in the standard.
• Reporting: required test data, observations of flame/glow, and any deviations from the procedure.
• Limitations: intended for laboratory assessment; results should be used alongside other fire and safety evaluations for installations and materials selection.

Typical use and users

Used by conveyor-belt manufacturers, independent testing laboratories, safety engineers, procurement teams specifying belt fire performance, and regulators or certification bodies evaluating conveyor fire risks. The standard helps characterize material behavior under blocked-drum conditions and supports safety assessments and product development.

Related standards

ISO 20238:2018 is part of the body of ISO standards addressing conveyor belts and their safety/testing (work of ISO/TC 41/SC 3). National and regional adoptions exist (for example EN/EN ISO adoptions) that integrate the ISO test method into local standards collections. Users often consult other ISO and EN documents dealing with conveyor-belt specification, fire testing and component testing when applying results from this method.

Keywords

conveyor belt, drum friction testing, heat generation, ignition, glow, blocked belt, belt tension, test method, ISO 20238, fire assessment, conveyor safety.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 20238:2018 specifies a laboratory drum friction test method to determine whether a conveyor belt is likely to generate heat, flame or incandescence when trapped against a driven steel drum under specified tension.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers test apparatus, sample preparation, test procedure, means to vary belt tension, observation and reporting requirements, and rules for premature test termination when necessary (for example, for steel-reinforced belts). It does not define installation acceptance criteria.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, independent test laboratories, safety and reliability engineers, procurement/specification teams, and conformity assessment bodies focused on conveyor fire and safety performance.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 20238 was published in January 2018 (Edition 1) and the ISO record shows the document as published and confirmed during periodic review, remaining current as of the latest confirmation. Users should check their national standards body for any national adoptions or amendments.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is one of the ISO documents produced under ISO/TC 41/SC 3 addressing conveyor belts and components; while not a multi-part standard itself, it complements other ISO/EN standards covering belt materials, mechanical testing and safety.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Conveyor belt, drum friction, blocked belt, heat generation, ignition, glow, belt tension, test method, safety.