A recent research program conducted for the Motor Vehicle Fire Research Institute examined the yields of gases generated during the combustion of automotive materials. Eighteen materials taken from the exterior of a passenger van and a sports coupe were exposed to radiant heat fluxes of 20, 35, and 50 kW/m 2 using a Cone Calorimeter. Gas samples taken from the exhaust duct were analyzed using an FTIR spectrometer to quantify the yields of CO, CO 2 , HCl, HCN, and NO x . Three materials, representing low, intermediate, and high peak CO concentrations in the Cone Calorimeter testing, were further evaluated using two commonly used smoke chamber test methods: ASTM Ε 662 and ISO 5659-2. Yield data are presented for each of the materials tested, along with a discussion of the test methods and the relationships between the results generated by the various methods.

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