Describing product fire performance—manufacturers' versus modelers' needs

Abstract

Traditional fire test methods have not required interpretation-pass/fail or a single number was recorded. New methods, such as the Cone Calorimeter or the furniture calorimeter, produce a large array of scientifically based data for each product tested. Thus, the issue of data selection and presentation becomes quite important in being able to adequately utilize such results. The new test methods were first developed and popularized by persons associated with fire-modeling activities. Not surprisingly, the initial developments of data analysis and presentation techniques were such as to be suitable for fire scientists. The tasks of fire scientists, however, are generally different from those of the producers, specifiers or users of various products. These latter classes of users are normally not interested in test diagnostics, portability of data, analysis of environmental effects, etc. Instead, they are interested primarily in questions such as: Is product A better than product B and, if so, by how much? These are entirely proper questions and their answers are essential to correct specification and use of products. In this paper details of variables useful to both classes of individuals are compared and contrasted. Recommendations are made as to certain variables which are essential for the product makerlspecifierluser and which could form the basis of standard product specification formats.

Polyurethane–solid wood composites. II. Flammability parameters

“…The main property determined in the flammability tests was the HRR, which is a basic and important parameter for fire modeling 12–14. Larger HRR (or PHRR or MHRR) and smaller TPHRR equate to more heat being released from a certain surface area of the material when combusted for a certain period of time, resulting in a faster pyrogenating rate and more volatile combustible substances being formed and therefore accelerating the spread of flames.…”

Flammability of diene rubbers

“…For flammability tests, samples of dimensions 100 9 10 9 4 mm were prepared. Using a constant rate of nitrogen flow amounting to 400 l/h, the oxygen flow rate was selected so that a 50 mm sample length burned within time t = 180 s. The sample top was ignited for 15 s by means of a gas burner supplied with a propane-butane mixture [4][5][6]. The value of oxygen index (OI) was expressed in fractions on the basis of the oxygen volume fraction in the oxygen-nitrogen mixture.…”

“…The determinations of flammability in air were also performed, measuring the combustion time of samples whose shape, dimensions, and location as well as ignition time were the same as those in the case of the oxygen index method [4][5][6]. It was quite difficult to prepare shaped samples for flammability measurements due to their adhesion to the metal mold, but this problem was solved by subjecting the elastomers tested to slight cross-linking by means of dicumyl oxide.…”

Fire and thermal resistance properties of chemically treated ligno-cellulosic coconut fabric–reinforced polymer eco-nanocomposites

“…Initially the PE/nanoclay composites were tested for flammability and later the PE/ CS/nanoclay hybrid composites were tested. The key property of HRR which is the single-most parameter for fire performance [31,32] was determined in each case. The flammability characteristics of the natural reinforced composites involve a number of factors which include the orientation of fibers, chemical composition of plant fiber, degree of polymerization, thermal conductivity and the interfacial adhesion between the fiber and the matrix [8].…”