The application of flame spread theory to predict material performance

Abstract

A review is presented of recent work which attempts to apply flame spread theories to a wide range of materials. The approach is based on using the theories to develop correlations from material data. The data are derived from small scale tests and are expressed in terms of "properties." Various radiant heating apparatus are discussed, and a wide range of results are presented. The focus of the application is fire spread on walls.

Assessing the Flammability of Composite Materials

“…For turbulent flames this flame flux peaks at 20-30 kW/m2 [1]. These levels are necessarily below the minimum flux for ignition of the material; fluxes at or above this level would yield instantaneous upward spread.…”

“…The NIST LIFT apparatus provides data on lateral flame spread that can be converted to a generalized form useful in full-scale [1]. Here the LIFT device was used in the normal manner and also with a modified sample holder.…”

“…The approach that is being followed in this study is an adaptation of that due to Quintiere [1]. One needs information on these over a range of heat fluxes to treat the problem in a general manner.…”

Dimensional analysis: a magic art in fire research?

“…where X R is the locus of burn out (25) and t B is the time between ignition and burn out. We have the flame length relationship (26) ( )…”

Numerical Simulating Long-Distance Emergency Rescue System for Belt Fire in Coal Mine

“…Karlsson et al further developed the ignition flame model [10]. Quintiere carried out the experimental studies of developing an expression for the flame height, and successfully made use of correlation methods to estimate the flame height from heat flux measurements [11]. Karlsson combined combine the experimental results of Quintiere with the mathematical model of Wichman and Osman [8], and proposed a simple mathematical model [10].…”