Citation

Willis CHH. J. Occup. Accid. 1981; 3(3): 217-224.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper describes an exploratory study into the possibility of identifying the fuel involved in a fire or explosion by the analysis of volatile organic compounds recovered from any remaining liquid or solid material. A desorption system is described. The analysis is carried out by gas/liquid chromatography and the results stored in a data handling system. Materials investigated include soot, plastics, metal oxide films and general residue.It has been found that some plastics will absorb and retain organic vapours in sufficient quantities to enable characterisation of the fuel up to a week after exposure. Positive identification of a fuel may be difficult, but the information should allow some fuels to be discounted and should indicate which are possible candidates.