Citation

Babrauskas V, Wetterlund I. Fire Safety J. 1998; 30(2): 179-194.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In the course of the recent European research programme CBUF, an improved procedure was developed for preparing and testing upholstered furniture composites in the Cone Calorimeter. Since preparation of composite samples can require operator judgement and skill, the procedure especially emphasised tighter control of preparation procedures, in order to achieve optimum reproducibility. The technical features of the new procedure are described here. This new procedure was subjected to extensive international interlaboratory trials ('round robin') to establish its repeatability and reproducibility. Data developed in this round robin are presented. Finally, it is shown that the repeatability and reproducibility achieved with the new method are similar to those demonstrated earlier for building materials. Since the latter products are simple, factory produced materials which do not require special preparatory steps, the success of the quality assurance features built into the new preparation method is considered to be clearly demonstrated.