Citation

Tewarson A. J. Fire Sci. 1994; 12(4): 329-356.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this paper, flammability parameters associated with the ignition, combustion, and fire propagation processes and their usefulness for the development of fire resistant materials are discussed. The flammability parameters discussed are: (a) Critical Heat Flux (CHF) and Thermal Response Parameter (TRP), associated with ignition, (b) Heat Release Parameter (HRP) and Fire Propagation Index (FPI), associated with combustion and fire propagation. The CHF, TRP, and HRP values can be derived from the data measured in the most commonly used apparatuses: (1) the ohio State University (OSU) Heat Release Apparatus, (2) the Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FMRC) Flammability Apparatus, and (3) the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Flame Spread Apparatus (LIFT) and the Cone Calorimeter. The OSU and FMRC Apparatuses and the Cone Calorimeter generate very similar data for ignition and heat release rate for small horizontal and vertical samples under simulated fire conditions. The NIST LIFT and the FMRC Apparatuses generate very similar data for lateral, upward and downward fire propagation for slabs and cylinders under simulated fire conditions. The FMRC Apparatus is also used to perform Flame Radiation Scaling experiments to determine the range of flame radiative and convective flame heat fluxes transferred to the surface during combustion in small- to large-scale fires, pertinent to the interior material fire scenarios leading to flashover. This paper describes the flammability parameters in terms of the fundamental scientific principles.