Bibliotek

The results of a study to identify an alternative test protocol to the ASTM E-84 (Steiner Tunnel) test as a measure of flammability for foamed plastics are presented. New fire test apparatuses, namely, the Cone Calorimeter and the Lateral Ignition and Flame Spread apparatus were used to more completely characterize foamed plastic flammability. Key flammability properties obtained from these apparatuses describe ignitability, flame spread rate, rate of heat release, and smoke obstruction. An extensive data set of these flammability properties for 10 selected foamed plastics was generated. The tested materials included melting foams (polystyrene foams) and charring foams (polyurethanes, polyisocyanurate and phenolic foams). The effects of melting and dripping were limited by testing the materials in the horizontal orientation. In addition, an integrated approach to material flammability characterization is presented that uses these parameters to predict fire growth potential.