Fire Tests of Men's Suits on Racks. Report of Test.
Fire Tests of Men's Suits on Racks. Report of Test.
(314 K)
Stroup, D. W.; DeLauter, L. A.; Lee, J.; Roadarmel, G.
L.
Report of Test FR 4013; FR 4013; 25 p. December 15,
2001.
Keywords:
clothing; fire data; fire models; fire tests; heat
release rate; heat flux; mass loss
Abstract:
A series of fire tests were conducted to characterize
the potential hazard from ignition of men's suits
hanging on racks. The fire test scenario was selected as
part of a fire investigation being conducted by the U.S.
Department of Treasury's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and
Firearms. Heat release rate was determined as a function
of time from ignition using the oxygen depletion
principle. In addition, the total heat flux from the
burning suits and the mass loss were measured. Three
tests were conducted with the suits placed in the open
under a large calorimeter. The suits were ignited either
in the center or at the end of the rack with a propane
torch. Peak heat release rates obtained during the tests
ranged from approximately 1 MW to 2 MW.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899