Heat Release Rate Tests of Plastic Trash Containers.
Heat Release Rate Tests of Plastic Trash Containers.
(1258 K)
Stroup, D. W.; Madrzykowski, D.
Report of Test FR 4018; FR 4018; 17 p. April 24, 2003.
Keywords:
fire data; fire models; fire tests; heat release rate;
heat flux; experiments; debris
Abstract:
Two experiments were conducted to characterize the
potential hazard from ignition of nominal 136 L (30 gal)
trash containers made from high density polyethylene
(HDPE) and loaded with cellulosic debris. Heat release
rate was measured as a function of time from ignition
using a furniturescale oxygen consumption calorimeter.
In addition, total heat flux was measured at a location
approximately 1 m from the trash container centerline.
The two trash containers were observed to burn in a
different manner due to the way the containers melted.
In the first test, the container opened up from the top
down and had a peak heat release rate of approximately
300 kW. In the second case, the trash container melted
and opened from the midpoint in the container down. This
resulted in a container that tended to close up instead
of open up and yielded a peak heat release rate of
approximately 150 kW. Heat release rate and heat flux
time histories and photographs are presented for both
experiments.
