Fire Performance of Furnishings as Measured in the NBS Furniture Calorimeter. Part 1.
Fire Performance of Furnishings as Measured in the NBS
Furniture Calorimeter. Part 1.
(3379 K)
Lawson, J. R.; Walton, W. D.; Twilley, W. H.
NBSIR 83-2787; 133 p. January 1984.
Order number: PB84-155639
Keywords:
furniture; calorimeters; heat release rate; mass loss;
radiant energy; smoke; oxygen consumption
Abstract:
A heat release rate calorimeter developed at the
National Bureau of Standards was used to measure the
fire performance of a wide range of furnishings. The
heat release rates measured in the calorimeter are
determined through the use of oxygen consumption
techniques. Data are presented on the free burning
characteristics of 28 tests involving 23 different types
of furnishings. The furnishings evaluated are classed
into the following groups: easy chairs, sofas, waiting
room and patient chairs, wardrobe closets, bookcase and
bedding. The information presented in this report will
provide a basis for selecting types of furniture to be
used in health care facilities, hospitals and other
living facilities. The test results also provide
information needed by other areas of fire research, such
as the study of fire growth in compartments and
mathematical modeling of fire development. In addition
to heat release rates, data are given on the rates of
mass loss, thermal radiation and smoke production from
the burning furniture specimens.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899