Role of Bench-Scale Test Data in Assessing Real-Scale Fire Toxicity.
Role of Bench-Scale Test Data in Assessing Real-Scale
Fire Toxicity.
(6995 K)
Babrauskas, V.; Harris, R. H., Jr.; Braun, E.; Levin, B.
C.; Paabo, M.; Gann, R. G.
NIST TN 1284; 110 p. January 1991.
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
Order number: PB91-167270
Keywords:
toxicity; polyvinyl chloride; fire tests; polyurethane
foams; rigid foams; room tests; wood
Abstract:
The need was seen for establishing a methodology by
which bench-scale fire toxicity methods could be
validated against real-scale room fires. The present
study is the result of a pilot project in this area.
Appropriate validation hypotheses have been put forth
and examined in the context of some initial data. Three
materials--Douglas fir, rigid polyurethane foam, and
PVC--were examined in real-scale and bench-scale
methods. The real-scale test environment was a
post-flashover fire in a three-compartment (room,
corridor, room) geometry, with the test specimens
comprising wall lining materials. The bench-scale
methods examined were the NBS cup furnace method and a
new developmental protocol referred to as the
"SwRI/NIST" method. The N-gas Model was applied to the
analysis of the data and was found to be consistent with
most of the data. The methods were compared for
similarity of gas yields, of primary gases, and of types
of death. Differences were found in individual cases,
but most of those were readily explainable on the basis
of an understanding of the test conditions. As a result
of these studies, a factor-of-3 agreement between
bench-scale and real-scale results was established as
both useful and practical.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899