Evaluation of Intumescent Body Panel Coatings in Simulated Post-Accident Vehicle Fires.
Evaluation of Intumescent Body Panel Coatings in
Simulated Post-Accident Vehicle Fires.
(2592 K)
Hamins, A.
NISTIR 6157; 38 p. April 1998.
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
Order number: PB99-113144
Keywords:
automobile accidents; automobile fires; automotive
fuels; firestops; flame extinguishment; intumescent
coatings; pool fires
Abstract:
This report describes a portion of the work undertaken
in Project B.4 (Evaluation of Potential Fire
Intervention Materials and Technologies) of the
Cooperative Research Agreement between General Motors
and NIST. This report was financed by General Motors
pursuant to an agreement between General Motors and the
United States Department of Transportation. The key
objectives of this project are reduction of flame
penetration, heat transfer and transport of toxic gases
to the passenger compartment in a post-collision vehicle
fire. To accomplish these goals, experiments were
conducted using a passive fire protection technology
involving intumescent paints and caulks. These materials
are used in the construction industry to reduce material
flammability and to reduce the penetration of heat and
smoke through doorways and vents. In this study,
experiments investigated the effectiveness of these
materials in protecting body panels during simulated
post-collision vehicle fires. The tested intumescent
coatings reduced heat conduction through a metal body
panel, but failed to close and prevent flames from
penetrating even small (6 mm) holes, which can occur due
to the impact associated with a vehicle collision.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899