- Author
- Lawson, J. R. | Parker, W. J.
- Title
- Development of an Ease of Ignition Test Using a Flame Exposure.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Sponsor
- Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC Gypsum Association, Evanston, IL
- Report
- NBSIR 82-2503, July 1982, 64 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- building materials | fire tests | heat flux | ignition | ease of ignition tester | room fires
- Abstract
- A Test for the ease of ignition of interior finish materials by flame exposure was developed. Two specimens, 140 mm (5.5 in) wide by 152 mm (6 in) high, face each other at a distance of 53 mm (2.1 in) apart. A methane diffusion flame passes between their surfaces and extends to about 152 mm (6 in) above them. The operator observes the specimen surface and records the time-to-flame attachment. A phototube, which views the exposure flame, shows a marked increase in output when the specimens start contributing fuel. The times-to-flame attachment were compared with the observed times of wall involvement in some full-scale tests. The ignition sensitivity is expressed by the time-to-flame attachment and by the time-to-fuel contribution. The times-to-flame attachement measured in the ignition apparatus generally ranked 22 materials with the observed times of wall involvement in full-scale test. The results of this test may be useful as one factor in computer models of fire growth in enclosures.