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Author
Gann, R. G. | Harris, R. H., Jr. | Krasny, J. F. | Levine, R. S. | Mitler, H. E. | Ohlemiller, T. J.
Title
Cigarette Ignition of Soft Furnishings.
Coporate
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
Book or Conf
International Association for Fire Safety Science. Fire Safety Science. Proceedings. 2nd International Symposium. June 13-17, 1988, Hemisphere Publishing Corp., New York, Tokyo, Japan, Wakamatsu, T.; Hasemi, Y.; Sekizawa, A.; Seeger, P. G.; Pagni, P. J.; Grant, C. E., Editors, 77-86 p., 1989
Keywords
fire research | fire safety | fire science | cigarettes | upholstered furniture | ignition | bedding | combustion | mattresses
Abstract
Changes in the propensity of cigarettes to ignite upholstered furniture and bedding could reduce fire losses significantly. This paper describes fundamental and empirical studies of the effect on ignition propensity of varying cigarette characteristics. Reduced tobacco density, circumference and paper porosity were especially effective. Energy transfer from the cigarette to the substrate was measured and relationships between cigarette combustion behavior and ignition propensity were explored. Using these data, computer modeling of the cigarette on a substrate manifested key features of the ignition process. A fully-documented technical report is available.