- Author
-
Beitel, J. J.
|
Beyler, C. L.
|
McKenna, L. A.
|
Williams, F. W.
- Title
- Overview of Smoke Toxicity Testing and Regulations.
- Coporate
- Hughes Associates, Inc., Baltimore, MD
Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC
- Report
-
NRL/MR/6180-98-8128
April 15, 1998
35 p.
- Distribution
- AVAILABLE FROM National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161. Telephone: 1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000; Fax: 703-605-6900. Website: http://www.ntis.gov
- Keywords
-
smoke
|
toxicity test methods
|
regulations
|
fire gases
|
fire statistics
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NFPA 269
|
submarines
|
ships
- Identifiers
- International Maritime Organization (IMO); International Standards Organization (ISO); DIN 53 436 method; University of Pittsburg Method (UPITT)
- Abstract
- The issue of the toxicity of the smoke resulting from the combustion of materials is not new. It has been recognized that the greatest number of fire deaths are due to the toxic effects of smoke and not to the thermal effects of the fire. "Every year in the United States about 10,000 people lose their lives because of fires. It has been observed and commented upon that many of these victims are not burned but succumb to the effects of 'smoke' and gases. When deaths from this source are repotted, it is notable that almost never has it been found, specifically, what poisonous gas or gases caused the fatality". This statement was made almost sixty-three years ago and published in the Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association. It serves to remind us that the issue has been recognized for many years and that, despite great effort, the complexity surrounding the issue of smoke toxicity is such that it has not yet been filly resolved. Currently, there is very little regulation based on the smoke toxicity of materials or products. This is true for both the U.S. Navy and the civilian sector; however, the question of "should regulation be imposed?" is continually asked by regulators. The objective of this paper is to provide an analysis of the smoke toxicity issue such that a direction for U.S. Navy regulations can be determined with respect to smoke toxicity. This analysis includes a review of existing regulations, test methods, and the potential use of tests for regulatory purposes. Since the majority of the work in this area has been performed in the civilian sector, this will form the basis of this review, but the work is applicable to the U.S. Navy and will be placed in context with the U.S. Navy's unique problems.