- Author
-
Lawson, J. R.
- Title
- Interlaboratory Evaluation of the Attic Floor Radiant Panel Test and Smoldering Combustion Test for Cellulose Thermal Insulation. Final Report.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Sponsor
- Consumer Product Safety Commission, Bethesda, MD
- Report
-
NBSIR 79-1588,
February 1979,
38 p.
- Keywords
-
flame spread
|
smoldering combustion
|
test methods
|
thermal insulation
|
interlaboratory evaluation
- Abstract
- An interlaboratory test program was conducted to provide estimates of repeatability and reproducibility of fire tests for cellulose loose fill insulation. The test methods evaluated were for critial radiant flux, using the Attic Floor Radiant Panel, and for smoldering combustion; they were based on Federal Specification HH-I-515D. Seven commercially manufactured cellulose thermal insulations marketed for residential use were evaluated by each procedure. An additional set of four replicate hardboard specimens were tested by each participant using the Attic Floor Radiant Panel. Nine laboratories conducted the Attic Floor Radiant Panel test, and ten conducted tests for smoldering combustion. The testing was conducted during the month of June 1978. The participating laboratories were surveyed prior to testing in order to ensure conformance to the critical details of the test apparatus and procedures. The between-laboratory coefficient of variation for critical radiant flux ranged from 13 to 30 percent with an average for seven insulation materials of 21 percent. Estimated precision levels of repeatability and reporducibility for the Attic Floor Radiant Panel test when compared to other standard flame spread tests and materials are favorable. Data from the Smoldering Combustion test was evaluated on a pass/fail basis with agreement by nine of ten laboratories for six of the seven materials tested. Seven of ten laboratories also agreed on the seventh material. Based on work of this study, there is reasonable assurance that results from different laboratories evaluating the same material for compliance with Federal Specification HH-I-5l5D will be consistent.