- Author
-
Birky, M. M.
|
Manka, M. J.
- Title
- Use of Room and Corridor Tests in Predicting Fire Parameters.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC
- Book or Conf
- University of Utah. Fire Prevention and Control: A Major Societal Problem. Polymer Conference Series. June 4-9, 1973,
Salt Lake City, UT,
1-32 p.,
1973
- Keywords
-
fire prevention
|
fire suppression
|
corridor tests
|
room burns
|
sampling
|
gas analysis
|
smoke measurement
|
chemical analysis
|
smoke
|
gas samples
- Identifiers
- gas sampling; smoke collection
- Abstract
- The extensive use of plastics and other synthetic materials in interior furnishings, including floor coverings, has created a life safety hazard that is attributed to smoke and toxic gases. The reality of this hazard is well demonstrated in the recent nursing home fires and other multiple death fires included in Table 1. Most of these fatalities are attrributed to inhalation of smoke and toxic gases. The severity of the smoke and toxic gas problem is also reflected in the data collected in the National Bureau of Standards Flammable Fabrics Accident Case and Testing Systems (FFACTS). As of April 1, 1972, the data base contained 1616 computerized fire incidents in which there were 1370 injuries resulting in 242 deaths. An analsyis of this data base shows that of these 1370 injuries, 121 were attributed to inhalation resulting in 70 deaths (58% of the inhalation injuries). The death to injury ratio is extremely high compared to the fact that in the same data base, only 18% of all injured victims died.