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Author
Parker, W. J.
Title
Thermal Hardening Considerations Pertaining to Residential Areas.
Coporate
Naval Radiological Defense Lab., San Francisco, CA
Sponsor
Office of Civil Defense, Washington, DC
Report
USNRDL-TR-984
July 6, 1966
60 p.
Distribution
Available from National Technical Information Service
Keywords
residential buildings | thermal radiation | nuclear warfare | flameproofing | fabrics | flame retardants | pyrolysis | ignition
Identifiers
thermal hardening; incendiary effects
Abstract
The incendiary effects of thermal radiation from nuclear weapons on residential areas is considered. It is concluded that a hazard does exist and that the most desirable means of protection is to make the exposed materials ignition resistant. This has the benefit of providing fire protection in peacetime as well as in war and has a better chance of public acceptance. While some fireproof fabrics and flame retardant treatments for cotton and other materials are now available, there are drawbacks which hinder their universal acceptance. The development of new and improved methods of treatment depend upon an improved knowledge of the mechanisms of pyrolysis and ignition and a more fundamental understanding of the action of effective retardants.