- Author
- Gross, D. | Loftus, J. J.
- Title
- Flame Spread Properties of Building Finish Materials.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Journal
- ASTM Bulletin, No. 230, 56-60, May 1958
- Report
- TP 134,
- Keywords
- building materials | flame spread | statistical analysis
- Identifiers
- radiant panel test apparatus; standard deviation as a function of mean flame spread index; materials list; flame spread and smoke deposit data. effect of base material - average of 4 tests; effect of finish material thickness upon flame spread index ratio for two base materials
- Abstract
- In the specification of materials for the interior finish of buildings and other structures, the flame spread behavior of the material may be as important as strength, ease of application, appearance, durability, or other qualities. The previous lack of a simple and relatively inexpensive method of evaluation has delayed the comprehensive study of this fire characteristic of materials. Completion of the development of the radiant panel flame spread test method at the National Bureau of Standards has now made this study possible. Data applied to several common wall base materials, as well as on other interior and exterior lining materials. The numerical index appears to classify materials in an order generally consistent with information currently available on their behavior during fires. Additional data obtained from full scale and model testing are required to detemine the relationship between the radiant panel flame-spread index of a material and the actual fire hazard involved with a structure lined with this material.