- Author
- Loftus, J. J. | Peacock, R. D.
- Title
- Clearances and Methods of Protection for Wall and Ceiling Surfaces Exposed to Radiant Heating Appliances.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Sponsor
- Department of Energy, Washington, DC Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC
- Report
- NBS TN 1205; NBS Technical Note 1205, December 1984, 112 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- ceilings | chimneys | fire codes | fire protection | fire tests | interior finishes | radiant energy | residential buildings | stoves | walls
- Abstract
- The Center for Fire Research in the National Bureau of Standards has evaluated the fire hazard potential associated with the installation and use of solid fuel burning appliances (and chimney connectors) in residential housing. For this three-part study, mock-up and full scale room walls and ceilings were exposed to radiant energy from chimney connectors and an appliance operated under normal and overfire conditions at various distance or clearnaces from the room members. Peak surface temperature rise measurements were made on exposed and protected walls and ceilings and comparisons were made with surface temperature rise limitations established by building and fire codes. In the testing program, a total of 19 different thermal barriers or protection systems were evaluated and a number were found capable of providing adequate thermal protection. Particularly effective were those systems which used a sheet metal plate or two sheet metal plates with an insulative layer between them mounted in front of a wall or ceiling and separated from the room surface by a 25 mm (l in) air space. This provision for air to circulate freely between a room member and its protector poved to be an extremely improtant factor in providing for increased fire safety. Based on these findings, recommendations are made which building and fire code officials may find useful in preparing fire safety codes and regulations designed to protect the consumer from personal and property damage caused by unwanted fires.