- Author
- Zinn, B. T. | Cassanova, R. A., Sr. | Bankston, C. P. | Powell, E. A. | Browner, R. F. | Rhee, J. U.
- Title
- Investigation of the Properties of the Combustion Products Generated by Fire-Retarded Polyurethanes. Final Report. October 1, 1976-September 30, 1977.
- Coporate
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
- Sponsor
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
- PRC-RP-75-1-15-Revised, 1978, 76 p.
- Keywords
- polyurethane foams | combustion products | fire retardants | physical properties | chemical properties | smoke | urethanes | fire tests | particle size distribution | ventilation | gas temperature | weight loss
- Abstract
- This report describes the research conducted under a Products Research Committee project entitled "Investigation of the Properties of the Combustion Products Generated by Fire-Retarded Polyurethanes." The objective of this study is to determine the physical and chemical properties of smoke produced by burning polyurethane foams. Five flexible urethane foams of known composition have been burned under a variety of conditions simulating actual fire situations. Measurements have been made of smoke particle size distributions, total smoke particulate mass generated, smoke mean particle diameter, smoke optical density and sample weight loss. Results show that the measured characteristics are dependent upon the ventilation gas temperature at which samples are burned under both flaming and nonflaming conditions. However, differences between flaming and nonflaming combustion are observed in the trends of the measured quantities as environmental temperature changes. Also, differences in smoke properties are noted among the five urethane compositons considered. Finally, the results of initial room temperature tests of PRC Sample Bank mateial GM23 are reported.