Comparison of test protocols for standard room/corner tests

Abstract

As part of international efforts to evaluate alternative reaction-to-fire tests, several series of room/comer tests have been conducted. This paper reviews the overall results of related projects in which different test protocols for standard room/corner tests were used. Differences in the test protocols involved two options for the ignition burner scenario and whether the ceiling was also lined with the test materials. The test materials were placed on three walls of the room in all the tests. The two burner scenarios were (1) 40 kW for 300 s followed by 160 kW for 300 s and (2) 100 kW for 600 s and 300 kW for 600 s. Materials tested were mostly different wood products but included gypsum board and a few foam plastics. The 40- and 160-kW burner scenario without the ceiling lined does not provide a severe enough test for fire-retardant-treated materials. Use of the 100- and 300-kW burner scenario without lining the ceiling provided the ability to differentiate wood products with flame spread indexes of 70 to 125 from those with higher flame spread indexes. Lining the ceiling with the test material provides for a more severe test.

Citation

White, R. H.; Dietenberger, M. A.; Tran, H.; Grexa, O.; Richardson, L.; Sumathipala, K.; Janssens, M. 1998. Comparison of test protocols for standard room/corner tests. Fire and materials `98 : 5th international conference, February 1998, San Antonio, TX, USA. London : Interscience Communications, 1998.:p. 77-88.