Citation

Janssens M. Fire Safety J. 1991; 17(3): 217-238.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The importance of energy release rate in a fire is illustrated. Two ways are identified to calculate rate of heat release in compartments fires from wood products: (1) use of detailed mathematical models of wood pyrolysis and combustion, and (2) use of experimental benchscale rate of heat release data. Available wood pyrolysis models are briefly reviewed. The second option is looked at in more detail. Rate of heat release data are presented and analyzed for 22 different wood products, which were tested on the NIST cone calorimeter over the past 7 years. The experimental data cover two orientations, a range of irradiance levels, conditioned and oven dried samples and wood species in a wide range of densities. Oven dry density is used as the key independent variable to analyze the data. Some important conclusions are drawn concerning the influence of density, conditioning, irradiance and specimen orientation on the rate of heat release. Further analysis and more data are required to confirm the results and to provide an answer to the questions which could not be resolved.