Citation

Zinn BT, Powell EA, Cassanova RA, Bankston CP. Fire Safety J. 1977; 1(1): 23-36.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1977, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper describes results obtained in a program investigating the physical and chemical properties of particulates generated during the burning of three commonly used materials. Small samples of wood, rigid urethane foam and polyvinyl chloride plastic have been burned under non-flaming conditions at room temperature in a ventilated combustion products test chamber. Continuous measurements have been made of smoke particle average size, particle size distributions, particulate optical density, particulate volume and mass concentrations, and particulate index of refraction utilizing an aerosol sampling system and an in situ scattered and attenuated light optical system. Non-flaming tests have been run in different ventilation gas compositions and at three radiant heating levels in an attempt to simulate real-fire situations. A review of previous results obtained by the aerosol sampling system is followed by presentation of new data taken with the in situ optical system. This data shows that average smoke particle sizes tend to vary during a test. Furthermore, particle sizes are generally larger for tests run at the highest heating rates. Available data also indicates that the physical characteristics of the smoke particles are relatively for non-flaming conditions. These results are consistent with previously reported aerosol sampling data. Also, continuous optical density measurements are presented, which allow the determination of the relative tendency of a smoldering material to obscure vision under different conditions. Finally, scanning electron microscope photographs provide new information on the detailed nature of smoke particles generated during non-flaming combustion.