Effects of Variations in Incident Heat Flux When Using Cone Calorimeter Test Data for Prediction of Full-Scale Heat Release Rates of Polyurethane Foam
Date
2016
Authors
Robson, Luke
Torvi, David
Obach, Matthew
Weckman, Elizabeth
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Wiley
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Article
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Abstract
The development of methods to predict full-scale fire behaviour using small-scale test data is of great interest to the fire community. This study evaluated the ability of one model, originally developed during the European Combustion Behaviour of Upholstered Furniture (CBUF) project, to predict heat release rates. Polyurethane foam specimens were tested in the furniture calorimeter using both centre and edge ignition locations. Input data was obtained using cone calorimeter tests and infrared video-based flame area measurements. Two particular issues were investigated: how variations in incident heat flux in cone calorimeter tests impact heat release rate predictions, and the ability of the model to predict results for different foam thicknesses. Heat release rate predictions showed good agreement with experimental results, particularly during the growth phase of the fire. The model was more successful in predicting results for edge ignition tests than for centre ignition tests, and in predicting results for thinner foams. Results indicated that, due to sensitivity of the burning behaviour to foam specimen geometry and ignition location, a single incident heat flux could not be specified for generating input for the CBUF model. Potential methods to determine appropriate cone calorimeter input for various geometries and ignition locations are discussed.
Description
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article:
Robson LD, Torvi DA, Obach MR and Weckman EJ (2016). Effects of Variations in Incident Heat Flux When Using Cone Calorimeter Test Data for Prediction of Full-Scale Heat Release Rates of Polyurethane Foam. Fire and Materials, 40:89-113
which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/fam.2271.
This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Us of Self-Archived Versions.
Keywords
furniture calorimeter, fire testing, cone calorimeter, fire modeling, scaling, polyurethane foam
Citation
Robson, L.D., Torvi, D.A., Obach, M.R. & Weckman, E.J. (2016). Effects of Variations in Incident Heat Flux When Using Cone Calorimeter Test Data for Prediction of Full-Scale Heat Release Rates of Polyurethane Foam. Fire and Materials, 40: 89-113. https://doi.org/10.1002/fam.2271
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Citation
Robson, L.D., Torvi, D.A., Obach, M.R. & Weckman, E.J. (2016). Effects of Variations in Incident Heat Flux When Using Cone Calorimeter Test Data for Prediction of Full-Scale Heat Release Rates of Polyurethane Foam. Fire and Materials, 40: 89-113. https://doi.org/10.1002/fam.2271