Time-Dependent Fire Behavior of Aircraft Cabin Materials.
Abstract
In an aircraft cabin or other inhabited compartment, the early stages of fire growth are critical to life safety. During this period the rate of fire growth, as measured by the mass fuel consumption rate m, can be represented approximately as a simple exponential function of time. The rates of development of hazard from temperature rise and smoke and gas accumulation can be related to m. The growth constant k can be related to a small number of system parameters and fuel combustion properties. These properties are identified and laboratory methods for their measurement are suggested. In a fire situation, the critical hazard (temperature, smoke or gas) can be considered to be the one which first reaches a limiting human tolerance level. This mode can be identified and the effects of changes in design and materials on the rate of critical hazard development can be estimated. The simple exponential growth model may provide a means of predicting relative hazard with reasonable accuracy. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA050923
Entities
People
- Clayton Huggett
Organizations
- National Institute of Standards and Technology