Combustibility of Electrical Wire and Cable for Rail Rapid Transit Systems. Volume 1: Flammability.

Abstract

The combustibility of 31 wire and cable samples submitted by 12 manufacturers was evaluated using the Factory Mutual Small-Scale Combustibility Apparatus under simulated external radiation for large-scale fire conditions. Samples of wire and cable were ranked according to seven parameters: ignition/surface flame spread, electrical failure, corrosivity of the fire products, generation of fuel vapors, generation of heat, generation of gaseous compounds, and light obscuration. The hazards expected in wire and cable fires depend not only on the generic nature of the insulation/jacket materials, but also on the additives, size and construction of the wire and cable. An increase in the size of the wire and cable sample is expected to reduce the fire hazard with the degree of hazard reduction dependent on the generic nature of the insulation/jacket materials. A combined hazard index for wire and cable may be possible for end-use application in the future depending on confirmation of predictions based on the seven parameters.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1983
Accession Number
ADA303051

Entities

People

  • A. Tewarson
  • J. Steciak
  • M. M. Khan

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkenes
  • Chemical Compounds
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Combustion
  • Detectors
  • Dielectric Gases
  • Fires
  • Heat Of Combustion
  • Heat Transfer
  • Material Degradation Processes
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Measurement
  • Physical Properties
  • Pyrolysis
  • Test Methods

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electromagnetic Wave Scattering and Antenna Radiation Engineering
  • Fire Suppression Systems Design.
  • Industrial Economics

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems