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Abstract

The potential of buildingmaterials to contribute to fire growth and spread has led to extensive regulatory control. Various and numerous small-scale tests are used to simulate and characterize flammability, flame spread and smoke production. Recently, the Fire Science and Technology Laboratory at CSIRO conducted an extensive research project into the performance in fire of flooringand floor coverings. Specifically, this paper focuses on an evaluation of four tests that could be used for controllingfloor coverings, namely the Cone Calorimeter, the Flooring Radiant Panel (FRP), the LIFT Apparatus and the Early Fire Hazard Test (EFH). The reason behind the test selection was that the first three tests are internationally recognized while the fourth is a valuable, well-documented and validated Australian test that is referred to in the BuildingCode of Australia. EFH was originally developed to regulate wall lining materials but its use has been extended to regulate almost everythingelse, including floor coverings. Detailed test measurements in these apparatuses included ignition times in the Cone and EFH, critical heat flux in the Cone, FRP, LIFT and EFH, and rate of heat release and smoke yield in the Cone and EFH. Comparisons of similar parameters were made to investigate consistency of test results within the present regulatory requirements for floor coverings. In addition, prediction of flooringmaterial behavior in each of these tests based on results from the rest of the tests was explored. Based on this comparison, the significance of each test with regard to providing information for flammability properties of relevance to control of floor coverings is established.

Keywords

buildingm aterial performance floor coverings flammability properties test methods fire

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References

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Delichatsios, M.A.

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Flammability Tests for Assessing Carpet Performance

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