Ten lightweight sandwich panel systems with cores of cellular plastics have been subjected to a 10-minute furnace test modelled on AS 1530, Part 4 [1], and their behaviour studied in relation to fire performance requirements for materials in the Australian Model Uniform Building Code. It was found that none of the lightweight sandwich panel systems assessed performed well in the furnace test. Difficulties were experienced with the test procedure and inter pretation of results. Amendments to the code requirements are proposed.
Standards Association of Australia, Fire Resistance Test for Structures AS 1530 Part 4-1975 (1975).
2.
Standards Association of Australia, Test for Early Fire Hazard Properties of Materials, AS 1530 Part 3-1976 (1976).
3.
Dowling, V.P. and Martin, K.G., "Radiant Panel Fire Tests on Cellular Plastics Insulation," J Thermal Insulation, 8, 314 (1985).
4.
Dowling, V.P. and Martin, K.G., Assessment of Fire Performance of Rigid Cellular Plastics in Building, Part 2, Furnace Exposure of Sandwich Panels, CSIRO Division of Building Research Report, Melbourne (1981).
5.
Eickner, H.W. , "Fire Endurance of Wood-Frame and Sandwich Wall Panels," J Fire and Flammability, 6, 155 (1975).
6.
Imperial Chemical Industries Limited, "A Brief Analysis of the Results of Small Scale Fire Resistance Tests on Panels with Rigid Urethane Foam Cores," ICI Urethane Chemicals (UK), References 33-4 (undated).
7.
Aston, R., Expanded Polystyrene in Building Design-Fire Information, Expanded Polystyrene Product Manufacturers Association, London (1976).
8.
Fisher, R.W. and Smart, P.M.T., Results of Fire Resistance Tests on Elements of Building Construction , Building Research Establishment Report, HMSO:London (1975).
9.
International Standards Organization, Fire Resistance Tests on Elements of Building Construction, ISO/DIS834 (1973 ).
10.
Keough, J.J. , Plastics Flammability, The Australian Approach , Paper presented to the Plastics Institute of Australia Seminar, Plastics and Fire-1977, Melbourne (August, 1977).
