Radiative Ignition and Opposed Flow Flame Spread Measurements on Materials.

The purpose of this study is to develop a fire-testing method that relates material ignitability and flame spread in the creeping mode. The analytical approach involves parameters and solutions arising from transient heat condition to a semi-infinite solid. Experimental data are generated on an apparatus employing a radiant panel to provide a varying heat flux to test specimens. Flame-spread rates and ignition events are measured against incident radiation and exposure time. The flame-spread data for given materials are correlated for varying exposure conditions by plotting the inverse square root of the flame-spread velocity against a product of the heat flux and a time function. The test and analysis results are shown for six diverse materials representative of aircraft (interior panels, carpeting, and seat cushions) and buildings (plywood, polymethyl methacrylate, and rigid foam). (Author)