Effects of thickness and ignition location on flame spread rates in furniture calorimeter tests of polyurethane foam

Abstract

Furniture calorimeter tests of polyurethane foam specimens were conducted to determine the effects of ignition location and specimen thickness on measured flame spread rates. These measurements were made using a new procedure that measured flame areas using infrared video records. Furniture calorimeter tests were conducted using specimens with thicknesses ranging between 2.5 cm and 10 cm, which were ignited in either the centre or on one edge. Flame spread rates increased with foam thickness, and flame spread rates in centre ignition tests were quicker than in edge ignition tests. These flame spread measurements will be used in a model, along with heat release rate data from cone calorimeter tests of the same foam, in order to predict heat release rates in furniture calorimeter tests of polyurethane foam slabs.