Particle and volatile organic emissions from the combustion of a range of building and furnishing materials using a cone calorimeter

Abstract

A series of experimental small-scale fire tests using a cone calorimeter were conducted. The objective of the tests was to provide a comparative assessment of particle and volatile organic compound emissions from the combustion of 10 commonly used types of building and furnishing materials relative to radiata pine, a dominant construction material. The materials tested included wood-based products (particle board, particle board with melamine surface finishes, medium-density fibreboard, painted pine), wool/nylon carpet, polyester insulation, two types of polyurethane (PUR) foams, high density polystyrene with cladding material and plasterboard. Tests were run at two irradiance levels, 25 kW m-2 and 50 kW m-2 under well-ventilated conditions. Samples were collected for analysis of gravimetric mass, particulate organic and elemental carbon, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carbonyls and volatile organic compounds along with continuous measurements of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and fine particles (PM2.5). Under the tested conditions of flaming combustion of 11 materials, the highest pollutant concentrations per mass of specimen burnt resulted from the combustion of polyester insulation, polystyrene with cladding material, PUR foam and a wool/nylon carpet. Among wood-based materials, medium-density fibreboard and particle board with melamine surface ranked highest in emissions, with pine ranking lowest. However, wood-based products make up the majority of mass in building structures so that emissions from wood-based products may contribute more significantly to total emissions and hence to exposures than emissions from the polymeric materials.