Behavior of PVC in Fires

Methods used to study the behavior of PVC in fire are described. At the Fire Research Station both laboratory and full-scale tests are carried out; appropriate results are given.     

Neutron activation analysis of palladium,platinum and rhodium in lead foam

The determination of palladium, platinum and rhodium in industrial concentrates such as lead foam and raw lead by neutron activation analysis is described. The noble elements are separated from the matrix by spontaneous deposition on amalgamated copper powder prior to activation. After the determination of palladium and platinum, rhodium is coprecipitated on iron hydroxide, and the precipitate irradiated for the determination of rhodium. The results are compared with those obtained by fire assay. Research Associate of I.I.K.W., Belgium.     

卡拉胶包覆APP微球阻燃水性环氧树脂

以氯化钡提纯k-卡拉胶, 经过氧化氢降解, 通过反相乳液聚合的方式制备了一系列卡拉胶包覆聚磷酸铵(APP)阻燃微球(k-CM/APP); 将其加入到水性环氧树脂(EP)中, 制备了3种钢结构防火涂层EP2, EP3和EP4. 利用红外光谱(IR)、 扫描电子显微镜(SEM)及元素分析(EDS)对k-CM/APP的结构及形貌进行了表征. 利用极限氧指数(LOI)、 垂直燃烧(UL-94)、 背温测试法、 热重分析(TG)、 锥形量热(CONE)、 附着力测试、 IR和SEM等方法分析了涂层的阻燃、 隔热及力学性能. 结果表明, k-CM/APP(3/1)球形结构完整, 800 ℃时的残炭量高达59.5%. 与其它阻燃涂层体系相比, 添加了k-CM/APP(3/1)的EP3防火涂层的极限氧指数达到28.5%, UL-94达到了V-0级, 60 min防火涂层耐火温度为253 ℃. 相比于纯EP涂层, EP3涂层的热释放速率峰值降低了58.26%, 总热释放量降低了20.84%, 附着力达到8.74 MPa.     

Recent advances in the applications of forensic science to fire debris analysis

The forensic discipline of ignitable liquid and fire debris analysis is rapidly changing. Refinements in existing methods as well as development of new techniques are changing the routine methods of analysis. Optimization of existing extraction techniques and research into novel methods of extracting debris have improved the recovery of ignitable liquids from debris samples. The application of highly specialized instrumentation to problems of sensitivity and matrix interference has resulted in new ways of performing chemical analyses, allowing for improved limits of detection. Preliminary research in novel approaches to ignitable liquid comparisons is being evaluated, with the hopes of providing more detailed information to the field investigators. Research into a variety of areas related to fire debris analysis is ongoing, and will continue to improve the quality of ignitable liquid residue analysis.     

火场助燃剂检验鉴定的干扰研究进展

火灾是影响公共安全最为常见的灾害之一,而放火更是严重威胁人民群众生命财产安全,属于典型的暴力犯罪.犯罪嫌疑人为了达到有效快速放火的目的,往往使用助燃剂实施放火,因而助燃剂的检验鉴定对于认定火灾性质起着至关重要的作用.然而火场情况复杂,容易对助燃剂物证检验鉴定产生较大干扰.在火灾发生发展的过程中,火场高温热环境会作用于已...     

Integral fire tests with oil and cable in a nuclear power plant

Experiments with oil pool and cable fires were performed in a former Nuclear Power Plant during the last years. The fire room was a closed subcompartment equipped with ventilation ducts, fire dampers, extinguishing lines and connected by a floor to the plant containment to study fires in a real environment under conditions typical for Nuclear Power Plants. Unsolved issues such as behavior of fire damping components and filters; production of soot; fire fighters entrance to a burning room were evaluated as well as ventilation needs of involved rescue areas. The fire behavior was calculated by different types of fire codes.     

Evaluation of various fire retardants for use in wood flour-polyethylene composites

Wood-plastic composites represent a growing class of materials used by the residential construction industry and the furniture industry. For some applications in these industries, the fire performance of the material must be known, and in some cases improved. However, the fire performance of wood-plastic composites is not well understood, and there is little information regarding the effectiveness of various fire retardants in the public domain. We used oxygen index and cone calorimeter tests to characterize the fire performance of wood flour-polyethylene composites, and compared the results with unfilled polyethylene and solid wood. We then evaluated the effect of five additive-type fire retardants on fire performance. Generally, magnesium hydroxide and ammonium polyphosphate improved the fire performance of WPCs the most while a bromine-based fire retardant and zinc borate improved fire performance the least.     

阻燃聚丙烯共混体系结晶形态研究

本工作利用WAXD、DSC、PLM、PCM和SAIS等手段,对几种具有代表性的阻燃PP共混体系的结晶形态和结晶行为进行了研究。结果表明各种阻燃剂存在,对阻燃PP体系中PP的结晶形态和结晶行为有明显影响。其影响情况取决于这些阻燃剂自身的各种特性。另外,PP的结晶对某些阻燃剂的分散也有一定的影响,其结晶过程是体系中阻燃剂的一个再分散过程。     

Technology development for the production of ABCE fire extinguishing dry powders

A classification of fires depending on combustible material and fire extinguishing means was considered. Advantages offered by fire extinguishing dry powders were described. It was shown that multifunctional ABCE fire extinguishing dry powders mainly consist of ammonium phosphates (mono- and diammonium phosphate and ammophos). Based on the literature and patent review, the technology development for the production of ABCE fire extinguishing dry powders was analyzed and summarized. Possible future directions in the technology development for the production of fire extinguishing dry powders based on ammonium phosphates were explored.     

Fire retardants and fire safety how can tests reflect reality?

In the standard test methods, the thermal action proceeds even today in most cases under the conditions of the well ventilated fire. The intensity of the thermal action varies widely, however, depending on the designed safety level. In the last few years, the outstanding purpose was to test the behaviour of products under the action of fire, in particular the time to the flash-over. The intensity of the fire action rises accordingly, despite the possibility of further free ventilation, to such a degree that the test conditions in laboratory processes can reflect reality only under certain conditions. This philosophy is drawn from the results of statistical investigations in the U.S. is that the time to the flash-over in a room is equal to the time to untenability, because most of the victims of the fire were not present in the room where the fire broke out. Test methods on a real scale that serve this designed safety level will therefore have to work with the high fire action on the products to be tested. In contrast, however, in some European countries the philosophy underlying the adoption of designed safety levels is that the main purpose is to protect human beings who are present in the room where the fire breaks out. According to this philosophy, a fire development that threatens to become dangerous must always be prevented. Consequently, interest is focused mainly on restricting the spread of fire and thus preventing a flash-over. The test methods to be designed with this purpose in view should, therefore, simulate the conditions of the starting fire or the developing fire. The efficiency of a fire retardant can then be evaluated according to whether the fire spread is restricted or not. Under these conditions, the question of the time to be flash-over is of no significance. With standard tests, it is impossible to make a statement as to how far the fire safety of products can be improved by the use of fire retardants unless the safety-relevant range of application for the test method has been defined.     

Performance and mechanisms of fire retardants in polymers—A review

The fundamental mechanisms by which fire retardant additives can interrupt the self-sustained combustion cycle of organic polymers are reviewed. Evaluation of fire retardant performance and methods used for mechanism assessment are discussed. Examples are given of recent mechanistic studies of halogen-based and intumescent systems indicating that some previous generalisations should be revised. It is shown that a deeper understanding of fire retardance mechanisms acquired through detailed thermal degradation studies is the only way to answer the ever increasing demand for polymeric materials characterised by minimised overall fire hazard.     

Fire behaviour of polyamide 6/multiwall carbon nanotube nanocomposites

Nanocomposites of polyamide 6 with 5 wt.% multiwall carbon nanotubes are investigated to clarify their potential as regards the fire retardancy of polymers. The nanocomposites are investigated using SEM, electrical resistivity, and oscillatory shear rheology. The pyrolysis is characterized using thermal analysis. The fire behaviour is investigated with a cone calorimeter using different external heat fluxes, by means of the limiting oxygen index and the UL 94 classification. The fire residue is characterized using SEM. The comprehensive fire behaviour characterization not only allows the materials’ potential for implementation in different fire scenarios and fire tests to be assessed, but also provides detailed insight into the active mechanisms. The increased melt viscosity of the nanocomposites and the fibre-network character of the nanofiller are the dominant mechanisms influencing fire performance. The changes are found to be adjuvant with respect to forced flaming conditions in the cone calorimeter, but also deleterious in terms of flammability.     

Synergistic fire retardancy of colemanite, a natural hydrated calcium borate, in high-impact polystyrene containing brominated epoxy and antimony oxide

This study explores for the first time the synergistic fire retardant action of natural hydrated calcium borate, namely the mineral colemanite, which partially replaces antimony oxide in brominated flame retardant high-impact polystyrene compounds. Various antimony oxide to hydrated calcium borate ratios were employed keeping the brominated flame retardant additive at a constant loading level. With partial colemanite substitution for antimony oxide, lower heat release rate, total heat evolved and fire growth index was obtained under forced flaming fire conditions. Synergism was also seen in limiting oxygen index along with maintained V-0 classification in UL-94 tests. Regarding fire behaviour and flammability ratings, a large antimony oxide to calcium borate ratio provided ultimate fire retardant performance whereas magnitudes of synergism in average heat release rate and total heat evolved tend to be higher towards a smaller ratio. Effective heats of combustion and structural/morphological characterization of fire residues ascribed the underlying mechanism demonstrated by hydrated calcium borate to the formation of a consolidated residue that co-operates with the dominant gas phase fire retardancy originating from bromine-antimony synergism. It is thus proposed that coupling is achieved between gas phase and condensed phase modes of action increasing the overall fire retardant effectiveness. Along with enhanced fire retardancy, thermal stability and mechanical properties were satisfactorily maintained with the use of hydrated calcium borate at a variety of loading levels in compounds.     

Properties of fire agent integrated with molecular sieve and tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid in thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elastomer has a widely application because of its perfect physical and chemical properties. However, it was limited by its low reliability in fire safety. In this paper, a new fire agent integrated with molecular sieve and tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid ([EOOEMIm][BF₄]) was used to improve fire safety of TPU. The fire safety of TPU composites was investigated by cone calorimeter test, smoke density test, and thermogravimetric/infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The results showed that modified molecular sieve (MMS) can improve fire safety of TPU effectively. The luminous flux increased to 10.10%, total smoke release decreased by 58%, and heat release rate declined of 65% than pure TPU when the addition of MMS was 0.5 wt%. In addition, MMS can improve thermal stability of TPU even in nitrogen according to thermogravimetric/infrared spectroscopy test. These proved that MMS has a satisfactory application prospect in fire safe polymer materials.     

阻燃剂对5Ah锂离子软包电池倍率性能和安全性能的影响研究

在电解液中加入不同含量(5 %,10 %,20 %)的阻燃剂,研究了其对LiNi _0.4Co_0.2Mn_0.4 O₂三元材料作为正极材料组装的5 Ah锂离子软包电池的倍率性能、过充性能和短路性能的影响. 实验结果表明,电解液中5 %体积含量的阻燃剂使软包电池在1C和2C放电时,具有最好的倍率性能;当阻燃剂的体积含量提升到20 %,在过充时,电池表面温度升高的最少;在短路实验时,电池不起火、不爆炸.     

电气线路火灾中铜导线一次短路与二次短路的显微组织特征

对电气线路火灾中铜导线的一次短路与二次短路的显微组织特性进行了对比分析,利用二者之间微结构开头上的差异来分析鉴定火灾的起因,为公安消防部门侦破火灾案件提供了有利的科学证据,可使案件侦破率及破案速度大大提高。因而,将此项工作加以推广有十分重要的意义。与金相显微镜比较,用电镜进行观察分析具有放大倍数连续调节范围大,景深大,分辨率高,同时具有图象更清晰,立体感更明显的特点。     

森林泥炭的热解特性及热解动力学

泥炭阴燃是森林地下火的主要燃烧形式之一, 研究泥炭的热解规律对认识其阴燃机理及地下火蔓延机理有重要意义. 本文使用荧光光谱分析技术测定了我国东北林区一种典型泥炭样品的主要元素组成, 并使用热重-差热分析(TG-DTA)技术研究了泥炭样品在惰性气氛中的热解规律. 实验结果表明, 泥炭样品主要由45种元素构成. 从常温到1073 K高温的升温过程中, 泥炭样品的质量损失过程可以分为三个阶段, 依次为水分损失阶段、有机质热解阶段和矿物质分解阶段. 对于泥炭阴燃密切相关的有机质热解阶段, 结合热分析动力学理论和优化计算方法, 建立了描述泥炭有机质热解动力学规律的三组分叠加反应模型.     

Use of decomposition of portlandite in concrete fire as indicator of temperature progression into the material

In field structures affected by fire, the temperature progress through the material. The progression of temperature in the concrete material can be determined by simultaneous differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetry. Also, the analysis of the behaviour of concrete in real concrete, by different techniques, permits the corroboration of the hypothesis of cover calculation. In this study, the analysis of concrete exposed to a very severe fire is studied in order to corroborate the calculus hypothesis and to determine the progression of the temperature inside the affected structure. In this study, the potentiality of the thermal instrumental techniques is studied to determine the situation of the concrete exposed to fire. These results can be used to calculate the residual strength of the concrete structural elements. Also, other auxiliary techniques are used to have some supplementary information about the situation of the concrete exposed to fire. The results are based in concrete samples from a real fire in the Windsor Building in Madrid. The Windsor Building in Madrid was project in 1974 and built between 1975 and 1979. This building was severely damaged by a serious fire on the 12th of February 2005, which lasted approximately 12?h.     

家用电热器具火灾残留物的SEM分析

模拟家用电热器具火灾残留物,用SEM(扫描电子显微镜)对火灾残留物中的电热丝显微形貌进行观察.结果表明:在不同试验条件下,电热丝的显微形貌有明显的不同,可以直观、快速地鉴别家用电热器具在火灾发生之前所处的状态,为家用电热器具火灾原因的认定提供了一种新的技术方法.     

The effect of inclination angle on fire behaviors of stay cable in an intercepted double-layer cable model

Understanding the fire characteristics of stayed-cable bridge, such as fire growth, during accidental fire is essential to develop prevention strategies for potential damage. This study focuses on the effects of high cable fire that may result from a short circuit or a lightning strike since high flammability heat release characteristics of HDPE sheath causes burning of nearby cables. Fire propagation behaviors on one single cable and between two adjacent cables under working conditions with different inclination angles were obtained. The temperature distribution, drop ignition behaviors and flame spread rate were analyzed. The results show that flame propagation characteristics of stay cables seriously changed as the angle of inclination increases, which explain the fracture sequence of cables to some extent for the Red Stone Bridge fire event. The particle size of molten substance formed by combustion of the upper-layer cables increases, and the ignition position for the under-layer cable gradually moves down as the increase of inclination angle. Moreover, increased inclination angle also resulted in increase in flame height and molten drops flow rate and reduce in the duration of the prosperity stage for cable fire. Although HDPE sheath is a protective device, it does prevent the combustion for inner strands from becoming intense, but once ignited, would become the main fire load, promoting fire development.