Toxic potency measurement for fire hazard analysis

Summary

This report is the principal product of a long-term research program to provide a technically sound methodology for obtaining and using smoke toxicity data for hazard analysis. It establishes:

• (a) an improved bench-scale toxic potency¹ measurement, one which represents the important combustion conditions of real fires; and

• (b) a design and analysis framework which will allow the toxic potency data to be used in a rational, consistent, appropriate, and adequate way.

This establishment of proper bench-scale test conditions, validation of the output against real-scale fire measurements, and development of a consistent framework for the inclusion of toxic potency in fire hazard² analysis is unique and represents a successful, usable implementation of the state of the art.

This method focuses on post-flashover fires. The U.S. fire statistics show that 69% of all fire deaths are associated with post-flashover fires, with the preponderance of deaths due to smoke inhalation and occurring outside the room of fire origin. These fires are characterized by:

• • primarily radiant heating, with heat fluxes from about 20 to 150 kW/m² throughout the room;

• • many items simultaneously on fire; and

• • vitiated combustion air for some, but not all, burning items.