Abstract
This paper focuses on the uncertainty associated with the heat release rate calculation for the cone calorimeter. The component uncertainties of the simplifying assumptions and experimental measurements are quantified in order to assess the overall uncertainty of heat release rate calculations, but random uncertainties associated with the sample and operator errors are not considered. An example is presented that shows how the individual component uncertainties propagate through calculation. It is clear that the greatest component uncertainties are attributed to the assumed combustion expansion factor, assumed effective heat of combustion, and the measured oxygen concentration. Having examined the component uncertainties, several strategies for reducing overall uncertainty are proposed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Babrauskas, V. and Peacock, R. D., Heat Release Rate: The Single Most Important Variable in Fire Hazard,’ Fire Safety Journal, Vol. 18 (1992), pp. 255–272.
Huggett, C. Estimation of Rate of Heat Release by Means of Oxygen Consumption,’ Fire and Materials, Vol. 4 (1980), No. 2, pp. 61–65.
Janssens, M. L. Calorimetry,’ Section 3 Chapter 2, The SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering (Second Edition), NFPA, Quincy, Mass., 1995.
ISO 5660, Fire Tests-Reaction to Fire-Part 1: Rate of Heat Release from Building Products (Cone Calorimeter Method),’ International Standards Organisation, Geneva, 1993.
ASTM 1354–905, Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter,’ Annual Book of ASTM Standards, American Society for Testing Materials, Philadelphia, 1995.
NORDTEST, Upholstered Furniture: Burning Behaviour-Full Scale Test,’ NT FIRE 032 NORDTEST, Helsinki, Finland, 1987.
ISO 9705, Fire Tests: Full-Scale Room Test for Surface Products,’ International Standards Organisation, Geneva, 1993.
Babrauskas, V. The Cone Calorimeter,’ Section 3 Chapter 3 of The SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering (Second Edition), NFPA, Quincy, Mass., 1995.
Parker, W. J. Calculation of the Heat Release Rate by Oxygen Consumption for Various Applications,’ NBSIR 81–2427, National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, Md. (1982)
Janssens, M. L. Measuring Heat Release Rate by Oxygen Consumption,’ Fire Technology, Vol. 27 (1991), pp. 234–49.
Enright, P. A., An Uncertainty Analysis of Reaction to Fire Calorimetric Techniques,’ Ph.D. Thesis to be submitted, University of Canterbury, NZ, 1999.
Baird, D. C. Experimentation: An Introduction to Measurement Theory and Experiment Design. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. (1962).
Babrauskas, V. Development of the Cone Calorimeter3-A Bench-scale Heat Release Rate Apparatus based on Oxygen Consumption’ Fire and Materials, Vol. 8 (1984), No. 2, pp. 81–95.
Holman, J. P. Experimental Methods for Engineers, McGraw-Hill Book Company, USA, 1978.
Babrauskas, V. Development of the Cone Calorimeter3-A Bench-scale Heat Release Rate Apparatus based on Oxygen Consumption,’ NBSIR 82–2611, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 1982.
Hayward, A. T. J., Flowmeters, The Macmillan Press Ltd, London, UK, 1979.
Yeager, R. W., Uncertainty Analysis of Energy Release Rate Measurement for Room Fires,’ Journal of Fire Sciences, Vol. 4 (1986), pp. 276–296.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Enright, P.A., Fleischmann, C.M. Uncertainty of Heat Release Rate Calculation of the ISO5660–1 Cone Calorimeter Standard Test Method. Fire Technology 35, 153–169 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015416005888
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015416005888