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Methodology for Obtaining and Using Toxic Potency Data for Fire Hazard Analysis

Published

Author(s)

Vyto Babrauskas, Richard Gann, Barbara C. Levin, M Paabo, Richard H. Harris Jr., Richard Peacock, S Yusa

Abstract

A comprehensive methodology has been developed for obtaining and using smoke toxicity data for fire hazard analysis. This description of the methodology comprises (1) determination that the post-flashover fire is the proper focus of smoke inhalation deaths; criteria for a useful bench-scale toxic potency (LC,,) measurement method; (2) a method which meets these criteria, especially validation against real-scale fires; (3) a computational procedure for correcting the results from the bench-scale test for the CO levels observed in real-scale post-flashover fires; (4) procedures for reducing the usage of animals and broadening the applicability of data by interpreting gas measurement data using the N-Gas Model; and (5) a procedure for identifying whether a product produces smoke within the ordinary range of toxic potency for post-flashover fires.
Citation
Fire Safety Journal
Volume
31

Keywords

fire hazard, hazard analysis, building fires, combustion products, fire models, computer models, death, radiant heating, smoke, toxicity, test methods

Citation

Babrauskas, V. , Gann, R. , Levin, B. , Paabo, M. , Harris Jr., R. , Peacock, R. and Yusa, S. (1998), Methodology for Obtaining and Using Toxic Potency Data for Fire Hazard Analysis, Fire Safety Journal, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=913064 (Accessed March 19, 2024)
Created December 31, 1997, Updated October 12, 2021