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Transient Combustion Calorimetry (TCC) Project

Research Overview

An extensive set of fire experiments was conducted to support the development of guidance to improve the realism for how transient fires are modeled in Probabilistic Risk Assessments (PRA).This project was a joint collaboration between the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) under a memorandum of understanding on fire research. Building upon the progress of NUREG-2178 (EPRI 3002005578), Refining and Characterizing Heat Release Rates from Electrical Enclosures during Fire (RACHELLE-FIRE), Volume 1, Peak Heat Release Rates and Effect of Obstructed Plume, issued April 2016, on HRRs and obstructed plume, the research continued on other areas related to fire modeling and fire heat release rates (HRRs).
<br>NOTE: There are minor discrepancies between the summary values reported in NUREG-2232 and this FCD database. The method described by NIST TN2077 includes a flow profile shape correction of 1.033 that was not used in the original data analysis. The NUREG-2232 report used a constant value of 13.1 kJ/g oxygen specific energy value, while values reported here use custom energy values for homogeneous specimens. There are additional discrepancies related to the time integration period. The FCD always used the period from ignition to fire out, while the NUREG-2232 report chose test specific time windows. For example, the FCD data from Test041 includes the somewhat artificial peak HRR at 30 min when the fire flares up during extinguishment.

Experiment Name Plot of Heat Release Rate Ignition Photo Date/Time Specimen Sort descending Fuel Type Test Duration (min) Total Heat Released (MJ) Peak HRR (kW)
NGCal_3mHood_300kW_2kgs
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
box gas burner Natural Gas
23.00
186.9
328
Test053_CanvasTarp12x12_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
canvas tarp Cellulose
9.68
51.6
499
Test054_CanvasTarp12x12_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
canvas tarp Cellulose
8.62
52.5
612
Test055_CanvasTarp12x12_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
canvas tarp Cellulose
60.25
19.2
12.80
Test008_BigBoxPeanuts2ft_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
cardboard and expanded polystyrene (EPS) peanuts Cellulose, Plastic
4.90
37.5
580
Test011_BigBoxPeanuts 2ft_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
cardboard and expanded polystyrene (EPS) peanuts Cellulose, Plastic
5.52
37.3
600
Test015_BigBoxPeanuts2ft_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
cardboard and expanded polystyrene (EPS) peanuts Cellulose, Plastic
6.87
38.0
595
Test012_BigBoxPaper 2ft_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
cardboard and shreded paper Cellulose
15.52
36.1
482
Test016_BigBoxShreds2ft_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
cardboard and shreded paper Cellulose
14.42
36.1
369
Test009_BigBox Paper2ft_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
cardboard shreded paper Cellulose
10.52
32.2
463
Test003_5HeptaneRags_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
cotton rags soaked with heptane Cellulose
15.60
6.44
46.8
Test005_5HeptaneRags_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
cotton rags soaked with heptane Cellulose
23.10
6.99
49.7
Test006_5HeptaneRags_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
cotton rags soaked with heptane Cellulose
17.52
6.22
54.2
Test031_ExtensionCord12awg_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
electric cord Plastic
10.28
below detection limit
1.02
Test032_ExtensionCord12awg_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
electric cord Plastic
10.05
below detection limit
below detection limit
Test033_ExtensionCord12awg_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
electric cord Plastic
5.73
below detection limit
0.96
Test034_WelderExtCord8awg_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
electric cord Plastic
10.13
below detection limit
0.82
Test035_WelderExtCord8awg_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
electric cord Plastic
10.10
0.25
1.36
Test036_WelderExtCord8awg_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
electric cord Plastic
10.42
below detection limit
1.03
Test001_EmptyBox1ft_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
empty cardboard box Cellulose
4.55
6.01
150.3
Test002_EmptyBox1ft_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
empty cardboard box Cellulose
4.60
5.97
158.8
Test004_EmptyBox1ft_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
empty cardboard box Cellulose
5.12
6.04
136.1
Test0104_BigEmptyBox2ft_R4
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
empty cardboard box Cellulose
5.32
25.8
468
Test007_BigEmptyBox2ft_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
empty cardboard box Cellulose
4.82
26.0
403
Test010_BigEmptyBox 2ft_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
empty cardboard box Cellulose
4.33
26.1
568
Test014_BigEmptyBox2ft_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
empty cardboard box Cellulose
5.73
26.5
443
Test037_PPEbagQuarter_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
gloves and coveralls Plastic
32.87
10.12
17.7
Test101_PPEonShelf_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
gloves and coveralls Plastic
37.70
45.8
71.7
Test038_PPEbagHalf_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
gloves and coveralls Plastic
31.73
24.6
30.1
Test039_PPEbagFull_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
gloves and coveralls Plastic
29.80
52.8
112.7
Test103_PPEonShelf_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
gloves and coveralls Plastic
35.45
57.1
121.8
Test040_PPEbagQuarter_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
gloves and coveralls Plastic
29.83
9.33
13.09
Test041_PPEbagHalf_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
gloves and coveralls Plastic
30.43
24.7
69.3
Test042_PPEbagFull_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
gloves and coveralls Plastic
29.22
51.4
114.8
Test043_PPEbagQuarter_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
gloves and coveralls Plastic
27.08
10.46
22.4
Test044_PPEbagHalf_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
gloves and coveralls Plastic
21.65
25.0
61.1
Test045_PPEbagFull_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
gloves and coveralls Plastic
21.27
52.3
187
Test062_250mL_Linseed_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
linseed oil Plastic
24.95
1.15
1.92
Test063_250mL_Linseed_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
linseed oil Plastic
28.57
1.00
1.75
Test065_250mL_Linseed_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
linseed oil Plastic
25.27
1.49
2.52
Test024_MopBucket_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
mop rags and bucket Cellulose, Plastic
26.42
37.8
66.5
Test025_MopBucket_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
mop rags and bucket Cellulose, Plastic
22.18
41.3
115.9
Test026_MopBucket_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
mop rags and bucket Cellulose, Plastic
24.72
38.8
95.2
Test079_NylonRope_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Nylon rope Nylon
54.85
92.0
76.0
Test080_NylonRope_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Nylon rope Nylon
4.78
0.261
3.01
Test081_NylonRope_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Nylon rope Nylon
65.35
29.6
27.9
Test064_LinseedOilRags_R0
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
oily rags Plastic
37.17
9.71
11.58
Test066_LinseedOilRags_R02
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
oily rags Cellulose, Oil
49.65
8.09
11.31
Test093_Pallet_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
pallet Cellulose
15.20
0.71
2.11
Test094_Pallet_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
pallet Cellulose
17.28
1.16
2.58
Test095_RadPallet_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
rad panel ON
pallet Cellulose
21.93
below detection limit
0.89
Test096_RadPallet_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
radiant panel ON (warm up)
pallet Cellulose
20.57
below detection limit
below detection limit
Test097_RadPallet_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
radiant panel ON (but blocked)
pallet Cellulose
20.30
0.85
1.55
Test027_BlowerDuct_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic air duct Plastic
4.72
0.424
9.05
Test028_BlowerDuct_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic air duct Plastic
3.77
0.480
6.15
Test029_BlowerDuct_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic air duct Plastic
4.38
0.282
5.20
Test076_PlasticChain_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic chain Plastic
21.50
below detection limit
1.84
Test077_PlasticChain_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic chain Plastic
56.72
32.1
30.1
Test078_PlasticChain_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic chain Plastic
65.18
26.2
21.3
Test084_PatioChair_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic chair Plastic
46.77
103.7
209
Test085_PatioChair_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic chair Plastic
65.10
102.6
159.9
Test086_PatioChair_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic chair Plastic
46.70
103.9
208
Test073_PlasticStanchion_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic pole Plastic
33.70
42.6
69.3
Test074_PlasticStanchion_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic pole Plastic
56.27
36.4
48.2
Test075_PlasticStanchion_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic pole Plastic
60.17
36.8
49.4
Test046_ShopVac_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic shop vaccum Plastic
60.25
295
545
Test047_ShopVac_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic shop vaccum Plastic
0.42
below detection limit
1.92
Test048_ShopVac_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic shop vaccum Plastic
0.38
0.025
2.26
Test049_ShopVac_R4
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic shop vaccum Plastic
60.30
308
534
Test052_FRtarp15x10_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic tarp Plastic
56.55
54.4
83.0
Test020_SilverTarp_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic tarp Plastic
22.18
36.0
71.0
Test017_SilverTarp_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic tarp Plastic
20.33
3.58
9.19
Test050_FRtarp15x10_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic tarp Plastic
36.05
51.7
83.0
Test018_SilverTarp_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic tarp Plastic
28.42
34.3
76.2
Test051_FRtarp15x10_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic tarp Plastic
47.58
53.7
50.6
Test019_SilverTarp_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Plastic tarp Plastic
22.17
36.1
200
Test056_250mL_propanol_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
propanol liquid Plastic
20.58
7.44
217
Test060_250mL_propanol_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
propanol liquid Plastic
27.88
7.09
146.1
Test061_250mL_propanol_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
propanol liquid Plastic
19.98
7.17
147.4
Test030_GardenHose_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Rubber hose Rubber
66.10
41.8
24.9
Test082_GardenHose_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Rubber hose Rubber
13.43
0.48
1.40
Test083_GardenHose_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Rubber hose Rubber
16.23
0.68
1.57
Test057_TrashCanQuarter_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Rubber trash can Plastic
34.12
150.5
300
Test058_TrashCanHalf_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Rubber trash can Plastic
40.38
160.9
289
Test059_TrashCanFull_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Rubber trash can Plastic
43.90
172
186
Test067_TrashCanQuarter_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Rubber trash can Plastic
39.97
138.4
276
Test068_TrashCanHalf_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Rubber trash can Plastic
36.83
152.2
377
Test069_TrashCanFull_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Rubber trash can Plastic
43.68
171
281
Test070_TrashCanQuarter_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Rubber trash can Plastic
49.13
139.7
273
Test071_TrashCanHalf_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Rubber trash can Plastic
35.45
151.7
317
Test072_TrashCanFull_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
Rubber trash can Plastic
48.45
165
265
Test090_WastePaperBasket_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
trash can Plastic
30.33
13.60
21.3
Test091_WastePaperBasket_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
trash can Plastic
60.07
32.5
33.7
Test092_WastePaperBasket_Box2ft_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
trash can Plastic
20.77
73.2
752
NGCal_6m_3MW_16kgs
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
tube gas burner Natural Gas
22.13
1,932
3,159
Test021_WeldingBlanket_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
welding blanket Fiberglass
4.12
0.149
2.31
Test022_WeldingBlanket_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
welding blanket Fiberglass
5.22
0.245
2.19
Test023_WeldingBlanket_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
welding blanket Fiberglass
4.27
0.144
2.32
Test087_ScaffoldPlank_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
wood plank Cellulose
15.37
0.72
2.07
Test088_ScaffoldPlank_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
wood plank Cellulose
15.12
0.94
2.19
Test089_ScaffoldPlank_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
wood plank Cellulose
15.15
0.65
1.96
Test098_RadPlank_R1
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
radiant panel ON (but covered)
wood plank Cellulose
20.62
below detection limit
0.73
Test099_RadPlank_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
radiant panel ON (but covered)
wood plank Cellulose
20.32
0.97
1.81
Test100_RadPlank_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
radiant panel ON
wood plank Cellulose
20.32
below detection limit
0.89
Test102_WorkCart_R1a
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
work cart with laptop and printer Plastic
90.18
716
2,704
Test0105_WorkCart_R2
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
work cart with laptop and printer Plastic
75.32
712
2,503
Test0106_WorkCart_R3
Plot of Fire Heat Release Rate with event markers. Uncertainty bar shown at peak value.
Ignition
work cart with laptop and printer Plastic
90.37
702
2,240

Bryant, R. and Bundy, M. The NIST 20 MW Calorimetry Measurement System for Large-Fire Research, Technical Note (NIST TN) 2077, 2019
https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.TN.2077

NIST Fire Calorimetry Database (FCD)
https://doi.org/10.18434/mds2-2314

Last Updated April 28, 2021