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

Published

January 1, 1998

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

Pub Type

Journals

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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 October 10, 2025)