Fire Performance of Wire and Cable: Reaction-to-Fire Tests--A Critical Review of the Existing Methods and of New Concepts (NIST TN 1219)

Published

December 1, 1991

Author(s)

Vyto Babrauskas, Richard Peacock, E Braun, Richard W. Bukowski, Walter W. Jones

Abstract

U. S. and Canadian reaction-to-fire tests for wire and cable are examined. The technical basis for their development is analyzed. The data requirements for engineering computations of fire hazard are examined. It is found that the current methods are primarily based on determining ignitability, speed of flame travel, or distance of flame propagation. The fire hazard to building occupants, however, is associated with the heat release rate of the fire, instead. Newer testing methods, which are not yet standards but which do measure the heat release rate of cables, are already under development. A limited comparison is made to British and international standards. Recommendations are made for improved testing strategies. The document includes about 300 reference.

Citation

Technical Note (NIST TN) - 1291

Report Number

1291

NIST Pub Series

Technical Note (NIST TN)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/nist.tn.1291

Local Download

Keywords

cables, wires, flame spread, heat release rate, large scale fire tests, small scale fire tests, standards, test methods, occupants

Citation

Babrauskas, V. , Peacock, R. , Braun, E. , Bukowski, R. and Jones, W. (1991), Fire Performance of Wire and Cable: Reaction-to-Fire Tests--A Critical Review of the Existing Methods and of New Concepts (NIST TN 1219), Technical Note (NIST TN), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/nist.tn.1291, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=912941 (Accessed October 27, 2025)