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PUBLICATIONS

Flammability Characterization of Foam Plastics (NISTIR 4664)

Published

Author(s)

Thomas G. Cleary, James Quintiere

Abstract

The results of a study to identify an alternative test protocol to the Steiner Tunnel Test as a measure of flammability for foamed plastic are presented. New fire test apparatuses namely the Cone Calorimeter and Lateral Ignition and Flame Spread apparatus were used to more completely characterize foamed plastic flammability. Key flammability properties obtained from these apparatuses describe ignitability, flame spread rate, rate of heat release and smoke obscuration. An extensive data set of these flammability properties for 10 selected foamed plastics was generated. The tested materials included melting foams (polystyrene foams) and charring foams (polyurethanes, polyisocyanurate and phenolic foams). The effects of melting and dripping was limited by testing the materials in the horizontal orientation. In addition, an integrated approach to material flammability characterization is presented that uses these parameters to predict fire growth potential.
Citation
NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 4664
Report Number
4664
NIST Pub Series
NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)
Pub Type
NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.4664

Keywords

flammability, rigid foams, cellular plastics, combustibility, fire growth, fire hazards assessment, fire spread, flammability testing, heat release rate, low density foams, tunnel tests, lateral ignition
Buildings and Construction and Fire

Citation

Cleary, T. and Quintiere, J. (1991), Flammability Characterization of Foam Plastics (NISTIR 4664), NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.4664 (Accessed October 20, 2025)

Issues

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Created October 1, 1991, Updated November 10, 2018
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