NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.

Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

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 14, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created October 1, 1991, Updated November 10, 2018
Was this page helpful?