Temperature Uncertainties for Bare-Bead and Aspirated Thermocouple Measurements in Fire Environments

Published

March 14, 1999

Author(s)

William M. Pitts, E Braun, Richard D. Peacock, Henri E. Mitler, Erik L. Johnsson, Paul A. Reneke, L G. Blevins

Abstract

Gas-phase temperature is the most ubiquitous measurement recorded in fire environments and plays a central role in understanding of fire behavior. Generally, either bare-bead or sheathed thermcouples are employed. While it is recognized that such thermcouples are subject to significant systematic errors when used in fire environments, e.g., see, in most fire studies uncertainties for temperature measurements are not estimated or reported. The work summarized here has been undertaken to characterize the uncertainties in temperature measurements which can occur when bare-bead thermocouples are used in fire environments and to assess the potential of two approaches -- aspirated thermocouples and the use of multiple thermocouples having different diameters -- to reduce the uncertainties.

Proceedings Title

Combustion Institute, 1st Joint Meeting of the U.S. Sections: Western States, Central States, Eastern States. Proceedings.

Conference Dates

March 14-17, 1999

Conference Location

Washington, DC

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

fire research, fire science, fire suppression, aspirated thermocouples, enclosures, fire tests, measurement uncertainties, temperature measurements, thermocouples

Citation

Pitts, W. , Braun, E. , Peacock, R. , Mitler, H. , Johnsson, E. , Reneke, P. and Blevins, L. (1999), Temperature Uncertainties for Bare-Bead and Aspirated Thermocouple Measurements in Fire Environments, Combustion Institute, 1st Joint Meeting of the U.S. Sections: Western States, Central States, Eastern States. Proceedings. , Washington, DC, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=911791 (Accessed October 7, 2024)