Protocol, fire test

Note that this index only produces a relative number. Two products with widely different values of the index might be equally safe if, in fact, neither impedes escape. Conversely, two products with apparently similar values may produce different hazard levels if both products are close to the margin of safety. Thus, the scale for any index must be "calibrated", and it may well be different for each building or type of occupant. Generally, this will require a more complete hazard analysis and/or full-scale fire tests. Protocols for doing this are currently under consideration. 

Facility personnel who perform testing and maintenance on fire protection equipment and systems must be trained, experienced, and knowledgeable in the systems and the protocols for testing and maintenance. Knowledge can include work history, educational experience, craft certification, manufacturer certification, field verification, and job assessment and testing. Facility person-... 

Khan, M.M., Bill, R.G. Jr., and Alpert, R.L., Screening of plenum cables using a small-scale fire test protocol, Fire Mater., 2006, 30, 65-76. 

Bitting, K. R. (1999). Evaluating a Protocol for Testing a Fire-Resistant Oil-Spill Containment Boom. Spill Science Technology Bulletin, 5(5-6), 337-339. 

Tewarson, A., and Khan, M.M., "Electrical Cables - Evaluation of Fire Propagation Behavior and Development of a Small-Scale Test Protocol," 1989, Factory Mutual Research Corporation, Norwood,... 

A significant challenge with using mist systems is determining whether the conditions of a particular manufacturer s limitation are representative of the actual conditions in which the system will be used. An engineering analysis should be performed to evaluate the significance of any variations between the actual fire hazard and the known performance capabilities of the water mist system. It is important that the test protocol contain these factors ... 

A test protocol has recently been published in which the toxic potency of fire gases is determined for different fire models. The test is based on a tube furnace, and the air flow, temperature, and rate of sample introduction are controlled to give steady state burning at predetermined fire models, e,g developing fire, developed, low ventilation developed high temperature fire, etc. This is important since the toxic potency of materials can vary with different fire scenarios (Purser et al.) [2]. 

ISO 9122-4 [124] describes the assessment of hazards caused by toxic fire gases and the development of suitable test methods. The main tests considered include the NBS Protocol [132] and DIN 53436 [111] tube furnace. 

The U.S. Radiant Smoke Toxicity Apparatus [133] consists of the lest cabinet of the NBS Protocol [128], but the test specimen, 76 x 125 x 51 mm thick, is decomposed by a radiant heater fitted beneath the smoke box see Fig. 23. The maximum heat flux is 50 kW, mv This equipment was developed following criticism of the fire model of the NBS Protocol. 

ASTM E603 [141] contains a Guide for Room Fire Experiments and gives advice on the methodology, instrumentation, test protocols, etc. for use in the full-scale testing of room linings and contents. 

Some companies do periodic hose testing. All companies should test hoses, which convey highly hazardous fluids. The purpose is to assure that no injuiy, damage to equipment, or environmental incident occurs as a result of using a defective chemical hose. The protocol that I have reviewed covers any hose used to transfer a liquid that has an environmental agency-reportable quantity fisted for a spill. It does not include normal utility hoses such as steam, water, nitrogen, and air. It does not include hoses that are supplied by a contract carrier. It does not include hydraulic hoses or other such hoses that are permanently moimted as a part of equipment that has its own inspection schedule. Fire hoses are not included, but do have testing procedures per other authorities for that service. 

The fire behavior of the foams can be tested with a cone calorimeter, according to standard test protocols (10,12). The test method is used to determine the ignitabUity, heat release rates, mass loss rates, effective heat of combustion, and visible smoke development of materials and products. 

Fire and Flammability Test Standards. Regardless of the application, it is important that fire and flammability test methods be free of systematic error (bias). It is also essential that consistent results can be obtained fix>m experiments repeated at different times within one laboratory (repeatability) and that there is reasonable agreement between the results for the same material, product, or assembly tested in different laboratories (reproducibility). These are the reasons why fire safety codes, regulations, and specifications refer to standardized fire and flammability test methods and why test data needed in support of fire engineering are obtained with standardized experimental protocols. 

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