Reaction times, fire escapes

Reaction time needs to be considered. This is the amount of time people will need for preparation before they escape. It may involve, for example, closing down machinery, issues of security or helping visitors or members of the public out of the premises. Reaction time needs to be as short as possible to reduce risk to staff. Assessment of escape routes should include this. If reaction times are too long, additional routes may need to be provided. It is important that people know what to do in case of fire as this can speed up the time needed to evacuate the premises. 

Price has reported the use of pulsed laser pyrolysis to generate conditions, analogous to those behind the flame front in a real fire, at the surface of a polymer sample. The temporal behaviour of the species escaping from the reaction zone created in this way at the polymer surface is monitored by the very fast scanning time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ToF-MS). The ToF-MS is able to provide a complete mass spectral analysis every 25 ps. This identifies the species involves and indicates their relative concentrations. 

Exothermic reactions in certain applications such as casting resins can have several implications. Exotherm can result in a serious safety consideration in that large batches cannot be mixed safely. The size of the batch will contribute to the degree of exotherm because heat cannot escape. Major fires in resin factories have occurred because of uncontrolled exotherm. Exotherm also limits the amount of charge that can be mixed at one time. This may have serious implications in production of large parts. 

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