A bibliography containing 883 references in the field of fire toxicity is presented to assist in literature searches to help reduce human fire hazards.

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A bibliography of published information relevant to fire toxicity

The purpose of this paper is to familiarize individuals with the kinds of materials currently used in the cabin interior of a commercial airliner, to describe some of the more important fire tests used to evaluate these materials, and to summarize the behavior of these cabin materials when subjected to each of the fire test methods. Specifically, a detailed description is presented of the following respective test methods for flammability, smoke, and toxic gas emissions: vertical Bunsen burner test. National Bureau of Standards (NBS) smoke chamber, and a combustion tube furnace test. Fire test data on 75 cabin materials are summarized for burn length, flame-out time, specific optical density (D//s) of smoke, and yields of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and carbon monoxide (CO).

Laboratory fire testing of cabin materials used in commercial aircraft

The test methods which were developed or evaluated were intended to serve as means of comparing materials on the basis of specific responses under specific sets of test conditions, using apparatus, facilities, and personnel that would be within the capabilities of perhaps the majority of laboratories Priority was given to test methods which showed promise of addressing the pre-ignition state of a potential fire These test methods were intended to indicate which materials may present more hazard than others under specific test conditions These test methods are discussed and arranged according to the stage of a fire to which they are most relevant Some observations of material performance which resulted from this work are also discussed

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Laboratory test methods for evaluating the fire response of aerospace materials

The thermochemical and flammability characteristics of two polymeric composites currently in use and seven others being considered for use as aircraft interior panels are described. The properties studied included: (1) limiting oxygen index of the composite constituents; (2) fire containment capability of the composite; (3) smoke evolution from the composite; (4) thermogravimetric analysis; (5) composition of the volatile products of thermal degradation; and (6) relative toxicity of the volatile products of pyrolysis. The performance of high temperature laminating resins such as bismaleimides is compared with the performance of phenolics and epoxies. The relationship of increased fire safety with the use of polymers with high anaerobic char yield is shown. Processing parameters of one of the baremaleimide composites are detailed.

A composite system approach to aircraft cabin fire safety

The smoke density chamber is perhaps the most widely used apparatus for smoke measurements. Because of its availability, it has been proposed as an apparatus for evaluating fire toxicity. The standard apparatus and procedure were not found suitable for toxicity screening tests using laboratory animals, because not enough materials of interest produced animal mortality or even incapacitation under standard test conditions. With modifications, the chamber offers greater promise as a screening tool, but other tests specifically designed to measure relative toxicity may be more cost-effective. Where one-dimensional heat flux is a requirement, the chamber is the most suitable apparatus available. It should be improved in regard to visibility of animals and ease of cleaning.

C. J. Hilado

Papers

Evaluation of the smoke density chamber as an apparatus for fire toxicity screening tests