Carlos J. Hilado

Toxicity of pyrolysis gases from natural and synthetic materials

The authors present toxicity data on various natural and synthetic materials under simulated fire conditions, provide comparisons between materials, and discuss the significance of the data and the impact of public acceptance.

Flammability Studies of 700 Articles of Upholstered Furniture

In 1981 the Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation began a study to evaluate the potential for cigarette ignition of residential upholstered furniture and to determine the percent of compliance with Californias manda tory flammability regulations for materials used in upholstered furniture and the States labeling requirements. This paper reports the results on 700 articles of upholstered furniture. The presence of labels and compliance with Califor nias furniture flammability regulations is discussed. A summary of cigarette ignitions is given. The effect of cigarette test location, cover fabric weight, fiber content, resin backcoating and type filling material on cigarette ignition is dis cussed and the wide variety of material choices for cigarette ignition resistant residential upholstered furniture demonstrated.

Fire Safety Aspects of Thermal Insulation

Thermal insulation materials and systems have an important role in the conservation of energy, in the economical maintenance of com fortable environments, and in the profitable operation of industries. Proper use of thermal insulation should take into account fire safety aspects. In industry, one important fire safety aspect is prevention of self-heating and spontaneous combustion; ethylene oxide, heat transfer fluid, polyalkylene oxides, and polyether polyols are given as examples. Fire protection to maintain structural integrity and prevent decomposition of reactive chemi cals is highly desirable. In any structures occupied by people, fire toxicity is an important factor in ability to escape from fires and in extent of fire injuries.

Toxicity of Pyrolysis Gases From Cellulose Insulation

Various samples of cellulose insulation were evaluated for relative toxicity of pyrolysis gases, using the toxicity screening test method developed at the University of San Francisco. The samples included un treated cellulose insulation and insulation treated with various levels of boric acid, 5-mol borax, and mixtures of boric acid and 5-mol borax. Relative toxicity appeared to decrease with increasing content of fire retar dant additive, but the change was not significant at the lower additive levels.

The HC value: A method for estimating the flammability of mixtures of combustible gases

The authors discuss the use of the ratio of gas concentration to its lower flammable limit in estimating the flammability of combustible gas mixtures.

The effect of test conditions on the relative toxicity of the pyrolysis products from some plastics

The authors discuss the differing results obtained from various test methods used to determine the toxicity of pyrolysis products.

Toxicity of Pyrolysis Gases From Phenolic, Isocyanurate, and Polystyrene Rigid Foam Insulation

Samples of phenolic, isocyanurate, and polystyrene rigid foam insulation were evaluated for toxicity of pyrolysis gases, using four different test conditions of the toxicity screening test method developed at the University of San Francisco. The test conditions were 200 to 800°C rising temperature and 800°C fixed temperature, each without forced air flow and with 1 L/min air flow. On the average over these four particular test conditions, phenolic foam appeared to exhibit the greatest toxicity and polystyrene foam appeared to exhibit the least toxicity.

Short-term LC50 values: An update on available information

The authors present an up-to-date compilation of available short-term LC50 data.

The California technical bulletin 133 test: Some background and experience☆

The development and testing experience of the Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulations Technical Bulletin 133 is presented. Technical Bulletin 133 was developed to evaluate the flammability properties of seating furniture intended for use in public occupancies. The test method and test facility are briefly described. The current test criteria are enumerated. Results of testing 136 articles of seating furniture submitted for Technical Bulletin 133 testing are summarized. The Bureau highlights experience with some generic filling materials including fiberglass interliners, melamine foam, CMHR foam and neoprene foam. The Bureau analyzed design features such as crevice gap size and the presence of arms for their influence on the test results of Technical Bulletin 133.

Relative Flammability and Toxicity of Pyrolysis Gases from Cellular Plastics

Twenty-three samples of flexible cellular plastics and twelve samples of rigid cellular plastics were evaluated in this study. The materials were supplied by the Ames Research Center and Johnson Space Center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Jim Walter Research Corporation, Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratories, Stauffer Chemical Company, Dow Corning Corporation, United Foam Corporation, and Toyad Corporation.