SEDL / STP / STP422-EB / STP41310S

Method for Measuring Smoke from Burning Materials

Gross, D.
Physicistpersonal member of ASTM, Fire Research Section, Building Research Division, Institute for Applied Technology, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C.

Loftus, J. J.
Chemist, Fire Research Section, Building Research Division, Institute for Applied Technology, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C.

Robertson, A. F.
Chief, Fire Research Section, Building Research Division, Institute for Applied Technology, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C.

Pages: 39    Published: Jan 1967

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Abstract

Based on a study of possible smoke-measuring methods, a laboratory test has been developed for the photometric measurement of smoke from burning materials. The method assumed the applicability of Bauguer's law to the attenuation of light by smoke, and smoke quantity is therefore reported in terms of optical density rather than light absorptance or transmittance. Optical density is the single measurement most characteristic of a “quantity of smoke” with regard to visual obscuration. Experiments have been performed on a variety of building finish materials under both flaming and nonflaming (smoldering) conditions, and the results are reported in terms of (a) maximum smoke accumulation, (b) maximum rate of smoke accumulation, and (c) the time period to reach an arbitrary “critical” smoke level.