SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1994
STP12958S

Interior Surface Materials, Principles of Classification, and Evaluation of Classification Systems

Source

In a Nordic research program, EUREFIC, it has been shown how the new fire test methods, Room/Corner Test and the Cone Calorimeter Test, can be used for testing and classification of linings and surface finish products. A new proposal for a classification system for such products, based on test results from the Room/Corner Test, has been worked out. This classification system is based on time to flashover.

In this paper, a comparison between the new proposed classification system and the classification system used for such products in the Nordic countries today is presented. The existing classification system is based on the use of a combination of test results from separate test methods. The actual small-scale test methods used are also presented.

The two classification systems (proposed and existing) have been evaluated and compared by using test results for eleven different products from the EUREFIC program. The results show that it is very difficult to perform a joint classification based upon two separate small-scale test methods. It may be that too much emphasis is put on the test results from one of the methods. The proposed classification system, however, reflects the large-scale fire behavior of the various products. A brief comparison with classification of the same products according to other European, national classification systems shows that neither of these systems are able to predict the large-scale fire behavior of all products as seen in the Room/Corner Test.

Author Information

Hovde, PJ
University of Trondheim, Norwegian Institute of Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Developed by Committee: E05
Pages: 201–215
DOI: 10.1520/STP12958S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5285-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-1889-8