Author: NATIONAL MATERIALS ADVISORY BOARD (NAS-NAE) WASHINGTON DC.

Publisher:

Published: 1979

Total Pages: 114

ISBN-13:

This is the second volume in a series. The fire safety aspects of polymers are examined with primary emphasis on human survival. This report summarizes the state of the art on test methods which can be employed for evaluating various aspects of flammability behavior in polymeric materials. Separate chapters in the report are concerned with a broad overview of problems associated with the development of tests and standards, with brief summary of the most important U.S. test methods, and with a critical discussion of these in which status, limitations and problems of currently available test methods are reviewed. The concepts of fire dynamics, and their importance in the future development of meaningful test methods are discussed under a separate heading. In this report, test methodology is reviewed with cursory reference to the end uses where a particular test may be employed or applicable. A more detailed discussion of test methods used for specific products (e.g., building materials, coatings, fabrics, etc.) is provided in the appropriate end-use volumes. Conclusions and recommendations are included at the end of Chapters 5, 6, and 7, and also highlighted in Chapter 2.