The test method used to assess the effectiveness of flame retardant products is BS476, Part 7 1987 and is used to classify a material in terms of "Spread of Flame".
Class 1 is a low surface spread of flame, the highest achievable with the test method and is a performance normally required for walls and ceilings.
In high risk areas such as escape routes Class 0, limited combustibility, is required. To comply materials must have a Class 1 Surface Spread of Flame and a low fire propagation to BS 476 Part 6 1989.
Intumescent coatings are used to prevent the penetration of fire through a structure for a specific period in accordance with BS 476 pARTS 20-23 1987. Such coatings are given classifications with specific periods of time achievements, such as "30 minutes".
The four classes of surface spread of flame are: Class 0 (non-combustible), Class 1 (limited combustibility), Class 2 (intermediate surface spread), and Class 3 (high surface spread). These classes are used to categorize the surface spread of flame on building materials based on their performance in fire tests.
Glass does not burn or contribute to flame spread, so it typically does not have a flame spread rating.
The flame spread rating of carpet is typically measured on a scale of 0 to 200, with lower numbers indicating a slower rate of flame spread. Carpet with a lower flame spread rating is considered safer in the event of a fire.
Flame spread 10 is a rating associated with the surface burning characteristics of a material. It means that the material has a low flame spread index and is considered to have good fire-resistant properties. Materials with a flame spread 10 rating are slow to ignite and will not contribute significantly to the spread of fire.
Flame Spread 20 is a fire resistance rating given to materials that exhibit moderate flame spread. This means they have a moderate capacity to resist the spread of fire. A lower number indicates better fire resistance, while higher numbers indicate more rapid flame spread.
The four classes of surface spread of flame are: Class 0 (non-combustible), Class 1 (limited combustibility), Class 2 (intermediate surface spread), and Class 3 (high surface spread). These classes are used to categorize the surface spread of flame on building materials based on their performance in fire tests.
Glass does not burn or contribute to flame spread, so it typically does not have a flame spread rating.
The flame spread rating of carpet is typically measured on a scale of 0 to 200, with lower numbers indicating a slower rate of flame spread. Carpet with a lower flame spread rating is considered safer in the event of a fire.
Flame spread 10 is a rating associated with the surface burning characteristics of a material. It means that the material has a low flame spread index and is considered to have good fire-resistant properties. Materials with a flame spread 10 rating are slow to ignite and will not contribute significantly to the spread of fire.
Flame Spread 20 is a fire resistance rating given to materials that exhibit moderate flame spread. This means they have a moderate capacity to resist the spread of fire. A lower number indicates better fire resistance, while higher numbers indicate more rapid flame spread.
A flame spread rating is calculated by measuring the rate at which flames spread along the surface of a material under controlled conditions. The rating is determined by comparing the material's performance to that of red oak, which is given a flame spread rating of 100. Materials with lower ratings have slower flame spread rates, indicating better fire resistance.
CheckFlame Spread Index. The definition from NFPA 220 is ...www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/ROP/59A-A2005-ROC.pdf
Vertical flame spread is generally faster than horizontal flame spread due to the stack effect, where hot gases rise and create a chimney effect that feeds the fire with more oxygen. This leads to increased heat release and faster flame propagation vertically. Horizontal flame spread is generally limited by factors such as fuel availability and wind direction.
Zero flame spread means that a fire does not readily spread and ignite additional material on a surface. This indicates that the material is highly resistant to fire and will not contribute to the spread of flames in the event of a fire.
A surface flame spread rating of not more than 150 indicates that the material has a relatively low propensity for flame spread. This rating is determined through standardized testing procedures and indicates that the material is considered to have moderate fire resistance properties. It is important for materials used in buildings to have low flame spread ratings to reduce the potential for fire hazards.
Paul V. Ferkul has written: 'A model of concurrent flow flame spread over a thin solid fuel' -- subject(s): Flame spread
James G. Quintiere has written: 'Principles of fire behavior' -- subject(s): Fires, Flame spread, Fire prevention 'Significant parameters for predicting flame spread' -- subject(s): Mathematical models, Flame spread 'Fourth CIB W14 Workshop in Fire Modeling, Gaithersburg, USA, February, 1990'