Tests have been made in which the toxic gases and smoke produced from fires in rooms of polyurethane flexible foam in amounts representative of those likely to be found in domestic premises, have been measured. The tests have shown that all types of polyurethane foam tested, (unmodified, flame retardant, high resilience cold cure, and a recently introduced improved foam) ignited from small additional amounts of cellulosic material, and, except for the smallest fire load of two cushion squabs, were completely burned. The last three foams went out leaving some residual foam when only two cushions were tested. Although the smoke and toxic gases produced during the fires of two squabs were small and unlikely to present a risk to occupants, fires of larger amounts, representative of fully furnished rooms, produced sufficient smoke to impede escape, and amounts of the toxic gases, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen oxides, that would present a lethal risk even after dilution of the fire gases with cool air to temperatures that could be borne for short periods. Tolylene diisocyanate (TDI) was not detected in any test. The detection limit was 3 ppm. The rate of production of smoke and toxic gases was such that, if they escaped from the room on fire to the remainder of a dwelling, the atmosphere in the whole of the dwelling would become hazardous in a few minutes.

Toxic fire effluents are responsible for the majority of fire deaths, and an increasing large majority of fire injuries, driven by the widespread and increasing use of synthetic polymers. Fire safety has focused on preventing ignition and reducing flame spread through reducing the rate of heat release, while neglecting the important issue of fire toxicity. This is the first reference work on fire toxicity and the only scientific publication on the subject in the last 15 years. Assessment of toxic effects of fires is increasingly being recognised as a key factor in the assessment of fire hazards. This book raises important issues including the types of toxic effluents that different fires produce, their physiological effects, methods for generation and assessment of fire toxicity, current and proposed regulations and approaches to modelling the toxic impact of fires. The contributors to Fire toxicity represent an international team of the leading experts in each aspect of this challenging and important field. This book provides an important reference work for professionals in the fire community, including fire fighters, fire investigators, regulators, fire safety engineers, and formulators of fire-safe materials. It will also prove invaluable to researchers in academia and industry. Investigates the controversial subject of toxic effluents as the cause of the majority of fire deaths and injuries Describes the different types of toxic effluents and the specific fires that they produce, their physiological effects and methods for generation Provides an overview of national and international fire safety regulations including current and proposed regulations such as a standardized framework for prediction of fire gas toxicity

A survey of all facets of the fire performance examination and evaluation of flexible and rigid polyurethane foams in the various fields of building construction, furniture and furnishings, transportation and electric appliances. The basic information concerning the relevance of the different test procedures allows realistic requirements to be set, guaranteeing more safety in the case of fire. The legal requirements are based on laboratory test methods and the book describes their relevance in relation to real fire scenarios. A must-have reference for producers, suppliers and manufacturers of polyurethanes.