To obtain a copy of a specific publication, users should contact the publication's publisher directly.
Abstract
When exposed to fire sources, such as welding arcs, cutting torches, or red-hot metal, unprotected spray polyurethane foam in interior situations may ignite resulting in a flash fire. The burning will be brief, forming a layer of less flammable surface char. This initial burning produces combustible gases and black smoke. In confined interiors, combustible gases can accumulate and ignite resulting in flash-over, a dangerous fire situation. Under these conditions, additional foam or other combustibles can become involved in the fire giving off additional combustible gases and feeding the fire. If the heat and gases are not dissipated and the temperature of the foam rises above approximately 379° C (7000 F), the surface char will no longer be able to protect the foam and the foam will fuel the fire as it degrades under these extreme temperatures. Most sprayed polyurethane foam fires will involve other flammable materials, however, in a limited number of situations, when other flammable materials are not involved, sprayed polyurethane foam fires tend to be flash fires of relatively short duration.
When exposed to fire sources, such as welding arcs, cutting torches, or red-hot metal, unprotected spray polyurethane foam in interior situations may ignite resulting in a flash fire. The burning will be brief, forming a layer of less flammable surface char. This initial burning produces combustible gases and black smoke. In confined interiors, combustible gases can accumulate and ignite resulting in flash-over, a dangerous fire situation. Under these conditions, additional foam or other combustibles can become involved in the fire giving off additional combustible gases and feeding the fire. If the heat and gases are not dissipated and the temperature of the foam rises above approximately 379° C (7000 F), the surface char will no longer be able to protect the foam and the foam will fuel the fire as it degrades under these extreme temperatures. Most sprayed polyurethane foam fires will involve other flammable materials, however, in a limited number of situations, when other flammable materials are not involved, sprayed polyurethane foam fires tend to be flash fires of relatively short duration.
Date
1/1995
1/1995
Author(s)
SPI
SPI
Page(s)
1-4
1-4
Keyword(s)
thermal; barrier; fire
thermal; barrier; fire