Chapter 5 Flashcards
Flame spread over a specific material can be measured and predicted in degrees known as the surface-burning characteristics of the material when evaluating the following
Composition, orientation, and thickness of the material
• Ventilation
• Shape and size of a compartment
• Finish material on the ceiling or wall
The most significant factor that determines a fuel’s burn rate is
the combination of the fuel and the available oxygen
Types of fire-retardant coatings available include
• Intumescent coatings • Mastics • Gas-forming paints • Cementitious and mineral fiber coatings
Smoke Developed Rating
The measure of the relative visual obscurity created during the testing process by a known material.
Flame Spread Rating
(1) Measurement of the propagation of flame on the surface of materials or their assemblies as determined by recognized standard tests. (2) Numerical rating assigned to a material based on the speed and extent to which flame travels over its surface
some materials will produce a fire hazard greater than indicated by the ASTM E-84 tests because of varia- tions in the following:
• Room volume • Room shape • Fuel loading in the room
Fire partitions
interior walls that do not qualify as fire walls but are used to subdivide a floor or area of a building
Fire partitions can be constructed from
• Lath and plaster • Gypsum wallboard • Concrete block • Combinations of materials
The purpose of enclosure walls is
to block the vertical spread of fire through a building’s openings including
• Stairwells • Stairwell exit passageways • Elevator shafts • Pipe chases
Louvers
A series of horizontal slats that are angled to permit easy ventilation in one direction of flow and restricted ventilation in the opposite direction. Louvers are commonly used in applications where the restrictive side blocks sunshine, rain, or products of combustion.
