doi:10.3850/978-981-08-7724-8_11-07

ABSTRACT

The toxic gases from low temperature smouldering combustion were investigated using folded cotton towels. An enclosed 1.6 m³ fire test facility was used with a controllable air flow inlet at floor level and fire gases discharge at ceiling level. 2 kg of folded cotton bath towels were burned in the compartment with a ventilation rate of 11 and 21 air changes per hour (ACH), which produced smouldering combustion. The situation simulated the conditions in an enclosed cupboard fire. The smouldering combustion heat release rate peaked at 5 kW and was 2 kW in the later stages. CO, formaldehyde and acrolein were the most significant toxic species. The toxicity level doubled at the lower ventilation rate. The total toxicity normalised to the LC₅₀ limit were 1.5 – 3. On a COSHH_{15 min} basis the total N was between 400 and 900 and these gases would seriously impair escape from fire.

Keywords: Smouldering combustion, Cotton towel fires, Carbon monoxide, Acrolein, Formaldehyde, Fire toxicity, Compartment fires.

© 2011 CPD Unit, University of Leeds