Index of Q&As Concerning Fire of Polyurethane Foams
28th October 2011
Japan Urethane Industries InstituteFire Safety Committee
Index
after flame
after glow
carbon monoxidecharring
combustion

combustion of surface

Brief explanation
Flexible foam
Rigid foam
Residual flame. An after flame time is set as one of the criteria of non-combustible materials, quasi-noncombustible materials,
Q32
Q19, Q23
and fire retardant materials in the Fire Services Act.
In a heating test assuming fire or combustion, flame remaining in a material even after removal of ignition sources
Q9, Q32
Q-Supplement
A colorless and odorless gas with the chemical formula CO. Less solubility into water. Very toxic gas.
Q16, Q17, Q18, Q23,
It is generated by incomplete combustion, such as charcoal and gas for fuel.
Q21, Q22, Q25, Q26, Q25-A
Q16-A
It burns giving a blue flame, if ignited, when it then becomes carbon dioxide.
Becoming charcoal. The phenomenon whereby an organic compound breaks down when heated due to lack of oxygen, andQ6
only carbon is left.
An intense chemical reaction with emission of heat. It is often accompanied by an emission of light phenomenon. Generally,
however among chemical combinations of inflammable materials and oxygen, it indicates emission of heat and light (thecombustion of the candles, combustion of the charcoal, and combustion of magnesium are among these).
The phenomenon in which oxidization occurs only at the surface like a cigarette or charcoal is called combustion of surface.
Unlike normal combustion, it is not accompanied by evaporation and decomposition but combustion on the solid surface.

Materials formed by combining two or more materials with very different properties. A composite material consists of a base
Q31
matrix and reinforcing material.
Testing device to measure parameters of a combusting sample. It gathers the change over time of data regarding the amountCone Calorimeterof heat generation, smoke quantity, mass loss, and combustion product gases; the device heats a sample using a cone typeelectric heater and ignites a sample using a spark.
Among explosions caused by combustion, one in which the expansion speed (flame transmission speed) does not reach thedeflagration
Q15
speed of sound. Detonation is when the expansion speed exceeds the speed of sound.
Rapid combustion of dust particles of any powdered combustible materials suspended in the air in an enclosed location withdust explosion
Q17
an ignition source..
early stage fire
Early unintentional or spreading combustion with the necessity for fire extinguishing.
Q8, Q26, Q32
Q2, Q3, Q5, Q6, Q7,
A combustion phenomenon that occurs or expands against the intention of a person/persons or one that results from arson
Q8, Q21, Q22, Q23,
firethat requires extinguishing. Also refers to an explosive phenomenon that occurs or spreads against the will of a
Q26, Q28, Q29, Q30,person/persons. (Fire Services Act)
Q33, Q35
Structures certified or prescribed by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport such as steel net mortar coat or plaster Q2, Q5, Q6, Q7, Q8,
fire preventive construction coat that possess the required fire proof performance for external cladding and eaves that prevent fire from spreading when Q10, Q13, Q22, Q25,
normal fires occur in the vicinity of buildings.
Q28, Q34
Materials prescribed by the "Building Standard Law" which can be utilized as building materials or finishing materials forimmobile constructions.
fire preventive material
Fire preventive materials are classified into 3 categories; "Non-combustible", "semi Non-combustible", "Incombustible". The
certificate for each category is issued by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism.
fire resistanceResistibility or durability of materials, parts or constructions towards fire.
Q24

Q23

composite material

Q14, Q15, Q23

Q-Supplement
Q8, Q13, Q16
Q1, Q13, Q16, Q17,Q18, Q19, Q22, Q23,
Q24, Q25
Q19, Q23

Q23
Q19, Q21

fire retardant material
fire risk
fire toxicity

A type of fire-safe material that meets the technical standards specified in the Building Standard Act when heating (heatingQ7, Q28, Q32
time: 5 minutes) in a normal fire.
The potential for damage or injury caused by events related to fire (casualties) and property loss, and other economic damage Q23, Q26, Q28

Q19, Q21, Q22
Q16

Adverse effects on biological properties of harmful environmental factors such as the products of combustion occurring in a fireQ21, Q22, Q25, Q26
Among the main structures of buildings, such as walls, pillars, floors, beams, roofs, and stairs, those that conform to standardsof fire-resistant performance, those that use structure methods prescribed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure andTransport, and those that are authorized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
The characteristic of the material which delays propagation of a fire
Q31, Q32, Q33, Q34
A substance which is added to a coating or polyurethane foam formulation to reduce or retard its tendency to burn. May beQ18
inorganic or organic compounds.
Spread of a flame over a solid surface without heating from the outside, or spread of the front tip of a gas flame.
Q7

Q16, Q17, Q18

Q5, Q7heat flux

The property of combustion continuing at ordinary temperatures and pressures.
Q6, Q17, Q21, Q36
The minimum temperature to which vapor emitted by a substance that is heated can generate an inflammable mixture with air.
Q11
At this temperature, if there is no source of ignition, combustion will not occur.
A flammable gas which accumulates in the an initial stages of a fire is ignited and flares up explosively.
Q5, Q8, Q30
FMVSS: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. An American Flammability standard for car interior materials in which
Q27
combustion evaluation is assessed by the combustion speed in the horizontal state.
The stage at which fire is present in the entire building, there is little black smoke, flames begin to erupt, and the danger of fire
spreading increases. The temperature is more than 800°C. At the fully developed stage and later, in the case of a wooden Q26
house, the time to burn down is extremely short.
A test which ascertains the toxicity of a gas generated from a material by exposing mice to combustion gas until they areincapacitated.
Poisoning from the inhalation of gas, such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and volatile organic chemicals like
Q22, Q26
benzene.
Q21, Q22, Q25, Q26,
Gasses and aerosol that are hazardous to humans
Q25-A
The rate of a heat capacity to move a unit area.

heat release rate

Energy released when a material combusts Unit is mW/m2.

fireproof construction
flame retardance
flame retardants
flame spread
flammability
flash point
flashover
FMVSS 302fully developed fire stage
gas hazard testgas poisoning
harmful gas

heat sourcehydrogen cyanide
ignited material
ignition point
ignition point

Q4, Q5, Q13, Q28

One of the combustion elements, which also include flammable substances and oxygen. Although it originates in temperature,
Q3, Q10, Q15, Q18
flame, and sparks of static electricity, etc. are also applicable.
Chemical formula: HCN, water-soluble compound with a boiling point of 26°C. Also known as hydrocyanic acid (for theQ21, Q25, Q25, Q26,
gaseous state: hydrocyanic acid gas). LC50:110-200 ppm (v/v). When a material including nitrogen burns, HCN isQ25
generated, but in a very small amount.
The first substance to ignite from a source of ignition.
Q4
Q10, Q11, Q12, Q15,
In the absence of combustion, the minimum temperature at which a substance will catch fire and continue to burn in air
Q20, Q36
The minimum temperature at which a substance burns even if there is no flame.

Q13
Q6, Q8, Q19

Q9Q4 , Q8, Q18

Q19, Q23
Q16
Q16, Q17, Q18, Q16-A

Q11, Q14, Q15, Q19,Q23, Q19-A, Q19-B

Q16, Q17, Q16-A

Q9

The ease of catching fire. Ignitability means a combustion phenomenon started with intent by a person. It also called lighting
and starting a fire. It is distinguished from ignition which means combustion that begins without depending on the intent of a Q10, Q28
person.
index
Index for the isocyanate equivalent in the reaction with isocyanate and an active hydrogen component compound
A mark in all the buildings that use inflammable foam resin thermal insulation in their interior that clearly shows information forinterior display markfire fighting.
A restriction for fire prevention prescribed by the Building Standard Act. Materials that can be used for interior decoration are Q29, Q30, Q31, Q32
interior finishing restriction
decided by type of building.
Q31-A
Chemical substances that possess a functional group "-N=C=O".
isocyanate
Polyisocyanate compounds, which have more than two isocyanate groups are used as raw materials for polyurethane.
The phenomenon whereby the atmospheric quantity of oxygen and underwater oxygen content of water decrease by thelack of oxygen
Q25oxidation of a material.
Lethal dose (LD) is the amount of a given chemical or substance which causes death in an organism. LD values for humanlethal doseQ22
are generally estimated by extrapolating results from testing of animals or human cell cultures.
The minimum oxygen concentration at which combustion is sustained in a prescribed sample in a mixed gas of oxygen and nitrogen.
Q11
limited oxygen index
A statistical calculated value of the concentration at which 50% of laboratory animals die when exposed to a toxic material for
median lethal concentration
Q25
a constant time. The higher the value, the lower the toxicity.
A test to measure the calorific value and heat generation rate when a flame source is burned inside of an indoor model mademodel box testfrom construction materials (test materials).
A type of fire prevention material. It is evaluated in the Building Standard Act by a pyrogenic test or a model box test and a
Q7, Q29, Q30, Q31,non-combustible material
gas hazardousness test. When it is exposed to heating (for a heating time of 20 minutes) in the normal fire in a pyrogenic test,
Q32
it passes as a fire prevention materials if it satisfies the technical standard prescribed in the Building Standard Act .
The general term for a foam which intentionally contains isocyanate rings generated from trimerization reactions of isocyanate
polyisocyanurate foam
by using a specific catalyst. A polyurethane foam obtained from a polyol which has two or more hydroxyl groups reacts with Q19
polyisocyanate and a foaming agent to produce this foam.
The generic name of a compound having more than two hydroxyl groups (-OH). Polyols are the main ingredient of the B
polyolcomponent which reacts with the isocyanate to produce polyurethane foam.
The general term for a high molecular compound that includes a urethane bond obtained by the polyaddition reaction of anpolyurethane foam
general topic
isocyanate compound and a polyol compound, and also containing gas bubbles. Exists in the form of sponge.
Thermochemical decomposition of organic materials at elevated temperature in the absence of oxygen. Flames generated
pyrolysis
from combusted plastics or wood are caused by gases generated by pyrolysis of these materials, but not generated directly by Q6, Q21, Q26
combustion of plastics or woods.
quasi-noncombustible
Fire prevention material that meets the technical standard specified to the Building Standard Law when heated (for 10Q29, Q30, Q32
materialminutes) in a normal fire.
self extinguishing
Property whereby a substance does not continue to burn after the external source of ignition is removed.
Q18, Q24
Among the main structures of buildings such as walls, pillars, floors, a roofs, and stairs, intended to meet semi-fireproof
semi-fireproof construction
criteria, and semi-fireproof in construction using the structures/methods established or authorized by the Minister of Land,Infrastructure and Transport.
The quantity of smoke evolved from the combustion or thermolysis of a material by unit weight (g) at a certain temperature isSmoke coefficient
Q14
defined as the smoke coefficient (C, m3/g).

ignititability

Q19, Q20

Q19, Q23
Q22, Q23
Q10, Q13, Q14
Q16
Q16, Q18, Q16-A
Q9
Q16, Q18, Q16-A

Q19, Q22, Q23, Q19-A

Q12, Q13, Q14, Q15
Q10general topic
Q16, Q17, Q18
Q6, Q22, Q23

Q12

smoking

The property of smoke emitting from a source.

Q23, Q28

spreading fire

The combustion form whereby smoke is emitted in large quantities without a flame because combustible mixtures cannot beformed by the gas generated from decomposition in cases where the vicinity is hypoxic (example; combustion of a cigarette or Q6, Q26
incense stick).
General term that refers to impure carbon particles resulting from the incomplete combustion of a hydrocarbon.
This phenomenon is one whereby when a combustible material is heated in oxygen or air, it emits and flame and starts to burnwithout being contacted by a pilot flame. It occurs when the material is heated to a temperature that is higher than its ignition
Q10, Q12
point or fire point. Depending on various parameters, the temperature at which spontaneous combustion occurs (ignitionpoint) varies greatly.
A polyurethane foam in which a polyol component and a polyisocyanate component are mixed together using a spray gun, andthe two-component mixture is sprayed onto the application location. Polyurethane spray foam is produced on the construction
site by the mixture expanding and curing. It is mainly used to insulate wall surfaces of houses, warehouses, or tanks.
One that expands into other compartments or other buildings from a fire in a particular compartment
Q5

contained combustible

In ignition in a normal environment, contained continuous combustion of inflammable materials.

thermal inertia

The property of not warming immediately even when exposed to a heat source.
Q10, Q15
In general, materials that prevent which heat transmission by conduction, convection, and irradiation due to their raised
heating and cooling efficiency.
Abbreviation of Underwriter's Laboratories Incorporated. A U.S.-based private sector organization. UL investigates,
researches and tests whether materials, products, apparatuses, and systems throughout the world are hazardous to people,
Q27, Q28
formulates safety standards for these products, and generally discloses information regarding these. In addition, materials thatmeet these standard are labeled as such and certificates are issued.

smolderingsootspontaneous ignition

spray polyurethane foam

thermal insulation
UL
Underwriter's Laboratories

Q12, Q19, Q20, Q23,
Q19-A

Q10

Q12, Q15
Q6, Q8

Q4

Q1