J

NBSIR 77-1295

Tests on Insulative Barriers as A

Method of Protecting Neoprene

Core Mattresses

J. N. Bresse

Center for Fire Research

Institute for Applied Technology

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D.C. 20234

November 1977

Final Report

Prepared for Naval Ship Engineering Center

Naval Sea Systems Command

Department of the Navy

Washington, D.C. 20362
fIij
NBSIR 77-1295

TESTS ON INSULATIVE BARRIERS AS A

METHOD OF PROTECTING NEOPRENE

CORE MATTRESSES

J. N. Breese

Center for Fire Research

Institute for Applied Technology

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D.C. 20234

November 1977

Final Report

Prepared for Naval Ship Engineering Center

Naval Sea Systems Command

Department of the Navy

Washington, D.C. 20362

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Juanita M. Kreps, Secretary

Dr. Sidney Haitnan, Under Secretary

Jordan J. Baruch, Assistant Secretary for Science and Technoiogy

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS. Ernest AmMar, Acting Director
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"1
CONTENTS

Page

LIST OF TABLES iv

LIST OF FIGURES v

ABSTRACT 1

1. INTRODUCTION 1

2 . MATERIALS 2

3. TEST METHODS 2

3.1 Preliminary Ignition Study 2 3.2 Heat Release Rate Calorimeter 2 3.3 Small Scale Compartment Test 3

4. TEST RESULTS 4

4.1 Preliminary Ignition Study 4

4.2 Heat Release Rate Calorimeter 4

4.3 Small Scale Compartment Test 4

4.4 Other Observations 5

5. CONCLUSIONS 6

6. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 6

7. REFERENCES 7

iii
LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 1. Insulating Materials and Some Physical and Thermal

Properties 8

Table 2. Test Results - Heat Release Rate Calorimeter 9

Table 3. Test Results - Small Scale Compartment Timed

Observations 10

Table 4. Test Results - Small Scale Compartment Representative

of Maximum Compartment and Sample Temperatures .... 11

Table 5. Test Results - Small Scale Compartment Extreme Gas

Concentrations 12

XV
LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1. Thermal Conductivity of Insulating Materials 13

Figure 2. Preliminary Ignition Study Apparatus 14

Figure 3. Sample Construction for Heat Release Rate Calorimeter

Showing Location of Thermocouple on Surface of Core . 15

Figure 4. Front and Plan Views of Small Scale Compartment

Showing Location of Samples, Burner Troughs, and

Instrumentation 16

Figure 5. Method of Insulating Neoprene Cores with One or Two

Layers of Insulation 17

Figure 6. Cutaway Showing Pattern for Insulating Neoprene Cores

with More Than Two Layers and Showing Locations of

Sample Thermocouples 18

Figure 7. Mattress Sample Holder for Small Scale Compartment . . 19

Figure 8. Maximum One Minute Average Heat Release Rate versus

Insulation Thickness 20

Figure 9. Surface Temperature of Neoprene versus Time from Heat

Release Rate Test 21

Figure 10. Maximum Temperatures Developed in the Compartment . . 22

Figure 11. Time to Reach Maximum Surface Temperature on the

Neoprene Specimen in the Compartment versus Thickness

of Insulation 23

Figure 12. Exposed Cross Section of Neoprene Core Protected by

Six Layers of Insulation 24

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"'i
TESTS OF INSULATIVE BARRIERS AS A METHOD

OF PROTECTING NEOPRENE CORE MATTRESSES

J. N. Breese

Abstract

Tests were performed to determine the value of noncom- bustible insulative barriers as a method of protecting neoprene

(chloroprene) mattress cores from igniting and contributing to a shipboard fire. The mattress systems were tested in the heat

release rate calorimeter and in a quarter scale model compartment.

Thicknesses of up to 44 mm (1-3/4 in) of ceramic fiber and glass

fiber insulation were used to protect the cores. Although the

insulation reduced the rate of heating of the core, it also

served to raise interior temperatures by the effect of heat

"trapping" to a point where the core could continue to

decompose and smolder after all exterior heat supply had

been removed.

Key words: Compartment fires; fire-retardants; insulation;

mattresses; shipboard; thermal conductivity.

1 . INTRODUCTION

Comparison tests of neoprene and fire retardant treated polyurethane

mattresses, previously performed for the Naval Ship Engineering Center

(NAVSEC) by NBS, showed the neoprene to be superior to the polyurethane

in a fire situation [1]^. However, in berthing compartment tests also

performed for NAVSEC by NBS it was observed that the neoprene mattress

still contributed to the fire when piloted by severe flame Impingement

or high local thermal exposure [2]. Methods were sought for eliminating

or reducing the mattress involvement and NBS was asked by NAVSEC to test

the use of noncombustible insulative barrier systems completely surrounding the mattress core as a possible solution.

The following is a discussion of the materials used, testing

performed, test results and observations, and conclusions.

2 . MATERIALS

Neoprene (chloroprene) mattress cores, cotton ticking covers and

insulative barrier materials were provided by the sponsor. The Navy

mattress supplied for the tests consisted of a 76-mm (3-in) core of

neoprene, density 63.5 kg/m^ (4.0 Ib/ft^), covered with a fireretardant cotton ticking.

Numbers in brackets refer to the literature references listed at the

end of this report.

1
The protected mattress assembly consisted of the neoprene core and

the insulative barrier under the fire retardant cotton ticking. The

barrier materials consisted of refractory and glass fiber blankets or felts. Table 1 is a summary of the kinds of barrier materials used,

their thickness, and associated physical and thermal properties. Figure 1

is a plot of thermal conductivity versus temperature for the different

materials. Both table 1 and figure 1 use data provided by the manufacturer. No verification tests were run on the thermophysical properties.

3. TEST METHODS

The testing schedule consisted of preliminary ignition testing,

followed by tests in the heat release rate calorimeter, and in a small

scale model compartment.

3.1. Preliminary Ignition Study

In the preliminary ignition study, the objective was to find the

surface temperature at which flaming combustion was maintained. A 120 x 165-mm (4-3/4 x 6-1/2 in) sample of the neoprene core was exposed to

thermal radiation from a 460 x 300-mm (18 x 12-in) gas fired radiant

panel. The distance between the sample and the panel could be varied

thus varying the irradiance on the sample from 1 to 5 W/cm^. The distance was adjusted to the point at which self-sustained flaming of the specimen

would just occur in the absence of a pilot flame. A 0.254-mm (0.001 in)

diameter chromel-alumel thermocouple was placed on the exposed surface

of the sample to monitor the surface temperature at the critical point of

ignition. In order to check the dependence of the critical temperature

on the thickness of the sample, three different thicknesses, 25, 50 and

75 mm (1, 2, and 3 in), were used. Figure 2 is a picture of the preliminary ignition study apparatus.

3.2. Heat Release Rate Calorimeter

The heat release rate calorimeter was set at an irradiance of 6

W/cm^ [3]. The samples were constructed by protecting the 115 x 150 x 25 mm (4-1/2 x 6 x 1 in) neoprene cores on the exposed side by the appropriate thickness of insulation up to 25 mm (1 in). The whole sample was

then wrapped in the fire retardant cotton ticking (see figure 3).

In addition to measuring the heat release rate, a thermocouple was placed at the center of the exposed side of the neoprene surface in

contact with the insulation in order to monitor the temperature rise of

the interface between the core and the Insulation (see figure 3).

2
3.3. Small Scale Compartment Test

The purpose of the small scale compartment test was to observe the

performance of the insulative barrier when the mattress system was exposed to an open flame impinging on the mattresses.

The compartment was a quarter-scale model of a 3.1 x 3.1 x 2.4-m

(10 X 10 X 8 ft) room made of a noncombustible ceramic fiber board of 25 mm (1 in) thickness and 244 to 288 kg/m^ (15.2 to 18.0 Ib/ft^) density.

This model was based on the scaling rules developed in the Navy berthing

compartment study [2]. The enclosure was intended to provide the radiation feedback from the walls and the ceiling that might occur in an actual compartment fire. Three mattress samples were constructed for each

test. They were positioned on sample holders in the right-rear corner

of the compartment such that they were spaced 25 mm (1 in) from the back

wall, 25 mm (1 in) from the right wall, and also 25 mm (1 in) from each

other. This arrangement provides considerable interaction between the

mattresses and the walls similar to that which they might have in a tiered bunk fire. The holders supported the samples 75 mm (3 in) above

the floor of the compartment and a small alcohol burner trough was positioned under each sample (see figure 4)

The samples were constructed by surrounding a 215 x 215 x 75 mm (8-

1/2 X 8-1/2 X 3 in) neoprene core with the insulation and covering the

whole sample with fire retardant cotton ticking. Two methods of attaching the insulation to the neoprene core were used. When only one or two

layers of insulation were used, the core was wrapped in one or two large

blankets and pinned in place while the ticking was being put in place

(see figure 5). When more than two layers were used, individual pieces

were cut for the top, bottom, sides, and ends and were held in place

with straight pins until the ticking could be put in place (see figure

6 ).

The sample holders were made from 3-mm (1/8- in) dia. steel rod.

These rods were welded together into a lightweight frame so that the

mattress sample was held securely 75 mm (3 in) above the floor of the

compartment. See figure 7 for design and dimensions.

Under each sample holder was placed a 20 x 205-mm (3/4 x 8- in)

aluminum foil trough containing 75 ml of 95% methyl alcohol. The flames

from the burning alcohol impinged on the mattress through the open

grillwork of the sample holder and exposed the samples for nearly 10

minutes.

During the test, CO and O2 concentrations and the interior and

doorway temperatures of the compartment were continuously monitored. In

addition, the temperatures on the surface and at the center of the

neoprene core of the middle mattress were also monitored. HCN and HCl

measurements were taken at 2 minutes, at 4 minutes, at the time the

alcohol flame extinguished, and at other selected times.

3
4 . TEST RESULTS

4.1. Preliminary Ignition Study

The minimum temperature required for sustained flaming for the

three thicknesses, 25, 50 and 75 mm (1, 2 and 3 in), was generally the same and averaged about 650°C. However, even when the surface temperature was below that at which sustained flaming occurred, the neoprene

smoldered, giving off dark smoke and fumes. Note that these results

were based on only a few experiments and comparatively rough measurements.

4.2 Heat Release Rate Calorimeter

Table 2 presents a summary of the results from the heat release

rate calorimeter tests. The maximum one minute average heat release

rate is plotted against the insulation thickness in figure 8. While the

thermal properties as well as the thickness of the insulation will have

some bearing on the performance, no systematic study of these parameters

was carried out for this report. It is evident from the results of the

tests that the Insulating barrier has the effect of reducing the rate of

heat release, l.e. the thicker the barrier, the lower the rate. The

maximum one-minute heat release rate was reduced by 50% with a 13-mm

refractory fiber insulating layer. At the same time, since the neoprene

core underwent a slower, more even heating, the temperature at which the

neoprene became Involved was lowered with more insulation. While the

bare neoprene specimen supported a flame in the preliminary tests when

the surface temperature reached 650°C, the specimen covered with the

ticking in the calorimeter began to release heat when its surface

temperature reached 570°C. As Insulation was added the critical temperature was reduced. Figure 9 shows the temperature of the thermocouple on the surface of the neoprene versus time for each sample.

4.3. Small Scale Compartment Test

A summary of test results for the small scale compartment tests are presented in tables 3, 4, and 5. The maximum temperature of the thermocouple on the surface of the neoprene and the maximum air temperature

one inch below the celling of the compartment are shown as a function of

insulation thickness in figure 10. The time to reach the maximum

surface thermocouple temperature is shown in figure 11.

The un-lnsulated samples ignited almost Immediately after the alcohol

was ignited, and continued to add to the fire for as long as there was

direct flame impingement on them and there was still uncombusted fuel

available. However, they did not sustain flaming after the alcohol

flame died out.

4
The samples Insulated with 1 layer of material ”B," 6 mm (1/4 in)

thick, took longer before bursting into flame, but the additional

interior heat build-up caused by heat trapping precipitated a more

severe fire when it finally occurred. The samples also sustained

flaming well past the time when the alcohol burned out.

Samples with 1 layer of material "C," 10 mm (3/8 in) thick, burned

in generally the same way as the 6 mm samples, stopping, however, just

short of flashover. A slightly larger or more severe exposure would

probably have caused flashover to occur. In addition the insulation

melted and formed a hard shell when cooled.

With 2 layers of material "A" 13 mm (1/2 in) thick, the fire was

less severe. After 5 minutes the flames had extended to touch the

celling of the compartment but soon died back. When the alcohol burned

out the samples would not sustain flaming, but the neoprene cores did

continue to smolder. Some high temperatures were reached in the core itself and the neoprene was utlimately completely consumed.

Although the samples protected by 4 layers of material "B," 25 mm

(1 in) thick, did not exhibit flaming of the neoprene, they did not

protect the neoprene cores sufficiently to prevent high inner-core

temperatures and their total consumption by smoldering.

Figure 12 is a photograph of the exposed cross section of mattress

core taken from the samples with 6 layers of insulation "D." Although

this particular mattress system produced the lowest compartment temperatures and the lowest neoprene core temperatures, the insulation allowed

an internal heat build-up to the point where the neoprene could be

consumed by glowing combustion without any outside heating after the

initial exposure by the alcohol flame.

4.4. Other Observations

Six layers was the greatest amount of insulation used. Although

substantially more would be required to sufficiently protect the neoprene

core, some other characteristics of a mattress protected by six layers

of insulation are of interest.

Six layers of 6 mm (1/4 in) insulation nominally provides a 38 mm

(1-1/2 in) thickness. The actual thickness in test 6 was 44 mm (1-3/4

in). Since both sides of the 76 mm (3 in) thick neoprene mattress would

be insulated, the protected mattress would be nominally 150 mm (6 in)

thick, or twice as thick as the unprotected mattress. In addition the

protected mattress would be 2-1/4 to 3 times as heavy as the unprotected

mattress .2

The unprotected mattress weighs about 6.4 kg (14 lb) and the insulated

mattresses have been calculated to weigh from 14.2 to 20.9 kg (31 to

46 lb).

5
With six or more layers of insulation, the mattress becomes

increasingly rigid, losing much of the natural cushioning of the

neoprene.

5. CONCLUSIONS

Neoprene mattress cores protected with several types of noncombustible insulative barriers did not perform significantly better than

the unprotected cores except when at least 13 mm (1/2 in) of insulation

was used. At that thickness the contribution to the fire was greatly

reduced. However, the neoprene was still completely consumed by smoldering. The smoke and toxic products were released at a lower rate but over a much longer time. Greater thicknesses of insulation would be

required for protection against more severe fires. Because of the heat

trapping, the effect of insufficient insulation thickness is to increase

rather than decrease the contribution of the mattress to fire growth in

the compartment under the test conditions studied. There did not

appear to be any appreciable difference in performance between the re- fractory fiber and glass fiber Insulations used in these tests. When

enough Insulation is used to prevent the neoprene from becoming involved, the mattress loses much of its resiliency and its size and

weight may be prohibitive. Because of the relatively low melting point

of the glass fiber insulation, and the high core temperatures reached,

the glass fiber insulation tended to soften and fuse; when cooled, a hard, solid shell was formed making it still more difficult to extinguish

the glowing mattress cores. Based on the results of the present tests,

the use of low density noncombustible insulative barriers does not

appear to be a promising method of upgrading the fire performance of the

neoprene mattresses.

6. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Appreciation is expressed to Mr. Roy Lindauer who constructed the

small scale compartment and sample holders.

This project was sponsored by the Naval Sea Systems Command,

Department of the Navy, under the direction of Mr. Allan Winer, Technical Agent for the Material and Application Office of the Naval Ship

Engineering Center.
7 . REFERENCES

[1] Parker, William J. , Comparison of the Fire Performance of Neoprene

and Flame Retardant Polyurethane Mattresses, Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.),

NBSIR 73-177 (April 1973).

[2] Lee, B.T. and Parker, W.J., Naval Shipboard Fire Risk Criteria - Berthing Compartment Fire Study and Fire Performance Guidelines,

Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), NBSIR 76-1052 (September 1976).

[3] Parker, W.J. and Long, M.E., Development of a Heat Release Rate

Calorimeter at NBS, In: Ignition, Heat Release, and Noncombustibility

of Materials, ASTM STP 502, American Society of Testing and Materials,

(1972) 135-151.

7
Table

1.

Insulating

Materials

and

Some

Physical

and

Thermal

Properties

Cso •K

K

C +J * K

•H

C

a CO CO 1 1 W *H o CJv ov 1 1 rH O 1^ 1 (U Pu

IS! rH iH 1 1 u

•H>

•HO CJ4e 3 o /~s T3c o B VO 00 CM 00 O VO O CM vO cn vO B

iH 4-t s_x

cd cd e

<u HO

•H • iw 4J CJv CJ

•H cd 00 iH rH iH 0 a <D ^ • • • • cu pc tH iH r-4 O a O

t/d 00

7333O

ij (T) 3

•HM Mt vO CM CO c to VO OV r-H r-4 3

q; r-4 r-4 <U o 4J • <44 CO O u CO

(Vu 4J

h 3 3

0) /<*S 4J 43

CO (C (C c c CJ

Cd CO •H •H •H 'pH Cd 4J hJ (U <44 3 c Mf 00 3 •r4 cu ^ g — 3 o

iH

O

g iH f—1

CO tH rt

a

00 *H C jC

s-/ V—

0

00

•H P vO VO o VD cu 3

Wd IH 43 •r4

4-1 4J rM

So 3

CO 4J

CO CU 43 0 3 u Cd 4<! 73 CU o So w So 4J 0) pH C (U 4-i •H >-l tH U tH 43 4-1 00 Cd 73 •p-4 O CU O CU •H (U iH •H 3

a. 4-1 <4-4 4J M-4 <44 4^ TJ 43 > 'p4 •H CJ o C 0) O <44

>-i Cd >4 cd >4 CO cd

H »4 >4 3 O )-l CU cu CO rH -o <U a 73

CO *4-1 43 <+4 43 Cd 43 (U 4d

OJ (U ‘H 0) r-4 CU '1-4 CO

O o >-4 <4-1 >4 <44 00 C <44 0) 3 3

r-4 CO 3 3 > 43

1—1

CUm

Cd CO CO

•rM CU 3 u JC 1—4 d) <3 PC C_) Cd P CJ

4-J Cd •4C •K S * 8
0) 4J

(Uo

tH

cfl U0) 4J

CO

pel

(U

CO

CO(U iH

cu pi

cO

(U Pd

CO

4-1 r—I

P)CO(1) Pi

4J

CO

QJ EH

CM0) I

I 44

CO H

MH Pi O (U

0) 0 o (U <u

CO e >

>4-1 •H iH

)-l

H

O 3 > u

CP 4J PI o

cOH

(U

i-H • CU a (P- C B a (U

CO <u

M

c/4

H p)u O

CJ 0) H z Ou

(U H 4J o;

(P

C

(U 0)

>-i CO

(U fx •• o CN4 o O 00 CM > O PI cn o O I—1

0/ *H •• • • • • »• • • • • o S B o iH CO VO C *4H M O IO

<u i . fH S a a oj e e 4P q;

CO

H

H c/0 (U cu

u

O iH o X CO CO C4H

Pi

14^ o O *H

4J

4J CO

pi iH 3 p) O CO

P! I

00

P3 iH

•H cO

4-1 cO V4 iH 0) P) 4J

CO cO

Pi S o o

00

m <t o

'O’ o

Pi •H00

M <r i-i 0) ^ CU PorH Po

cO CO hJ •> h3

>~l ^

VO'—

iH CM CO 0/ Pio

!z:

PQ

u o'0-

PP

inCO

HjVO in o 00

CM CM cf CO 00 r>. m

m

<u • 4J OO CO

(U • CO C CO CM0 o in

m o o o

•H CU

a • • • • • • B tH "

o C3> n- in m CO

Max. 1

Heat

Re IH 9
I

Table 3. Test Results - Small Scale Compartment

Observation Times

Test Insulating

Material

Thickness of

Insulation

Alcohol

Flame Out

(min: s)

Mattress

Flame Out

(min:s)

Flashover

(min:s)

1 None — 8:10 8:10 3:05

2 B 1 Layer

(6mm, 1/4 in)

8:05 9:50 5:52

3 C 1 Layer

(10mm, 3/8 in)

9:15 12:15 —

4 A 2 Layers

(18mm, 1/2 in)

9:25 9:25 —

5 B 4 Layers

(25mm, 1 in)

9:40 X —

6 D

*

6 Layers

(44mm, 1-3/4 in)

X —

Only 4 layers of Insulation were used in the heat release rate calorimeter

for this insulating material due to a restriction on sample thickness.

it Although one layer of this insulation is a nominal 6-mm (1/4- in) thick, an actual measurement of the 6 layers of insulation in place was 44 mm

(1-3/4 in).

X No flames were observed coming from the samples.

10
Table

4.

Test

Results -

Small

Scale

Compartment

Representative

Maximum

Compartment

and

Sample

Temperatures

dlO <U 3

cw 3 U 4J o 3 3 /—S u C/l 14 CO 3 • • (U a O- C 0 3 0 •H

•H 0 3 H •H H >w^ UH

00 \D CN

iH CO

CN

m

rH rH o o o o CN00rHm <3^

(Uo

0)

)-l u S w rt

•rlX (U <11 CO c a S 0

Vj (U a H o

<u

u S H

uo

•K CN cr> LO 00 o

Nf

m o^ t-H CN

00 00 00 00 C7^

•H Z

<I iH bOC

a

w <u *H 9 c iH a gj 3 *H ^ •H 0 4J 3 u cn

O c^ rH cn

X 4-1 3 U 0 o rH xt

O VO o 3 14 14 V-/ 00 00 rx cn CN 3 3 S a a O 0 0 rH 0 3 3 u H PQ

M-lo

CO

CO

(Ua

•HX!H

CM

GOC

•HU

CO iH3

CO3

(UCO2

PQ (D <3

M

a

CO

(U H

<N fO kT

m vD

OJ

bO3 • CO *H

T3 cO iJ

(U ^ cO •H 4-1 CO 0 CO

cO CD cw X U O 3 3 3

33 J3

O 3 4J •rl 3 4H 3 3 3 0 3 3 •H •H

O- 4-1 33 0 3 3 •rl U X! 3 U o a 3

4H 3 3 33

H3 3 3

33 3 O

rH 14

X 3 3 3 O 4-1 O 3 3

14 rH 3 3 CL

l4a 0 0 0 3 o 3 3

4-1 3 3 3 3 X 3 X 4J

14 4J 3. MH O 3 0 3 14 3 3 33 3 3 •rl X 14 14 u 3X 3

4J l4 3 33 3 X 3 4H 4J 4-1 3

14 14

O

O 3 m CL CL 3 0

14 3

<N 4-1 • • 3

00 3 3

C3V

U

X 3 4-1 4J 4-1 3 3 3 U 0

33 3 •rl 3 CL 4-1 CH 0

PX 3 4-1 O 4J 3

4J

X 3 3 4J rH 3 CL 4J 3 0 < & 33

4-1 • 3 a 'd 3 3 3

4J

a CL •H CL 3 X O

-3 3 4J H 0 3

11
Table

5.

Test

Results -

Small

Scale

Compartment

Extreme

Gas

Concentrations

0)e

CO

O o o

1C cn o o O o o o

rH • • o o • • o • • • • u C • • • • o •• o o « •HB

CN rH 'O’ CN rH

X

O o o o o o

cO

B o o o o s a CN 00 cn m o

a- iH o o O o o o o o

•1C CO

O o • • o o • • !3 • • • « • • 1—

•• • • o U c <r 00 tH <T 'O’ iH

tc •rl

——

'

B o o o O o o X o CN o 00 o

cO 'e CN rH CN fH a

a.

v—

o

CM 00 • v£> • o <r O O* o O p o in

<1) • • • • • • • • •• B C3 CN a o 'O’ •H *H rH H

CM O

—y • <r • CJ^ o C • Q • p • • •H LO • 00 • cr» s rH tH rH o O CO • CN o o VO u •• m O f-H cn o cn

cu c «• • • •• • • • • B -H CN a O o

•H CO e rH H S

•K o ^c u • / N O O SO

m CN

X S'? • • • • • cO s 1—

z O o o o w

CO

cu CN CO -O’ LO vO H

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Figure 4. Front and Plan Views of Small Scale

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16
CENTER NEOPRENE CORE ON

INSULATION AND FOLD UP END TABS

Figure 5. Method of Insulating Neoprene Cores

with One or Two Layers of Insulation

17
SIDE

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SIDE A

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SIDE

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X- LOCATION OF SAMPLE INTERNAL TCt

Figure 6. Cutaway Showing Pattern for Insulating

Neoprene Cores with More Than Two Layers

and Showing Locations of Sample Thermocouples

18
TOP VIEW

3 mm STEEL ROD

WELDED AT ALL JOINTS

END VIEW SIDE VIEW

Mattress Sample Holder for

Small Scale Compartment

19
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23

d
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NBS-114A <REV. 7-73)

U.S. DEPT. OF COMM. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET

1. PUBLICATION OR REPORT NO. NBSIR 77-1295

2. Gov’t Accession

No.

3. Recipient’s Acces.sion No.

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

Tests on Insulative Barriers as a Method of

Protecting Neoprene Core Mattresses

5. Publication Date November 1977

6. Performing Organization Code

7. AUTHOR(S)

J. N. Breese

8. Performing Organ. Report No.

9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

10. Project/Taslc/Work Unit No. 4926387

11. Contract/Grant No.

12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Complete Address (Street, City, State, ZIP)

Naval Ship Engineering Center

Naval Sea Systems Command

Department of the Navy

Washington, D.C. 20362

13. Type of Report & Period Covered

Final Report

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

15. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less factual summary of most significant information. If document includes a significant

bibliography or literature survey, mention it here.) Tests were performed to determine the value of noncombustible

insulative barriers as a method of protecting neoprene (chloroprene)

mattress cores from igniting and contributing to a shipboard fire.

The mattress systems were tested in the heat release rate calorimeter

and in a quarter scale model compartment. Thicknesses of up to 44 mm

(1-3/4 in) of ceramic fiber and glass fiber insulation were used to

protect the cores. Although the insulation reduced the rate of heating

of the core, it also served to raise Interior temperatures by the effect

of heat "trapping" to a point where the core could continue to decompose

and smolder after all exterior heat supply had been removed.

17. KEY WORDS (six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only the first letter of the first key word unless a proper name; separated by semicolons) Compartment fires; f ire-retardants; insulation;

mattresses; shipboard; thermal conductivity.

18. AVAILABILITY Unlimited 19. SECURITY CLASS

(THIS REPORT)

21. NO. OF PAGES

1

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UNCLASSIFIED 29

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22. Price

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