NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS REPORT

4120

EVALUA-T-ION

OF

FLAME SPREAD AND VAPOR PERlffiABILITY

PROPERTIES OF INTERIOR FINISHES

by

J. V. Ryan, E, W. Bender,

W. C. Cullen and D. Gross

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Sinclair Weeks, Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

A. V. Astin, Director

THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

The scope of activities of the National Bureau of Standards is suggested in the following listing

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Radio Standards. High Frequency Standards. Microwave Standards. • Office of Basic Instrumentation • Office of Weights and Measures
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS REPORT

NBS PROJECT NBS REPORT

1002-30-4850 May 25, 1955 4120

EVALUATION

OF

FLAME SPREAD AND VAPOR PERMEABILITY

PROPERTIES OF INTERIOR FINISHES

by

J, V, Ryan, Eo W, Bender,

W, C, Cullen and D, Gross

Building Technology Division

for

U, So Air Force Installations Representative

North Atlantic Region

Cross Servicing Order and Acceptance

No, CSO-920-55-41

and subsequent amendments

<NBS>

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

The publication, reprinting

unless permission Is obtalnr

25, D,C. Such permission

cally prepared If that age

Approved for public release by the

Director of the National Institute of

Standards and Technology (NIST) ZZTl

on October 9, 2015.
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EVALUATION OP FLAKE SPREAD AND VAPOR

PERMEABILITY PROPERTIES OP INTERIOR FINISHES

ABSTRACT

Results are presented of an investigation

of the flame spread and vapor barrier character-”

Istlcs of interior surface finish materials for

the protection of plywood. The results are presented in tabular form.

le INTRODUCTION

In each of two fire endurance tests of 10 by 16 ft walls

a pronounced flash and dense fumes were observed to develop

from the fire exposed surface during the first minute of exposure. Each fire exposed surface was finished with a vinyl

plastic and glass fabric material. Since such surface flash

fires appeared to represent a hazard to the occupants of buildings, the National Bureau of Standards, at the request of the

U, S, Air Force Ins tallatior^ Representative-North Atlantic

Region, undertook a research program to evaluate the flame

spread, decomposition products, and vapor permeability characteristics of several surface finish materials. Flame spread

characteristics were determined by two methods; the flammability

of one material was investigated; and the decomposition products

of several materials were analyzed to determine the amounts of

certain toxic gases present. For the applications considered,

it was desirable that the Interior surface finish provide a barrier to the transmission of water vapor. Therefore, the

water vapor permeabilities of many specimens were determined,

2. MATERIALS

The specimens subjected to the various methods of evaluation

were made up of one or more of the following materials. Follox^-

Ing the name of each is an abbreviation that appears in the tables

2.1 1/4 in, exterior grade

Douglas fir plywood ( X-ply ) The surface to which any subsequent coatings were applied

was class A plyo The plywood was obtained from the stock of a local supply house and was given no special conditioning.

2.2 Harborite ( Har )

A material consisting of I/I4. in. exterior grade plywood

with phenolic resin impregnated paper bonded to each face.
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This material was manufactured by the Harbor Plywood Corporation

of Aberdeen^ Washington, Samples of this material were received

from both the manuf acti^rer and a sub^contractor on a construction project for USAPIR-NAR and received no special conditioning,

2,3 "All Purpose Fire and Weather

Resist" paint (SK)

This is a product of the SK Laboratories 5 Baltimore , Md,

The paint was received from the supplies of a sub-contractor on

a construction project for USAFIR-NARo The paint weighed 9®

Ib/gal and was sprayed with heavy duty equipment. The manufacturer

recommended two coats 5 the first at 175"200 ft^/gal and the second

at a greater coverage. He recommended Ii-8 hours drying at 125‘'F

between coats and before any subsequent coatings were applied,

"Albl 99” ( Albi 99 ) This is a product of Albi Mfg, Co,^ Rockvillej Conn, This paint

was claim.ed to provide fire protection and good paintability

The material j in white color p was obtained from the stock of a

local distributor. The paint weighed 10,2 Ib/gal as received and

10,0 Ib/gal when thinned with 1/2 pt of recommended thlnner/gal.

The paint was sprayed with heavy duty equipment. The manufacturer

recommended one coat at 2^0 ft^/gal,j with I4-8 hours drying at room

temperature before application of subsequent coatings or before test,

2.5 "Bar-Fire l“]q8 Fire and Heat Retardant

Paint" ( Bar F ) This is a product of the Barnard Chemical Co,^ Los Angeles,

California, The paint, in white color, was received from the

manufacturer directly. He recommended two spray coats, each at

200 ft^/gal. It weighed 10,8 Ib/gal and was sprayed with conventional equipment,

2.6 "Fire-ban" ( F ban ) This is a product of the E, H, O'Neill Floors Co,, Cicero,

Illinois, The material comes as a powder to be mixed with water.

It was received from the manufacturer and mixed and sprayed, under

the supervision of his representatives, to produce a mineral coating,

2.7 Kerlold 1197 ( Kerl 7 ) This is a product of the Kerloid Corp,, Baltimore, Md,, and

is represented as having a mineral filler of slate. The material

was received directly from the manufacturer, along with a "vehicle"

to be used as a combined surface cleaner and primer. The vehicle

was brushed on and the Kerloid 1197 applied in two coats by heavy

duty spray equipment.
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2«8 Kerlold II 98 ( Kerl 8 ) This product is similar to Kerloid 1197 hut represented as having a mica filler rather than slate. Used in same manner.

2.9 Plintkote Aluminum Paint ( Flkt ) This is a product of the Plintkote Co., New York, M.Y,

The paint consists of fine aluminum flakes in an asphalt base.

This paint was Intended to provide a light reflecting surface

and a vapor barrier. It x^ras sprayed with conventional equipment, The manufacturer recommended coverage of 3> 00=-^00 ft^/gal.

The material was received from the manufacturer.

2.10 Plintkote Asphalt Primer ( Plpr ) This is an asphaltic solution to serve as a primer for Plintkote

Aluminum Paint, The material xvas received from the manufacturer,

who recommended coverage of 200-300 ft^/gal,

2.11 Permalume ( Prlu ) This is a product of the Grems Manufacturing Co, , Klamath

Palls, Oregon, A paint consisting of fine aluminum flakes in an

asphalt resin base. This paint was intended to provide a lightreflecting surface and a vapor barrier. It was sprayed vrith heavy

duty equipment after having been thinned. The manufacturer, from

whom the material was received, recomraended coverage of 200 to

300 ft2/gal.

2.12 Permaphane ( Prph ) This is a product of the Grems Manufacturing Co,, Klamath

Palls, Oregon, Represented by the manufacturer, from whom the

material was received, as being essentially the same as Permalume

with the omission of the aluminum flakes. It was thinned with an

equal volume of methyl ethyl ketone and applied by brush.

2.13 DuPont Sealer Coater ( PVA)

This is a primer and sealer of the polyvinyl acetate type,

produced by the E. I, Dupont Corporation, The material was obtained from a local paint supply house and was applied x<jith conventional spray equipment,

2o 14 Dexolium ( Dex ) This is a product of the Dexolium Corp., South Norwalk,

Connecticut, consisting of a vinyl plastic sheet on a x^oven glass

fabric backing. It was obtained from the manufacturer both with

and without a precoated adhesive on the glass fabric face, in rolls

37 in. wide. The material was gray and smooth on the vinyl face,
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and was about 0«019 in, thick Including the glass fabric. The

material was Intended for application with the vinyl surface

exposed, but was reversed for some of the specimens. In that

case, the abbreviation Dex R is used. Various adhesives or activators were used in the application of Dexolium, They were

identified on the containers' labels as follox^js: L-7“AB-1

Activator; 148x40 Fire Retardant Adhesive,

2,15 Dexollum Fire Retardant

Primer 148x43 ( Dxpr ) This is a product of the Dexolium Corp,, South Norwalk,

Connecticut, A primer for use with Dexollum, it was brushed

or sprayed,

2el6 Alumlnuiri foil ( A1

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This is a product of the Aluminum Company of America, The

foil came in a continuous roll 4 ft wide and 0,003 in, thick, and

was shiny on both surfaces. The alloy and temper identifications were ll45"0o The foil was applied 'by means of an adhesive produced by and recommended for this purpose by the

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co,, St, Paul, Minnesota, It

was labeled EC I 368 and was applied by heavy duty spra^ equipment

2«17 Corrulux ( Crlx ) This is a product of the Corrulux Division of L-O-F Glass

Fibers Company, Saraples with three different code identification

numxbers were obtained from the manufacturer. Each was a green

translucent sheet about as flexible as heavy cardboard. The

sheets ranged in thickness from about OcO^O in, to about 0,095

in,; variations being observed from sheet to sheet and over

Individual sheets to a lesser degree. The samples were identified as follows: Sample no, 39"108-1, glass fiber mat 2 oz/ft^,

fire retardant polyester, and antimony oxide . filler ; sample no,

39 - 108 - 2 , same grass mat and filler as no, 1 but general purpose

light stable polyester; sample no, 39- 108- 3 , same glass mat and

polyester as no, 1 but calciuLm carbonate filler. These sheets

were applied with an adhesive produced by the Minnesota Mining

and Manufacturing Co,, labeled EC I 383 . 2,18 Aluma-life 406I Heat Resisting

Primer ( A1 Life-P ) This is a product of the Aluma-life Co,, Memphis, Tennessee

The material, weighing about 6,7 Ih/gal, was applied by brush.

It was Intended for interior use only.
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2*19 Aluma-life h^OblA Interior Hurricane

Tite Finish ( A1 Life-V)

The material, weighing about 6o7 Ib/gal,, was applied by

brush and was intended to provide a vapor barrier when used with

the Primer.

2*20 Aluma-life Armor Plate ( A1 Life-F ) This is a coating intended to provide fire resistance. The

material, weighing about 9«2 Ib/gal, x^as applied by screeding.

It was of about the same consistency as mayonnaise. The manufacturer stated that for large areas it would be applied by very

heavy duty spray equipment,

3 , SPECIMENS

Each specimen was made of one or more of the materials described in section 2, Each material was applied and aged under

the conditions recommended by the manufacturer whenever practical.

Twenty-nine specimens consisted of a sheet of l/4 in. exterior

grade plywood or a sheet of l/l\. in. Harborite, 4 ft long by 8 ft,

and any other coatings. After the applications and aging of

materials, the finished specimens were cut up to produce three

pieces each 32 by 36 in., two pieces each 12 in. square, and eight

pieces each 6 by l8 in. The pieces x^^ere marked and placed in a room maintained at 74°!’ 56 percent relative humidity for 48

or more hours conditioning prior to testing. There were a few

exceptions to this. Specimen 7 was tested after 24 hours at room

temperature in order to determine the effect, if any, of short

drying time. Specimen 34s having aged at least six weeks at room

temperature, was conditioned about 24 hours. Specimen 33 was aged

by placing the samples in sunlight whenever possible and was in

the conditioning room overnight before test. The pieces for vapor

permeability and decomposition products determinations were not conditioned because conditioning would not influence the results.

The various materials assembled into each specimen are indicated

in table 1, with the average coverage obtained and the tests performed on the specimen. All the specimens were prepared at the

National Bureau of Standards and by Bureau personnel except specimen no. 33

Aging was by air drying in the work room or by accelerated

drying in an enclosure heated to 100 to 12^°F

,

and ranged from 24

hours of air drying at room temperature to over 4^ hours at elevated temperatures. Specimens of Harborite with SK paint on both

sides had been on hand about six weeks at room temperatures when

specimen preparation began.
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4. TEST PROCEDURES

Samples cut from each specimen were subjected to one or

more tests to determine the flame spread, flammability vapor

permeability, or the combustion products,

4«1 Flame spread by SS-A“ll8b

Tests of 29 specimens were carried out under the procedures

of Federal Specification SS“A-ll6b. However, the data obtained

and the evaluations based thereon xvere more discriminating than

called for in that specification. In this test method a conditioned specimen sample 32 by 38 in. was laid to cover the 30 in.

square opening in a horizontal frame of 2 in. steel angles. An

incombustible backing and two weights were laid on top, the latter

to flatten out any warped samples and insure continuous contact

between frame and specimen. Thermocouples were located to permit

the measurement of temperatures 1 in, below the center of the

sariiple and between the sample and the Incombustible backing. Premixed air and natural gas were forced tlirough a vertical pipe to

an open burner tip located 26-3/4 in, below the center of the

specimen. The apparatus, with specimen in place, is shown in

figure 1, The flame thus produced xvas controlled, by regi;lation

of the gas flow, to produce temperatures at the thermocouple 1 in.

below the specimen that corresponded closely to those defined in

the specification, which includes 1000°F at 5 min, 1300°F at

10 min., 1399°F at 1^ min., and 1482°'P at 20 min. The regulation

of the gas flow was accomplished automatically. Three samples of

each specimen were tested. Tests were of 20 min, duration except

in a few cases in which it appeared the sample might be fully consumed by that time. Observations were made of the times at which

the first flame from the specimen was observed, the time at which

flame touched the angle supporting frame, amount of flame, smoke,

duration of continued burning of specimen after the end of the

test exposure, and of the condition of the sample during and after

tes t

,

4«2 Flame spread by radiant panel

The apparatus used for the tests is shown in Figure 17* It

consisted of a radiant panel, a frame for support of the test

specimen and associated measuring equipment.

The radiant panel consisted of a cast iron frame enclosing

a 12"x18” porous refractory material. The panel was mounted in a

vertical plane and a pre-mixed gas-air mixture supplied from the

rear burned in Intimate contact with the refractory surface providing a radiant heat source. The panel approached its equilibrium

temperature of approximately 800°'C in about one-half hour after

ignition and its energy output was maintained by regulation of the

gas flow according to the indication of a radiation pyrometer.
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A small metal stack x^^as placed under the hood above the

test specimen to receive the hot products of combustion and

smoke. Thermocouples placed within the stack were used to

measure the maximum rise in temperature of these exhaust gases.

The temperature was automatic all;/ recorded on a potentiometer

recorder, A sampling tube was also placed within the stack to

collect a deposit of smoke on a glass fiber filter paper. An

aspirator was used to draw the stack gases through the paper at

a rate maintained constant throughout the test and the weight of

the resultant deposit was determined after completion of the test.

The test specimen measuring 6”xl8*’ vjas placed in a formed

sheet metal holder and was backed up with a sheet of asbestos

board. The loaded specimen holder was then placed in position

on the supporting frame (inclined 30 ° to the vertical) at time

zero and observations were then made of the progress of the flame

fronts the occurrence of flashes ^ etc, A pilot igniter fed by an

air-acetylene mixture served both to initiate flaming at the

upper edge of the test specimen and to ignite combustible gases

rising from the specimen. An electrical elapsed time meter was

used during observations of the progress of flaming along the

length of the test specimen and other significant times.

With one exception (specimen No. 7)? all test specimens were

conditioned by placement in a room maintained at 7^°F and ^0 percent relative humidity for at least Lj.8 hours prior to test. They

x-jere removed individually and tested almost immediately aftertransfer to the test room.

The test duration was 1^ minutes or until sustained flaming

had traversed the entire l8 inch length of specimen, whichever

time was less.

Except for the three greatest smoke-producing test assemblies

the flow rate through the smoke-collecting filter paper was kept

constant at ^000 cc/minute«

4o3 Flammability tests

These tests were made on samples of Dexolium only. They were

brought into this Investigation because of the behavior of the

Dexolium in the large wall tests. These tests were conducted in

accordance with the procedures given in an American Society for

Testing Materials test method ASTM D588-43* Strips of material

cut 1 in, wide by 12-1/2 in. long were suspended in the center of

a 1 ft square by 2 - 1/2 ft high enclosure. The strips were ignited

at the bottom and observations made of the time during x^rhich the

strip continued to burn and of the area burned.
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Water Vapor Permeability

Water vapor permeability determinations were made in general

accordance with ASTM Method E96-53T, Procedure E, on specimens

approximately lloIj-6 sq. Ino in area. Anhydrous calcium chloride

was used as the desiccant.

Assemblies with and without desiccant were used, those without desiccant being regarded as "blanks" to determine the amount

of moisture absorbed by the sample (plywood and coating). The

data are reported in perms, ioe,

grains

hr, sq, fte in, Hg

Decomposition products

Determinations of the products of decomposition as to Identity,

amount, and hazard each represents are being conducted. However,

considerable time will be required. Therefore, the method and results will be presented in a later separate report,

5» Results and Evaluation of Data

Whenever possible, the results are presented as tables and

photographs

9,1 Flame Spread by SS-A-llSb

The data obtained in the tests made by the method given in

Federal Specification SS=A-ll8b are given in Table 2, The ranges

or spreads of the data among the three samples of each specimen

are given with the averages. The classifications that would be

given under the criteria in SS-A-llSb are listed. In those instances wherein the samples of a specimen did not all fall into

the same classification, the classifications of the individual

samples are indicatedj although such materials would be rated in

the lower classification (D) by strict Interpretation of SS-A-ll8b,

Visual estimates of the smoke accumulations in the test room are

given.

In order to analyze the data in a more quantitative manner

than provided for in SS-A=ll8b, the various specimens have been

evaluated on three types of observations made during the tests:

(1) the time from the start of test until flaming appeared from

the specimen; (2) the time from the start of test until flames

touched an angle-iron side of the 30 in, square frame; (3) the

damage to the plywood or Harborite base of the specimen as indicated by the diameter of char on the reverse of the specimen

samples. These characteristics were chosen for this arbitrary

evaluation as representing respectively: (1) an indication of
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the ease of ignition; ( 2 ) an indication of the flame spread

characteristics; and ( 3 ) an indicst ion of the heat contributed

by and damage resulting to the specimen. The 20 min, period of

test was divided into intervals and each Interval assigned a

numerical rank position, small rank corresponding to later time

and better performance. The diameter of char was related to the

same scale of rank positions. The specimens were tabulated according to these three observed features and the sum of rank positions taken for each specimen. The relative rank of each specimen,

as indicated by the sum of rank positions, was determined. This

evaluation is given in Table 3®

The test apparatus is shown in Figure 1 and the specimens In

Figures 2 through 16, Both the exposed surfaces and the unexposed

surfaces are shown.

Tests x^rere made on at least four duplicate samples from each

specimen. The results are given in Table I4., The listed values are

those for the duplicate sample exhibiting the most rapid flame

spread and for the sample exhibiting the earliest flash among the

samples of the particular specimen. The intensity of the combustion process was indicated by the maximum increase of the temperature in the stack over its steady-state value. Correction has

been made for a slight stack temperature Increase observed when an

Incombustible material was placed in the test position.

The weight of the smoke deposit reported is the average of

all duplicate samples for each specimen and is based upon at least

three tests.

Fire index has been computed as the product of the peak stack

temperature rise and a flame spread factor. The flame spread factor

is

where t^ and t ^2 "the times, in minutes, for sustained flames

to pass-'^the 3

” and 12 " marks, respectively, on the test specimen.

The fladi index is Fp = 1 , ipO where t/ is the time, in minutes,

60 t^

for a pilot-initiated flash to pass the o' mark on the test specimen, The factor 1 drops out of each formula if times are expressed

5,2 Flame Spread By Radiant Panel Method,

Fs

60

in seconds
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- 10 -

The fire index and flash index values have been tabulated

in Table 4* Test assemblies have been given relative rank according to fire index performance only® The test apparatus is

shown in Figure 17 and the exposed surfaces of representative

samples in Figures l8, 19 and 20«

The evaluation described in section 4*3 was carried out on

Dexolium, the only material involved in this study to vrhich the

method, ASTM D468-43, titled "Flammability of plastics 0,0^0 in.

and under in thickness", was applicable The Dexollum with precoated adhesive was tested as received, after treatment with the

solvent activator, and with the glass fabric stripped off. The

results are given in Table No comparisons are possible since

the other materials were not tested for flammability. Although

not defined in the test method, the term "sen -extinguishing"

has been used frequently to describe materials for which results

have been obtained approximately equal to those for Dexolium,

when tested by this method®

Water vapor permeability determinations were carried out as described in Section 4*4<> Previous experience with aluminum foil

in thicknesses of about 0,003 in, had indicated that its water

vapor permeability was essentially zero. Therefore, specimens

in which aluminum foil was included were not tested but were assumed to have zero permeability. The test results are given in

Table 6, The column headed Moisture Absorbed (A) gives the data

obtained for sariiples without desiccant in the cups and the column

headed Moisture Absorbed and Transmitted (A+T) gives the data obtained for sairiples with desiccant in the cups. The permeabilities,

or rates of water vapor transmission, were computed by the following formula:

5»3 Flammability

5.4 Water Vapor Permeabilities

R = permeability in perms

A = absorbed water vapor in milligrams

T = transmitted water vapor in milligrams

h = time in hours

The coefficient 0«1 is a function of the test conditions

- 11 .

5»5 Supplementary Observations

The following comments are presented as a result of observations

made during use of the various coating materials » It should however

be emphasized that these comments are not the results of specific

tests for such properties but are included only to Indicate a need

for careful consideration of other behavior characteristics than

those evaluated in this report®

SK paint - appreciable difficulty was encountered in spraying

this paint, even with heavy duty equipment, because the paint

formed a "skin" that clogged the spray gun,

Albl 99 “ the samples of this paint on plywood, for water

vapor permeability tests, checked and cracked, apparently due

to the high humidity; required heavy duty spray equipment.

Bar Fire 1-1;8 - this paint showed a slight tendency to powder

when dry,

Fireban - this material exhibited hygroscopic properties

under high humidity conditions; it powdered and was brittle,

Kerloid 1197 this material showed hygroscopic properties

under high humidity conditions; it cracked and flaked from a few

spots during aging,

Kerloid II 98 - specimens coated with this material shovjed

hygroscopic properties under high humidity conditions,

Kerloid vehicle (primer) - Under high humidity exposure

conditions this material appeared to bleed through Kerloid 1197

and 1198 , staining them brovn and forming small drops on the

surf ace,

Fllntkote =* stained through Albl 99, even with polyvinyl

.acetate primer; Fllntkote surface remained soft,

Flintkote primer - ran and dripped at coverage used,

Permalume - surface remained soft,

Fermaphane - was brushed on because it was found very

difficult to spray; made cobwebs when sprayed,

DuPont Sealer Coater - did not prevent severe "bleeding"

of Flintkote through to subsequent Albi 99 coat.

Aluminum - considerable care was required to get it on

smoothly,

Aluma-life Armor Plate - would require very heavy duty

equipment if sprayed.
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- 12 -

The afore iiientioned IteMs may be of interest and may warrent

further consideration in any choice of materials* No attempt

was made to include these items in the evaluations of the

materials. Neither were any procedures carried out to evaluate

any of the materials as to permanence, abrasion resistance, ease

of cleaning, resistance to cleaning solutions, staining, light, or

atmospheric conditions such as warmth, cold, high or low

humidity (aside from vapor permeability) or chemical composition

of the atmosphere to which exposed. No evaluation was i:iade of

the fire and health hazards that might be associated with the

application of the various materials*

6. Summary and Discussion

A summary of the original data obtained for flame spread

and water vapor permeability together with the relative ranks

of the specimens derived from the data are given in Tables 2,

3, 4 and 6. The derivation of rankings from the flame spread

data did not include the consideration of smoke production.

Neither was the flash index Included in the radiant panel

method of ranking.

Consideration of the smoke data was omitted from the derivation of the rankings so that the latter would be based on data

related to the development of a fire on a surface. Smoke is of

importance in that it may interfere with evacuation of a building

or with fire-fighting therein but is not a direct Indication of

the fire intensity. All data utilized in the rankings were

measurements of the ignition or flame spread characteristics of

the specimens.

In order to present a more simple tabulation of the results

and to facilitate comparisons among the results obtained by the

different methods, the specimens have been grouped according to

the data. Each group covers a range of data. The ranges for

the first three groups were kept approximately equal, and the

fourth group Included all specimens not in one of the first three.

The choice of the ranges, and of the number of groups, was arbitrary. The smoke measurement data from the radiant panel method

tests has been used as the basis for a separate grouping. The

groups, and the corresponding ranges of data, are given in

Table ?•

The degree of agreement between the relative ranking of any

specimen by the SS-A-llSb method and by the radiant panel fire

index was affected by the differences in the test methods and by

the nature of the materials in the specimen. In general, specimens with a bright highly reflective surface were significantly

higher in the relative ranking by the radiant panel fire index

than in that by the SS-A-llSb method. This is as v;ould be expected since such surfaces act as reflectors of radiant energy.

However, the burner flame in the SS-A-ll8b method tests was in

contact with the specimen surface for all but the first 3i to

h^l: vdnutes. Therefore, the ranking of the reflector of radiant
'te

I

.

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•

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<' 5s-. .'

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... •^'

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energy is lower by that method than the ranking of the insulator

against heat transfer by conduction.

The fire exposure to which an Interior surface finish is

subjected in the event of a fire may be characterized by one

or more types of heat transfer. As a result, the use of both of

these methods for evaluation of flame spread characteristics

appears desirable.
** ft. %

.uc, tiJ C'n.fsaW':

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i

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J
Table 1. Schedule of specimen assemblies for tests.

Under the specimen number the letters of the alphabet are placed on i fire or high humidity, b the next material, etc. The average coverage of

2ol through 2,20 for descriptions of materials.

Specimen X No.

Mater ial\

1 2 3 4 Ry 6 7

+ 8 9 10 11 12 13

SK (2 cts,330 ft^/gal ea)

Albi 99 (1 ct 200 ft2/gal)

Dex

Dp-x- R

a

a

a a a

a

a

_ _h _

a a a

Dxpr

A1

Or lx No, 1

Or lx No, 2

b b c b a b b

Orix No, 3

PVA

Flkt (1 ot,250 ft2/gal)

Flpr (1 ct,250 ft2/gal)

Prlu (1 ct,460 ft^/gai;

Prph (1 ct,440 ft^/gal)

A1 Life-F (1 ct, 650-700

ft.2 /gan 1 A1 Life-V (1 ct,440* ft2/gal)

A1 Life-P (1 ct,35 ft2/gal)

SK fa.q SK a bn VP ) u b c c c c Kerl 7 (2 cts,125 ftXgal ea)

Ker,. 8 (2 cts,125 ft^/gal ea)

BdrF (2 cts, 125 ft2/gal ea

)

Fban (1. ct. ^2 ft2/gal) 1 Xply

Har

SK (as SK above

)

a

a b b c c c d d d b d

d

e

' f

t

TESTS

FI amp cjpTPpR X X X X X X X X X . X . ... X _x X

Vapor permeabilitv X X X X X X

Decomposition products X X X X X X

Flammability

^Tested with 24 hours air-dry curing j no accelerated curing.
i

II

'Jij.ine with the materials used 5 the letter a being the material exposed to

''haterial is given in parentheses after the name abbreviationo See Sections

h 1 ^ 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 2k (M 26

1 31 32 33 3^ 35 36 37 38 39 ^-0 4l

a a

a

a

a a

i. a

e

|a ah

b

c

b

a

a

b

a

b

a

b

b

c a

b

b h h _ a

b

c

ri n . b

a

a

a

y c

c c e d c c c b

b b b b ef

b

r,

b

r. •

c

fi

^ L. X X X X X X X X X X X X X. X X

•

r X X X X X X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X X X X X X X

X

-


Table 2, Data from flame spread

All averages are those of three samples » All durations 20 min

because it was doubtful that any of the samples would have remained by

individual samples fell into different classifications under SS-A-ll8b

into the same classif ication»

Spec- Materials S-A-ll8t Time to Flame Time Flame First

imen -1 lassif i- Av Range Touched Anele

cation mss m: s Av

m: s Rangem: s

1 Har D 4;46 4:27-5:00 7:43 5:05-9:45

2 Xply D it:37 4:16-4:50 5 = 35 4:45-7:00

3. XDly;SK D 4:49 4:30-5:10 _4:_5i_ 4:32-5:15,

4 Xply;Albi 99 D 6:02 4:55-7:10 10:38^ 7:40-12:1

5 Xply;SK;Dex D-D-C* 6:24 4:28-8:20 11:47^ 4:30-20:0

6 XrlvrDxnr :Dex 0 12:46 9:0699:00 20:00^- > 20 , 7 Xply;SK;Dex^ C-C-D* h-.57 4:22-6:00 14:51'^ 4:33-20:+

8 Xply;SK;Dxpr ;Dex R 0 6:47 6:40-7:02 20:00+ > 20

9 XDlv:Dxur :Dex R:Albi 99 C 10:07 9:00-11:00 20:00+ -> 20 . 10 Xply;SK;Al;SK C-C-D* 4:38P 4:32-4:45^ 18:45^ 16:15"20:

11 Xply;Al D 7:52 7:20-8:40 11 : 30_^ 10:40-12;

12 Xd1y;SK:

A

1 : Albi 99 C-C-D* 16:29 1 2:01 -17:20 14:26-20:-

13 SK;Har;SK;Al;Albi 99 0 15:00 LI; 17-18: 30 20:00+ > 20

14 Xply;Flpr ;Flkt D 4:43 4:25-4 : 55 4:49 4:32-5:0

l'^ XDlv;Prph;Prlu D 4:38 4:24-4 :46 4:61 4:48-4 ; 5- 16 Har ;Flpr ;Flkt D 4:38 4:30-4:40 4 :48 4:33-5:0

17 Har ; Prph; Prlu D 4:27 4:20-4:35 4:52 4 ;45-4:

5

18 XdIv ; Flur : Flkt : Pva : Albi 99 D 6:48 3:20-8:06 .9:07 6:4290:

19 Xply; Prph; Prlu; Albi 99 D-D-C* 6:42 6:15-7:05 13:42+ 9:20-20:

20 Xply;SK;Crlx No. 1 C 4:36 4:20-4:50 20:00 >20

21 XDlv:SK:Cr]x No, 2 D 4:24 4:20-4: ^0 1+ : 42 4- 22-4*4.

22 Xply;SK;Crlx No. 3 C-C-D* 4:11 4:00-4:17 18 : 00+ 6:00-20:

24 Xply; Fban D 6:05 5:55"6:20 8:12 7:10-9:5!

25 Har;SK D 4:44 4:76-4:60 7:07 6 : 23 - 8 : 0] 26 Har ; Bar-F 0 7:51 7:00-8:30 20:00+ >20

31 Har;Kerl 7 D-D-C* 5:01 4:37-5:42 11:47'^ 7:02-20:'

32 Har;KerL 8_ ... D-D-O* 1 2 1 44C 8 : c^7-16: 70C 1 c^:2Q+ 9? l4_2.Q*j

33 SK;Har;SK;Al Life-P;

A1 Life-V;A1 Life-F

D 4:03 3:50-4:20 9:01 8:07-10:i

3^ SK;Har;SK D 5:23 4:38-6:05 6:25 6:03-6:4.

"^Time given includes use of 20 min 0 sec time for specimens that did

not flame to angle during test.

^-Tested 24 hours after preparation, no accelerated aging.

^Lightly scorched over indicated diameter; no char.

Q One of three samples did not flame during test, average based

on other two samples.

*Note: According to SS-A-ll8b,when samples of the same specimen fall in

different classifications, the lower shall apply to the specimen; therefore, D classification would apply.
tests by SS~A-ll8b method

except specimens ih, 15 , and 17 which vrere stopped in 10 to l4 min

20 mino In tests of specimens 5, 7, 10, 12, 19, 22, 31 and 32 the

as indicated^ For the remaining specimens, all three sam,ples fell

Elapsed Time

For Flame ' Hole Through Diam of Char ,Av Continued Smoke

Advance to Diameter Exp Rev Flaming

Angle Av Max ino ino Av Max

mis ino ino m: s m? s

1 2:57 6 6 16 11 0:15 0:20 M

)!' 0:58 12 28 22 0:12

il: 0 ; 06 11 12 24 14 0:23 0:30 H

1 7 10 17 12 0:43 0:50

ilji 5:23^ None None 26 11 0:00 0:00 VH

f 7;lh+ None None , 21 ]0 .. .....Ti ..... ... 9;5a^ None None 25 13 0:04 0:12 VH

13:13+ None None 22 ' ]2 0:00 0:00 VH

!. 9:53 + None None ] 2 6b 0:00 0:00 TT 1A:07+ 1 3 30 11 0:5-3 1:20 L

14 18 19 22 1:03 1:15 L

2:39'^ Crack 1 22 0J.3B -_M

5 ; 00"^ Crack 2 23 12^ 6:47 0: 54 M

0:06 10 14 30 16 0:56 1:20 M-H

0:13 12 18 30 24 0:99 1 :09 M

c| 0:10 12 14 30 21 0:57 1;30

1 0:25 11 14 29 20 1:20 1:52 }

: 3:19, 9 11 29 14 0 : 42 . 0_: 5.3 . _ .... M._ _. 4 \

; 7 : 00+ 7 8 21 11 0:24 0:30 L-H

i. 15 None None 11 11 0:00 0:00 VH-Ac

j|

0:18 None None 30. ... 9 0:00 0:00 vim

)1 None None 20 11 0:00 0:00 H-Ac

1

2:07 13 16 26 19 1:55 5:25

2 ; 19 5 7 23 12 0:2 3 0:27 T._M

T 12:09'^ None None 16 1:00 1:33 M

];!

' 6:46'^ 4 1 7 19 13 6:23 0:p2 L

2 :A5 None None Blister 11 0:11 0:29 L-M

3!|I b 12 28 20 0:36 1:10 H-VH

1:02 7 8 25 11 0:16 0:21 L-M

- -

II

i

nji
1 f*

rtV*' -rfci ^

i .

' -

II

J-

(• ;

V- - .

I
<+Ho

and

the

;s

are total 'ormance Relativ< Rank CO^DJ- X-C0X-XI0-X (ONvDJ- H IxOCOXX H CO X O H OO cxCPMD XOO HCMXHH H H (AJXXXXH C\J C\JH H C\J H

CuO 0 <M ur

- a ^ p Cm 0

oo *H -p 0 O O

1 1 0 Ph X -H 0 0 >1 0 X HCO U-\\0 UaCM£^vO UaO 0-0 0 \0 O OCO 0--XOO -'OOCM HCOlHirNPOH

1 •H 0 rP P 0 0 H J-X-J-POonHPOCvlHfXnOHHX- OJ- J- oO cx C\J J- (XJ- J- H oO C\J J" Ja 0^ 0 X X 0

1 P -p O O ‘ CO 0 0 0 -p EH X

CO -p 0 -p 0 V ' 0 P 0 rP 0

-P "H M 0 P

-P 0 0 0 a 0

COQ) p 0 0 "H 0 0 -H*H td-2 o a 1—1 CXI mx IrwD (HCO OO H X COJ- iPvO HOO O O H X X“ iPvO H X ooj-

+j P* 0 0 0 HXHXXXXXHXXXXXXXXXXX w cn 0 PX (

1 0 P 0 0 CO

<D O 0 0

c! •H ^7^ p-i cd -P 0 0 Ph a •H 0 0 0 ^X

0 > P O X

1—1 O 0 "H 0 I—

X

cci 0 (XOrH 0 p “'O 0- X PO

+J O 0 a 0 vO X X X »' XX

CH -H CO -P 0 H X X <TV HO ^ o 0 4J -H O X o a lr\Ox X PT X

Nl 0 "H -P *T-1 0 0 CO 1

1 —1 X «' X '

1 I •H P 0 0 CO PX 1 1 X PT *' <7>. u o 0 ;s CO •'OJ EOl »pr IH 1—1 LTN o xj p a O O 0 o X X 1—IX XX 1—1

1—1

1

1 -c! O -H rH 1 0 •H XJ O p p

a X 0 0 0 0 0 0

o J5 0 P M > 0 X

p P 0 0 0 o o X

Cm t>j -P 3 X “H 0 o O X 0 Xl H 0 P H 0 p 0

x: o p Q 0 O O O o

0 0 EH 0 Cl) X X o 1—1 XETNlHOHXliO O-OX

> •H 0 S •H 0 CO X ETnIHOX HXXXXXX XXX

•H P ° O

0 0 Ch 0 CO Q . X

0 H 0 O > Cl) •H o °rH a 0 0

' X *V|

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ro X ! 1 LtnX

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cci 0 0 P 0 <tj 0 X •'X I—

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X O P P X 0 a CO » 1—

X X «>' H P 0 O O P 0 J--0 o X o CO 0" »pj" •'X

Cm > -P Cm 0 CO X MD C\J 1—

roHX EP\ 0" 1—IX'—1 CO X 'X 1—1 o •'X tH P CD 0 0 -P 0 cr> rr: 0 + O OCO (HX UAX- <XX 1—

o

a 0 0 0 P a a 0 o X'—li—li—li—li—li

1 '—(' I HXOXINXEtn 0- XX

O O P H 0 • H o •H *H X 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i ! 1 1 1 1 I ! 1 •H •H 0 P EH X EH a OCO (HX ixj- nox X OOXHXITN0- XXX

-p H 0 P P 1—li—li—li—li—li—li—li—li 11—

0 •H X 0 p

0 0 -P 0 0

r—

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0 P tuOEH 0 a rH > 0 -P 0

0- •'O X

X H p cd X X O X X

0 > 0 0 ^ (—H ^ 0 0 0) tH 0 0 O0“ •-'(H Etn

0 p X a X a 0 1—1 CO I

1 C\J ro •H 0 0 a

«V 9^. «N CO 'T- O H 1 1 •H X XX H XX X

0 0 P 0 O X o 1—

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rH > 0 PX H 0 X #nLP\ ^c\j ^ ^

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1

1—1 1—IX

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HXOX(HXECN 0- XX

X P H X 0 H ! t 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 III

•'OHM X a OCO (HX lr\J- POX X O ox (HX ECN0- XX X

CO CO ^ *H *fH •H + 1—1 1—1 1

1 1—1 1—1 rH 1^ 1—1 1 1 1—1 •H 0 0 X p o

X 0 X o o X

Eh a 0 P 0

•H (—

1 o 0 X 0 X "H ClJ 0 X 0 cd 0 0 O 1—1 X POJ- lr\X H-X OO X X X0- EtnX t>- X oo

P O 0 X 0 O H 1—1

1—|i—|i—li—li—li—li—1 1—li—IX

CO X p X XXX L
t

''T.l

‘ W'>* •

.

t-."’ \j^

'*' ‘ .

- .- \

'

- ii ^V*i - -

*''• ''''^

C'

it'

i

»-- -tI .*"» -yw*"-' -» ^

rJ^'

^-"7i - ^•

\ t»

T

I—

.

/' ••

i-' * -9 *1,'/'*

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if

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»"r'*' -4''^ ^<t— m -4 '

' liisf

TABLE Ii-t, Suunmary of data obtained by radiant panel method.

and computed indexes. Blank spaces indicate the feature correspond- i in g to the column heading was not observed in the 1$ min, test durati

SPECIMEN MATERIALS FLAME SPREAD PLASE . i Time

Flames

to 3

"

Time

Flames

to 12 "

Time * Flash

to 6 "

3 min. min. min.

1 Ear 2.35 5.16 1,10

2 Xply 0,73 2.55 - 3 Xply;SK 0,70 8,25 -

)| XplyjAlbi qq 1.10 11,10 2.ii0

5 ‘Xply ;SK;Dex 1,50 2el0 0.30 1 6 Xply ;Dxpr ;Dex 4.00 - 0o48 1 7 Xply ;SK;Dex 5.90 5. 90 0.25 1

8 XnlY:SK:Dxnr :Dex R - 3,11.0 J Q/ Xply ;Dxpr ;Dex R;Albi 99 0 ® 60 -= O.tl-7 1

10 Xply;SK;Al;SK 0cl6 _

1

11 Xply;Al =. - 1 12 Xply;SK;Al;Albi 99 - 1 ~~T3 SK;Har;SK;Al;Aibi '9^ DT 9 I 1

14 Xply ;Flpr ;Plkt 2,80 llo 25 1

Xply ; Prph ; Pr lu I 065 9.80

16 Ear :Plpr :Flkt It . 25 - O.ll-l 1

17 Ear ; Prph; Prlu ftp 14,20 1

18 Xply ;Plpr ;Plkt ; Pva; Albi 99 1,65 0o20 i 19 Xply ; Prph; Prlu; Albi 99 2,15 “ 2o60

20 XDlY;SK;Crlx No. 1 — li.25

21 Xply;SK;Crlx No, 2 0,98 4.11

22 Xply;SK;Crlx No, 3 0„80 5.15 - 24 Xply ;Pban 2,00 2 » 55

29 Ear;SK 0,39 - 26 Ear ; Bar F 9.50 0.57

31 Ear ;Eerl 7

- - 32 Ear;Kerl 8 - - - 33 SK;Ear;SK;Al Life-P;

A1 Life-V;A1 Life-F 2,80 2,90

34 SK ; Ear ; SK 0.88

-X'Based on Fire Index
REACTION

INTENSITY SMOKE FIRE PLASH RELATIVE RANK”

Net Peak

Stack Temp*

Rise

Avg Weight

of Deposit

Index Index

Deg. C mg

70 0.9 35 .61 21

108 0.3 106 - 29

83 1,0 45 - 25-

70 1 » 2 26 .28 20

58 2,7 58 2,2 26

57 3« 6 8.8 1,4 10

ii-i 3.2 17 2,7 17

56 3.0 5.6 .20 7

2k 1.7 9.1 1.4 12

36 1.2 41 - 24

9 0.1 0,9 - 1

56 1.0 5,6 - 6

23 1.1 2.3 .73 2

76 0.8 23 - 18

67 1.1 25 - 19

65 2.0 9.0 1.6 11

30 1.7 9.4 13

33 1.5 6.6 3.3 , 9

78 1,2 14 ,26 15

56 6.8 5.6 .16 8

94 2|7B 64 - 27-

57 15®5 36 - 23-

65 1.0 12 .26 14

68 1.2 36. .. - 22

23 1.2 2,7 1.2 3

kk 0.4 4.4 - 5

31 0,6 3.1 - 4

117 1,8 86 - 28-

59 0.7 17 - 16
ifii ti
Table 5- Flammability of Dexolium

Ignition was by the benzene drop method, given in ASTM

0568-^3 <• -^11 Dexolium used had precoated adhesive on glass

fabric

Condition of Sample Thickness

in

Number

of

Specimens

Time of Flamine: Char Area

Av Range Av

in^

Range

in^

Glass Fabric Oh; No 0 , 019- 8 5 = 7

It. 5

- 7.2 0,8 0, 5-1,0

Activator 0,023

Glass Fabric Off, No 0 , 015- 8 6,8 5,0-8,

1,1 0 , 9

- 1,25

Activator 0,017

Glass Fabric On,

Activator applied

i hr drying 5 12,6 6,2-174 3,4 0, 6-6,0

2 hr drying 5 11,4 4,7-28=0 •: 3.8 12^12,0

Activator, Glass

Fabric Off * i hr drying 8,5 4 , 8 -13,5 2,5 0 , 7

- 7,0

2 hr drying 3 7^1 6,0-8,

3,2 1 , 0 - 5,0

*Too soft to be "miked" after activator applied, probably

within O 0 OO2 in, of above.
f

1

f

I

i ,

I

.

'

' r,

(

4

t-;1 X-

/-’ 4

fL':..

. . .:/%

e\‘

,- H

^ C;.i ...; . ,

,1

. ^ '..i ..

‘ ' 1

. . \Av>

‘'XL-

_?/5

..:M

’VV

‘,'ft>v3

•
Table 6. Water Vapor Permeabilities

The data obtained and the computed permeabilities are given,

the latter in perms = grains/ft, hr,ino Hgo The values of moisture

absorbed and transmitted represent the averages of three samples.

The permeabilities of specimens 10, 11, 12 and 13 were assumed

0.0 perms from known characteristics of aluminum foil. Specimens

7, 8, 9, 20 and 22 were not tested because the vapor barrier

materials in those specimens were in other tested specimens.

Specimen No< Materials

Moisture

absorbed

(A)

Moisture

absorbed

and transmitted

(A+T

Permeability

mg mg Derms

1 Har 3^04 5356 0.7

2 Xply 2 936 8515 1.9

3 XplyjSK 900 1731 0,3

Xply;Albi 99 4212 6310 0.7

5 Xply jSKjDex 78^ 126 ^0.1

6 XplyjDxpr ;Dex 460 607 ^0.1

7 Xply ;SK;Dex b

8 Xply;SK*,Dxpr ;Dex R b

9 Xply;Dxpr ;Dex R;Albi 99 b

10 Xply;SK5 A1;SK 0.0

11 Xply;Al 0,0

12 Xply5SK;Al; Albl 99 0.0

13 SK;Har jSKjAljAlbi 99 0.0

Ih XplyjFlpr ;Flkt 363 303

15 Xply; Prph; Prlu 3906 3850 ^O.ic

16 Har ; Flpr ; Flkt 2648 2520 ^lO.lc

17 Har ; Prph: Prlu 3946 7548 1^3

18 Xply ; Flpr ; Flkt ; Pva

Albi 99 130^ 223 ^0.1

19 Xply; Prph; Prlu; Albi 99 218^ 397 0.2

20 Xply;SK;Crlx No. 1 d

21 Xply;SK;Crlx No. 2 136 146 <0,1

22 Xply;SK;Crlx No, 3 d 24 Xply;Fban 266^ 789 0,5

33 SK;Har ;SK; AlLife-P;

AlLife-V;AlLife-F 13^ 103 <0.1

3^ SK;Har ;SK 667 803 <0.1

35 DexCwith adhesive) 22 1489 0.5

Dex(no adhesive) 33 1745 0 .

4o SK;Xply ;SK 1261 1716 0.1 4l SK;Xply;SK;Dex 62 9 948 0.1

^These samples exposed to test conditions for about 120 hours, other about 300 hours.

^Not tested, see similar specimens 5 and 6.

greater than A+T , therefore permeability could not be computed

but IS indicated as low.

Not tested, see similar specimen 21.

Table 7* Groupings by specimen number and evaluation method

The groups represent a simplification of the relative

ranks; Group I indicates better performance than Group II, etc»

The specimen numbers are given in numerical order within the

groups. For relative rank see tables 3 5 ^5 and 6 . The

groups are based on arbitrarily chosen ranges of data or

computed numbers, as follows;

SS-A-ll8b

Sum of rank

Positions

Radiant Panel Water Vapor

Fire Permeability

Index

Smoke

Weight

mg perms

Group I 10-20 0-6.0 0-2.0 <0.1

II 21-30 6.1-12.0 2. 1-^.0 O 0 I-O .5

III 31-^0 12-18 4. 1-6.0 0 . 6-1 .

IV >ko >18 >6.0 >1.0

Groups by specimen numbers

Pig. 1 Frame, burner, and thermocouple for SS-A-ll8b tests

with specimen in place.

Fig.

2

Exposed

Surface

Unexposed

Surface

ff

Fig.

3

Exposed

Surface

Unexposed

Surface

Pig.

k

Exposed

Surface

Unexposed

Surface
i
Exposed

Surface

Unexposed

Surface
F'

1

t

f

I

)

;

j

I

i'

I

I

<

>

i

•

I

‘\F r

. '3

3.
Exposed

Surface

Unexposed

Surface

Exposed

Surface

Unexposed

Surface

Exposed

Surface

Unexposed

Surface

Exposed

Surface

Unexposed

Surface

!

Exposed

Surface

Unexposed

Surface

Exposed

Surface

Unexposed

Surface

Unexposed

Surface

Exposed

Surface

Unexposed

Surface

Unexposed

Surface

Exposed

Surface

Unexposed

Surface



ftlll #1MIM

Pig. 17. Apparatus for radiant panel tests, with specimen In

Inclined frame.



''4

Pig. 19. Samples from radiant panel tests. with specimen numbers



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