Small-scale assessment of flame propagation and heat release rate of electric cable materials

In an effort to assist materials development and provide a more fundamental appraisal of the fire performance of materials two small-scale tests have been investigated. These assess the heat release rate potential of materials and the vertical fire propagation characteristics of materials and model cables. The work reported utilizes a calorimeter based on the Tewarson design to obtain time, heat flux and atmosphere dependent heat output information on cable insulation and sheathing materials. A vertical chimney test was also devised based on the `Swedish´ Chimney, to obtain time and temperature dependent information on the flame propagation characteristics of cable materials and simple cable assemblies