A new tool for the assessment of fire performance of synthetic materials used as insulation cable the EDF/CNRS calorimeter

Describes a new calorimeter that allows heat release rate measurements with two techniques. The main contribution is related to the thermal method since convective and radiative components can be measured simultaneously. Hence, the usual limitation due to heat losses is overcome and the accuracy of the thermal and oxygen methods can be compared directly. For the main part, this comparison will be based on measurements performed with a gas burner fed with methane. However, to check the ability to measure heat release of solid materials, the results obtained with polymethylethacrylate (PMMA) and polyvinylchloride (PVC) are considered as well