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Useful Publications Throwing Some Light on a Potential Fire Hazard
Summary Thermoplastics are widely used in lighting assemblies as electrical fittings and panels. Several large fires have been attributed to faulty light fittings. Buildin safety managers and fire officers have provided reliable eye witness reports p occurrence of flaming drips falling down from lighting assemblies and spreadi ignition of combustible materials below, such as furniture or carpets. Particula been reported in offices, libraries, stores and food-processing plants. Peter Br Morgan of WFRC share the results of their research, which was part-funded b
The problem The initial, non-flaming heat source in or near a light diffuser panel may ignit materials in close proximity and spread the fire rapidly. Fire growth will occur fast way if the initial materials ignited release high levels of heat and are able of the fire via flaming droplets. Both of these fire growth mechanisms are pre thermoplastic diffuser-panels are used in a lighting assembly.
In order to get some hard information on this phenomenon, a research projec the "Partners in Technology" scheme, with the DoE meeting 50% of the costs contributed by industry and Warrington Fire Research Centre. Our research to reaction-to-fire behaviour of typical thermoplastic diffuser-panels in simple lig was carried out in three phases:
l
Phase 1 - the reaction-to-fire properties of four widely used thermopla measured according to relevant ISO and IEC test methods. Phase 2 - light diffuser panels were tested in full-scale room scenarios panels were exposed to a primary heat source (a simulated electrical fa flame to impinge on the upper surface of the panel) and to a secondary simulated single burning item such as a waste-bin or an upholstered ch Phase 3 - a bench-scale product test for quality control purposes was d
Products tested Nominally 600 mm x 600 mm samples of the following light diffuser materials
1. Transparent PMMA (acrylic sheet) of the type known as prismatic, th flat upper surface and a lower surface moulded to give the effect of reg pyramidal "prisms". This pattern gives the sheet its desired light diffusi Thickness varied from 1 mm to 2.4 mm (nominally 1.5 mm).
2. Transparent polystyrene sheet of the type known as prismatic. Thick from 1.5 mm to 3 mm (nominally 1.5 mm).
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3. Transparent polycarbonate sheet of the type known as prismatic. Thi varied from 1 mm to 3 mm (nominally 1.5 mm). 4. Translucent white PVC-U sheet, flat on both surfaces with a nominal 1 mm.
5. A small number of prismatic transparent PVC light diffusers were sup Thickness varied from 1.5 mm to 3.0 mm.
PHASE 1: small-scale tests Ignitability to small primary heat sources was determined using three method
1. Glow-wire (IEC 695-2-1). Specimens of 5 light diffuser materials using the glow wire apparatus described in IEC 695 Part 2.112. This tes specimen into contact with the tip of a chrome-nickel alloy wire coil hea electrical current.
2. Needle-flame (IEC 695-2-2). Specimens of 4 light diffuser materi supported in a horizontal configuration and subjected, on their upper needle flame described in IEC 695-2-2:1991. This flame source represe flame created by an electrical fault which ignites plastic insulation mate impingement times of 60s, 120s and 180s were used.
3. Methenamine tablet (ISO 6925). Specimens of 4 light diffuser ma supported in a horizontal configuration and subjected to the flame from methenamine tablet as described in ISO 6925: 1982.
Ignitability to secondary radiant heat sources was determined using the Calorimeter described in ISO 5660 - 1. The cone heater was set to give heat flux of 50kW/m at the surface of the specimen. An edge frame w protect the specimen edges. The results are shown in Table 1. Table 1. Ignitability Data Product Occurence of Ignition Glow Wire 750C Polycarbonate Polystyrene PMMA PVC-U sheet PVC-U prismatic No No No No No 850C No Yes Yes No No 960C Yes Yes Yes No No
(with time is secods if appro
Needle Methenam Flame 116s 20s 92s No No
Fire growth characteristics were determined using three methods:
1. Horizontal flammability (BS 2782 Part 1 Method 508A). This is scale test method by which materials are evaluated in order to classify (a) or TP(b) for the UK Building Regulations. A specimen is subjected to burner flame at one end for 10s and the specimen allowed to burn. The for the flame front to travel 100 mm between 2 lines marked on the sp measured. A burning rate of 50mm/min qualifies the material for TP(b
2. Propagation of flaming drips using 180s application of the IEC 69
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needle-flame onto a horizontal specimen.
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3. Rate of heat release (ISO 5660) using the cone calorimeter at an 50kW/m. The results are shown in Table 2: Table 2. Fire Growth Characteristics Product BS2782-1 Method 508A Burning Rate mm/mm Polycarbonate Polystyrene PMMA PVC-U sheet PVC-U prismatic 0 23 and 53* 15 0 Not Tested No Yes Yes No No Propagation of Flaming Drips
Cone Calorimet Peak Heat Release kW/m 715 1072 850 312 173
* 2 suppliers' polystyrene diffusers were tested.
Smoke release properties were measured using the Cone Calorimeter at 50kW Visible smoke release was determined in accordance with ASTM E1354-
Table 3. Smoke Release Properties Measured in the Cone Calorimet Product Total Smoke Released m Polycarbonate Polystyrene PMMA PVC-U sheet PVC-U prismatic 14.7 17.2 2.5 13.1 21.9
Average SE Start m/kg 929 1707 500 1063 949
PHASE 2: room-scale tests Tests were performed on diffuser panels mounted in essentially end use confi the ceiling of a model room of dimensions 1.2m wide by 2.4m long by 1.5m h Two fire models were evaluated:
1. Needle flame applied to the diffuser from above in the same manner ignitability tests. This model simulated the flames resulting from an ele within the luminaire.
2. The propane sand burner described in ISO 9705 positioned against t of the room and operated with a heat output of 150kW for periods of be 10 minutes. This fire model was designed to study the reaction of the li to a fire already initiated within a room.
In both configurations, a combustible material, either newspaper or polyprop positioned beneath the light diffuser to ascertain the propensity of the diffuse fire spread via the mechanism of flaming drips or debris.
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In addition a mock up of a furnished office was constructed within the test ro ISO 9705. The front wall of the room was removed to allow a clear view of th suspended ceiling was incorporated to allow light diffusers to be fitted in a rea configuration.
Two tests were carried out in the room. The needle flame ignition source was contact with the upper surface of firstly a PVC-U light diffuser and secondly a Diffuser. During the second test the fire spread to the furnishings of the office flashover within the test room. The results are shown in Tables 4 and 5: Table 4.Small Room Scale Test Data: 150 kW Propane-Sand Burner
(values are averaged for two replicate tests)
Variable Panel Ignition Time (s)
Polycarbonate Polystyrene 39 72 72 73 168
PMMA 39 39 39 69
Time to Flaming Drips 39 (s) Newspaper Ignition Time (s) Duration of Flaming Panels (s) 44 153
* In the case of PVC-U flaming was restricted to several transient ignitions.
** One of the 2 specimens tested produced a single piece of flaming debris which ignited the newspap
Table 5. Small Room Scale Test Data: Needle Flame Ignition Source Seconds Variable Panel Ignition Time (s) Polycarbonate Polystyrene None 24 35 45 end of test PMMA 91 98 98 end of test
Time to Flaming Drips None (s) Newspaper Ignition Time (s) Duration of Flaming Panels (s) None None
PHASE 3: development of a bench-scale product test Under current Building Regulations, there are two classifications relevant to t tested in this study, viz: TP(a) rigid, and TP(b). Materials achieve their classif material prescription, or by test results. The current test, BS 2782:1 Method rate of burning, but does not include tests for other hazards such as flaming production.
Warrington Fire Research Centre has developed a bench-scale test which allo behaviour of light diffuser panels to be easily assessed. Particular emphasis is determining the propensity of the diffuser panels to produce flaming drips. Th development work has enabled WFRC to propose a draft Standard method wh being progressed within the IEC SC34D Luminaires Committee.
Conclusions A comprehensive series of fire tests of both a standard and investigative natu carried out on light diffuser panels available on the market today. The results
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carry out a fire hazard assessment of the panels, using the proposed method 11696, which is due to be published later this year. A brief summary of the a shown in Table 6:
Table 6: Summary of Fire Hazard Assessment for Light Diffuser Panel Part 2) Analysis Step 1. Fire Scenario 2. Fire Initiation Ignition Hazard 3. Fire Growth - Fire Growth Hazard 4. Smoke Opacity Visibility Reduction Hazard 5. Fire Hazard to Occupants PVC-U Office low low Polycarbonate PMMA Office low medium Office high high
medium
medium
low
low
low - medium
high
The tests and assessment have shown that two of the commonly used materi polystyrene, have the capability to make a significant contribution to the prop particular the mechanism of flaming debris has been highlighted. These mate ignited using a small flame ignition source caused by an electrical fault in the This can lead rapidly to a self-sustaining flame spread by means of flaming dr the light diffuser panel and ignition of combustible materials below the panel carpets).
The other materials tested (polycarbonate sheet and PVC-U), have shown lim produce flaming debris and have proved difficult to ignite using small flame ig
As stated earlier, there is no current requirement in Building Regulations for t by this research to be accounted for in the selection of light diffuser panel ma the results of recent fire losses, allegedly due to flaming drops from certain ty lead those involved in fire prevention to bear these findings in mind. --- ENDS --Words: 1891 Dated: 28/04/00
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Warrington Fire Research Ltd. - Useful Publications - Throwing Some Light on a Potential Fire ...

Homepage Location Map Consultancy Testing Certification APT Laboratories Contact Us

(with time is secods if appro

Needle Methenam Flame 116s 20s 92s No No

Fire growth characteristics were determined using three methods:

2. Propagation of flaming drips using 180s application of the IEC 69

* 2 suppliers' polystyrene diffusers were tested.

Average SE Start m/kg 929 1707 500 1063 949

Variable Panel Ignition Time (s)

Polycarbonate Polystyrene 39 72 72 73 168

* In the case of PVC-U flaming was restricted to several transient ignitions.

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