If no evidence rebuts these points, then why require E-84 testing for insulation foams? 2) Reports on facade structure fires show that flame retarded polystyrene foams are a significant fuel source for fast spreading fires. References accessed 14 March 2014: http://magazine.sfpe.org/fire-investigation/monte-carlo-exterior-facade-fire Do these reports support the hypothesis that using a FR in the polymer is insufficient on its own, and so the thermal or ignition barrier is a critical component of the sub-assembly or building system? Do reports support the hypothesis that once a fire is intense enough to breach the thermal barrier controls, the FR does not significantly reduce the fire growth or spread? Does E84 testing predict real world performance, or is assembly testing necessary to assess actual fire performance? 3) Papers submitted by Marcelo Hirschler show that Heat Release Rate (HRR) can be reduced, and Time to Ignition (TTI) increased, if sufficient levels of retardants are added. However, most of these data appear to be from experiments using high levels of flame retardants, and often mixtures of different flame retardants. QUESTION: Do the standard commercial insulation products have HRR and TTI values that are substantially and meaningfully different than the flame retardant free materials? Please provide data. 3a) HRR appears to show some relationship to ignition source energy flux (e.g. table 3, or table 16. Table 16 suggests that higher ignition energy flux results in increased HRR. What is the energy flux range (kW/m2) expected at flashover? At flashover conditions does the FR create a meaningful difference? Again, what data supports the answer? 4) A series of reports indicate that improperly applied Spray Foam Insulation can spontaneously ignite during the exothermic curing process, or during spraying if an ignition source is present. References accessed 14 March 2014: (last paragraph)
If no evidence rebuts these points, then why require E-84 testing for insulation foams? 2) Reports on facade structure fires show that flame retarded polystyrene foams are a significant fuel source for fast spreading fires. References accessed 14 March 2014: http://magazine.sfpe.org/fire-investigation/monte-carlo-exterior-facade-fire Do these reports support the hypothesis that using a FR in the polymer is insufficient on its own, and so the thermal or ignition barrier is a critical component of the sub-assembly or building system? Do reports support the hypothesis that once a fire is intense enough to breach the thermal barrier controls, the FR does not significantly reduce the fire growth or spread? Does E84 testing predict real world performance, or is assembly testing necessary to assess actual fire performance? 3) Papers submitted by Marcelo Hirschler show that Heat Release Rate (HRR) can be reduced, and Time to Ignition (TTI) increased, if sufficient levels of retardants are added. However, most of these data appear to be from experiments using high levels of flame retardants, and often mixtures of different flame retardants. QUESTION: Do the standard commercial insulation products have HRR and TTI values that are substantially and meaningfully different than the flame retardant free materials? Please provide data. 3a) HRR appears to show some relationship to ignition source energy flux (e.g. table 3, or table 16. Table 16 suggests that higher ignition energy flux results in increased HRR. What is the energy flux range (kW/m2) expected at flashover? At flashover conditions does the FR create a meaningful difference? Again, what data supports the answer? 4) A series of reports indicate that improperly applied Spray Foam Insulation can spontaneously ignite during the exothermic curing process, or during spraying if an ignition source is present. References accessed 14 March 2014: (last paragraph)
DRAFTrptCSFMFlammabilityStandards-03212014.docx