surfaces of walls/ceilings/escape routes - rapid fire spread

[Gary Howe]

:? apart from polystyrene ceiling tiles, what other types of linings/surfaces/finishes have been found in buildings which would lead to rapid fire spread/development?

Is there any documentation available detailing such issues

Many thanks if you can help


Gary,

[Guest]

As I recall, a contributory factor in the rapid fire development at Stardust in Dublin was carpetting on the walls

[Guest]

Gary,
there has been research carried out. Try the BRE.
Multiple levels of oil based paint on vertical surfaces present a serious threat but easy to miss/forget on an assessment.

[Ken Taylor]

I seem to recall that the rapid fire spread in a fatal fire in a block of flats in the London Borough of Southwark about 10 years ago was attributed to multi paint layers. Combustible display material on continuous corridor notice boards is also a matter of concern in this respect.

[Guest]

Warrington Fire Research are currently doing a research project following up earlier work done on multi-layer paints.

TRADA did a project on the contribution of timber wall and ceiling panelling to fires in domestic premises.

[afterburner]

Following serious fires in hotels flock surfaced wallpaper was banned on escape routes. Additionally following the deaths of firefighters in flashover conditions, untreated cellotex type boarding was also banned

[Guest]

Celotex is actually certified compliant with LPS1181 as not contributing to fire.  I think you are getting confused with some composite panels (sandwich panels) with flammable core materials.  Celotex is an insulation material which is a PIR foam board with foil facings.

[afterburner]

yes sorry about the confusion, Celotex is an insulation board. However the term cellotex came into brigade use for untreated panels of chipboard composites using a combustible matrix to hold the lot togther. Once heated on escpae routes these untreated boards gave rise to flashover conditions. I was using the term cellotex in that way, not intending linking to Celotex.

[Guest]

although multi layered paint was found to have contributed to the kings cross fire, it is hard to get ignited and sustained combustion. i.e. it won't ignite every time and it won't sustain combustion every time, but every now and then, you get it going. It won't do it for water based paints either. Also, it should be remembered than surfaces in new buildings in common areas will not allow surface spread of fire.

In fact, only really old buildings will get it going.  If it hasn't got an HC in it with a decent volatile content, it probably won't allow 'rapid' fire spread. When you get your polymers going, then maybe, but ceiling tiles are more and more often being fire retardent. That doesn't mean, though, they won't drop when the area around them is at a temp to allow failure of supporting structure.

Even wallpaper doesn't help when on the wall as the heat sink effect of the wall prevents ignition. When it falls away or forms bubbles against the wall, then you can start talking.

Just a thought