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Fire Safe Interior Surface Finishes : A Selection Guide


Affiliations
1 Technical Officer, Fire Research Division, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, Haridwar District, Uttarakhand - 247 667, India
2 Sr. Principle Scientist, Fire Research Division, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, Haridwar District, Uttarakhand - 247 667, India
3 Sr. Scientist, Fire Research Division, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, Haridwar District, Uttarakhand - 247 667, India

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The main focus of this article was to mitigate the fire hazards occurring from the internal furnishing materials widely used in buildings. To enhance the safety of life and property inside buildings, internal material selection guide characteristics were developed. The internal furnishing materials used in the buildings were initially characterized as non-combustible and combustible materials based on the ignitability properties of materials as per Indian Standard, IS: 3808 – 1979. The combustible materials were further classified as Class 1 – 4 based on the surface spread of the flame (SSF) as per British standard BS 476 : Part 7. With these specifications and standard test methods, the internal furnishing materials such as gypsum board, rock wool slab, deodar wood, Polyvinylchloride structural foam, Phenol formaldehyde foam, particleboard, rice husk board, and particleboard, etc. were characterized. Recommendations were prepared on their usage of the materials for selection and application at a suitable location, with respect to ceiling height, and any fire-retardant treatment. These internal furnishing materials selections/recommendations guide will help to improve fire safety in buildings.

Keywords

Classification, Combustibility, Fire Hazards, Interior Finishes, Surface Spread of Flame (SSF).

Manuscript Received : March 16, 2021 ; Revised : April 8, 2021 ; Accepted : April 10, 2021. Date of Publication : June 5, 2021.

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  • Fire Safe Interior Surface Finishes : A Selection Guide

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Authors

Rakesh Kumar
Technical Officer, Fire Research Division, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, Haridwar District, Uttarakhand - 247 667, India
Ansari A. A.
Sr. Principle Scientist, Fire Research Division, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, Haridwar District, Uttarakhand - 247 667, India
Aravind Kumar A.
Sr. Scientist, Fire Research Division, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, Haridwar District, Uttarakhand - 247 667, India

Abstract


The main focus of this article was to mitigate the fire hazards occurring from the internal furnishing materials widely used in buildings. To enhance the safety of life and property inside buildings, internal material selection guide characteristics were developed. The internal furnishing materials used in the buildings were initially characterized as non-combustible and combustible materials based on the ignitability properties of materials as per Indian Standard, IS: 3808 – 1979. The combustible materials were further classified as Class 1 – 4 based on the surface spread of the flame (SSF) as per British standard BS 476 : Part 7. With these specifications and standard test methods, the internal furnishing materials such as gypsum board, rock wool slab, deodar wood, Polyvinylchloride structural foam, Phenol formaldehyde foam, particleboard, rice husk board, and particleboard, etc. were characterized. Recommendations were prepared on their usage of the materials for selection and application at a suitable location, with respect to ceiling height, and any fire-retardant treatment. These internal furnishing materials selections/recommendations guide will help to improve fire safety in buildings.

Keywords


Classification, Combustibility, Fire Hazards, Interior Finishes, Surface Spread of Flame (SSF).

Manuscript Received : March 16, 2021 ; Revised : April 8, 2021 ; Accepted : April 10, 2021. Date of Publication : June 5, 2021.


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17010/ijce%2F2021%2Fv4i1%2F160808