The amount of heat, which is released by fire loads during the combustion process, depends on the material characteristics, the ventilation conditions, the storage density and the distribution. To evaluate the structural stability of buildings in case of fire, the fire load has to be quantified. In Germany, the fire load is quantified by using the combustion factor m, while internationally the combustion efficiency χ is applied. Both factors assess the burning behavior of materials, but the determination is carried out in different ways. Since the testing facility was abolished fifteen years ago, it is not possible to determine the combustion factor m anymore. So, it should be found out, if the combustion efficiency χ is a convenient method to quantify the fire load under the consideration of the German standards. As a part of the research, combustion efficiencies χ were determined for eight materials in the cone calorimeter and the single burning item test at different heat fluxes. The values of the combustion efficiencies χ as well as the corresponding combustion factors m were discussed and compared to the values of the literature. The results show an influence of the testing facility on the combustion efficiency. The values of the combustion efficiency determined in the single burning item test were higher than the values from the cone calorimeter.
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