Flammable Liquids in Plastic Containers Small Scale Burn Tests

Abstract

A series of small-scale test-burn experiments were conducted at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in order to study variables which might affect the fire performance of plastic packages containing flammable liquids. The study demonstrated that manipulation of packaging variables could decrease the rate of fire growth as well as the peak rate of heat release by up to 70%. Critical variables were thermal insulation of bottles within the cartons, the material of construction and size of the bottles, and the use of flame retardant in the corrugated packaging. The research identified ways in which plastic bottles could be protected but made no attempt to optimize either methods or economics. Further experimental work as well as technical innovation in packaging design is needed.