Forensic evaluation of clothing flammability

Hirschler, Marcelo M.; Zicherman, Joseph B.; Umino, Peter Y.

doi:10.1002/fam.997

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…On the other hand, fires resulting from upholstered furniture, floor coverings, curtains, and drapes are more frequent, but result in a significantly lower rate of fatalities. The flame spread rate observed after ignition of cellulosic, common synthetics and blended fabric apparels is heavily dependent on fabric areal density, with the highest danger with lightweight fabric as shown by Hirschler et al [11,12]. Apart from low areal weight fabrics, raised-surface (highly brushed) apparel is also of concern from the point of view of high flammability hazard, because of easy ignition and fast flame spread.…”

Section: Flammability Of Textiles (General Comments)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Flame Retardants in Commercial Use or Development for Textiles

Weil¹,

Levchik²

2008

Journal of Fire Sciences

249

105

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Non-durable and semi-durable flame retardants based mostly on phosphate or phosphonate salts continue to be used on infrequently washed or disposable goods, and recent improvements have been made to impart better `hand' or some limited wash resistance. Backcoating with insoluble ammonium polyphosphate, usually with additives and binders to provide intumescence, has been found effective on charrable fabrics. However, the leading backcoating effective on a wider range of fabrics, including synthetics and blends, is decabromodiphenyl ether plus antimony oxide. Newer candidates in development for textile coating are polymers and copolymers of pentabromobenzyl acrylate. The leading durable finish for cellulosic fibers, in use for about 50 years, continues to be based on tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium salts reacted with urea and cured with gaseous ammonia. Softer versions have been recently developed using chemical or process modifications, or using selected fiber blends. Somewhat less durable phosphonic ester methylolamide finishes, not requiring gaseous curing, are used on cellulosic fabrics, especially overseas. Other competitive wash-durable phosphorus-based finishes for cellulosics and blends are in development. Polyesters continue to be flame retarded using a phosphonate or hexabromocyclododecane in a `thermosol' process. Polyesters with built-in phosphinate structures are available as specialty fabrics. A dialkylphosphinate salt has been recently introduced as a melt spinning additive in polyester. A tribromoneopentyl phosphate melt spinning additive has been developed for polypropylene fiber. A number of inherently flame retardant synthetic fibers recently achieving increased usage include melamine-based fiber, viscose rayon containing silicic acid, aramides, oxidized polyacrylonitrile, and polyphenylene sulfide fibers. Some of these are used in protective clothing. The recent California and Federal mattress open-flame test standards have brought barrier fabrics into prominence. Some of these barriers use boric acid on cotton batting, others are proprietary composites and blends, both woven and nonwoven, comprising inherently flame retarded fibers combined with lower cost non-flame-retardant fibers. Upholstered furniture open-flame standards are pending.

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Section: Flammability Of Textiles (General Comments)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Flame Retardants in Commercial Use or Development for Textiles

Weil¹,

Levchik²

2008

Journal of Fire Sciences

249

105

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“…It has also been unable to address the fire risk associated with garments for the two types of populations most likely to be affected by fire: the very young and the elderly. A recent investigation of the effectiveness of the 16 CFR 1610 test and of its implications discusses the test in detail [5]. When considering apparel, it must be borne in mind that textile fabrics can be, broadly, classified into: charring and melting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey of small‐scale flame spread test results of modern fabrics

Hirschler¹,

Piansay²

2006

Fire and Materials

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SUMMARYThe flammability of apparel worn on a person has one of the highest ratios of fire fatalities per fire, and there are few statutory requirements. A series of evaluations was conducted on the flammability of 50 fabrics (both cellulosic and thermoplastic) using the (now withdrawn) NFPA 701 small-scale test. The fabrics covered a broad range of areal densities (weights) and many were not intended for apparel. A series of conclusions were reached. In particular, it is apparent that the following primary correlation exists between fabric weight and flammability: the heavier the fabric the better it behaves in a fire. Secondarily, however, the type of fabric also strongly affects this conclusion. This paper presents the results of the testing and offers an analysis.

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“…It shows that flame spread behaviors among different materials are also affected by many factors. For example, Hirschler et al (Hirschler, Zicherman, and Umino 2009) studied the flame propagation of a series of cellulose fibre fabrics and blended fabrics, and showed that the fire behavior was more dependent on the area density of fabrics than the chemical composites.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flammability and flame spread behavior of common fuels in Chinese historical buildings: An experimental research

Shi

et al. 2022

Combustion Science and Technology

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A feature of Chinese historical buildings is the preservation of many traditional customs, such as using candles and incense burners, and decorating the rooms with some textiles. Therefore, there are both many fire sources and combustible materials indoors, which puts a huge threat to fire safety. Although some researchers have experimentally studied the ignition and fire spread characteristics of several combustible materials, to better conduct fire risk assessment in historical buildings, the dynamic burning behaviour of common fuels should be further analysed. This paper carried out experimental investigations for flammability and fire spread behaviours of combustible materials usually used in Chinese historical buildings, which are made of both natural fibre and synthetics. Considering practical applications, the size of each sample is chosen from standard-testing size to real size. It is summarized that there are large deviations among different materials due to their ingredients, textures, structures, etc. The natural-based materials are easy to catch fire and burn up quickly, and some synthetics reveal sharp increase in heat release rate. For the synthetics, as it can melt during burning, the flame spread process is accompanied by dripping. Once there are some combustibles near it, the dripping part is liable to ignite the surroundings and cause damage to cultural relics. Based on these knowledges, fire hazards of different materials in Chinese historical buildings are evaluated.

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Forensic evaluation of clothing flammability

Cited by 10 publications

References 2 publications

Flame Retardants in Commercial Use or Development for Textiles

Flame Retardants in Commercial Use or Development for Textiles

Survey of small‐scale flame spread test results of modern fabrics

Flammability and flame spread behavior of common fuels in Chinese historical buildings: An experimental research

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