The degree of flammability for an artificial grass surface system

Abstract

Abstract. The paper presents a general overview of sport and floor lining products, such as artificial grass, which are used in residential premises and public utility buildings, as well as the hazards which ensue from the use of synthetic grass [1]. An outline was made of the requirements for the fire safety of civil engineering structures arising from their designation and usage type. The results were presented from studies conducted on four samples of synthetic grass with the main ingredients being polyethylene and polypropylene. An appraisal method was determined for flammable properties and flame spread on a horizontal sample subjected to a heat radiation flux gradient in a research chamber pursuant to PN EN ISO 9239-1 [25] applicable for all types of floors. Based on the estimated value of critical heat radiation flux (KSP) below 3 kW/m 2 and in addition to the flammability of products directly subjected to a flame according to PN EN ISO 11925-2 [27], a study was made of the suitability of selected samples of artificial grass by their categorisation to class Efl -i.e. easily flammable products. The classification of artificial grass selected for the needs of the studies, which has been verified in practice, and designated for use as decoration for gazebos, balconies, terraces and public utility facilities is only admissible in residential premises of type ZL IV.

Design of a radiant panel test at reduced scale for the high throughput development of artificial turf structures

“…In that case, the test is performed without infill and most of the time, artificial turfs pass the test. 9…”

“…The behaviour of artificial turf structures at large-scale has been seldom reported in the literature. In 2018, Kukfisz 9 used the radiant panel test (EN ISO 9239-1) to determine the degree of flammability of turf systems used for landscaping in residential and public buildings but did not consider sports applications. On the contrary, even if some authors worked on the development of fire-retardant (FR) solutions for infills 5,10 or for turf fibres, 11 and despite the existence of commercial solutions, 12,13 the fire behaviour of such innovative materials is not reported, considering the radiant panel test due to the high amount of materials required to perform the experiment.…”