The cone calorimeter is a very popular fire testing device that can provide important combustion properties of fuel and can reproduce realistic fire conditions. While this is not the only feature that the device can measure, one of the most important measurements that can be made during the experiments is the Heat Release Rate (HRR), which is a key parameter in evaluating the possible danger of a fire. The HRR may range up to 1,000 kW for various materials, indicating material behavior upon combustion under limited thermal inputs. This feature aids in estimating how much heat is produced when a certain material burns, and this is a directly related factor that affects the spread of fire, fire intensity, and survivability of nearby buildings.
Along with HRR, the Cone Calorimeter also measures Time to Ignition (TTI) defined as the time taken for a material to ignite when exposed to a constant heat source. This rating allows industries to determine the flammability of materials used in construction, automotive, aerospace and other sectors. For example, a material with short TTI is perceived as more dangerous in practical cases than material with long TTI.
It also features the ability to approximate Smoke Production Rate (SPR). Combustible materials with higher volumes of smoke production upon combustion can pose substantial risk because smoke inhalation is a leading cause of death in fires. The SPR is determined immediately using a Cone Calorimeter, which analyzes smoke as it is produced; this allows manufacturers to make less harmful material choices in places accessible to the public.
In addition, the device utilizes CO2 emissions and Total Heat Release (THR) data to provide researchers and engineers insight into the total energy output compounds can produce in a fire event. Total heat release can be used to model fire growth characteristics, as well as the impact that fire can have on the larger environment, from flame spread to depletion of oxygen in the environment.
Cone Calorimeter testing data is the basis of fire safety standards, and it is heavily relied upon by fire protection professionals and regulators. Materials are tested through this apparatus to ensure compliance in the building codes/ fire standards. For example, capitalizing on Cone Calorimeter tests in 2018, a leading provider of construction materials proved that its new insulation material greatly reduces fire hazards than that of the standard ones available.
The Cone Calorimeter provides detailed, real-time data, repeatability and accuracy in fire safety assessments. It is precisely this level of accuracy in fire testing that has made the Cone Calorimeter an essential component of the safety of materials we use every day. With industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, and transportation giving more and more weight to fire testing, the Cone Calorimeter continues to serve as an important metric for assessing the fire hazards presented by different materials.
Read more to discover the full range of options the Cone Calorimeter offers.