Fire performance under full scale test conditions— A state transition model

This paper concerns the measurement of fire performance under experimental fire conditions resembling actual fire conditions. A new method of analyzing and reporting the results of these experiments, a State Transition Model, is introduced. Distinct states are chosen for the analysis of fire growth experiments and their duration provides a new experimental data. Three pre-flashover states are defined as follows: J ≡The period of time from the beginning of the experiment to ignition of the specimen K ≡The period of time from ignition of the specimen until flames touch the ceiling, and L ≡The period of time from when the flames first touch the ceiling until full involvement (flashover) occurs. These states are components of the State Transition Model, and histograms and cumulative distribution functions (CDF) of the state durations then provide a graphical representation of fire performance. Examples are chosen to illustrate the method. Traditional cellulosic and cementitious walls and ceilings are compared to plastic materials in the same configuration.