A study on the Combustion Characteristics of Wall Paper

Combustion characteristics and toxicity of combustion gas of wallpaper samples were analyzed to evaluate the fire risk of wallpaper furnished in living space. In this study ash residue ratio was measured with high temperature electric furnace, and thermal analysis was carried out with TGA. Combustion time and smoke concentration were measured with cone heater and combustion gas analyzer. Smoke density of samples was measured using smoke chamber of ASTM E 662. The experimental results were showed as followings. Pyrolysis of silk wallpaper started at lower temperature compared to the other samples. It means that the silk wallpaper can be ignited at low heat flux and will have more fire risk than the others. Ignition time by radiation heat flux of silk wallpaper is shorter compared to the other samples, so evacuation time must be reduced. In the case of vinyl coated silk wall paper, carbon mono oxide concentration is the highest and the toxicity and damage effect to consciousness was stronger compared to the other samples. Smoke density of silk wall paper and fire retardant mixed coated silk wall paper were very high due to vinyl coating.