LABORATORY STUDY OF IGNITION OF HOST MATERIALS BY FIREBRANDS.

Abstract : The study is directed at examining, on a laboratory scale, the susceptibility of interior and exterior host materials to ignitions by various firebrands. Eight types of firebrands typical of those produced by common roofing materials were manufactured in the laboratory for use in the study. Evaluations are then made of the abilities of these firebrands to ignite a variety of host materials which might be present in an urban area. The effects of ambient wind, supporting thermal radiation and blast damage were considered. An analysis is also performed to evaluate the effects of firebrands on firespread in three different use-class areas in Albuquerque and San Jose. (Author)