How is Smoke Studied?

For the year-long Smoke Characterization Project, researchers selected 23 synthetic and natural materials commonly found in homes, and burned them, alone and in various combinations.

Two types of burning were used at Underwriters Laboratories (UL): flaming and non-flaming. The flaming fires were started with an open flame source that resembles a Bunsen burner. The non-flaming, or smoldering, process was achieved with a hot metal plate.

UL funded more than 70 percent of the $700,000 investment to conduct the study and secure the latest scientific measurement equipment. With this advanced technological capability, UL's fire science experts were able to investigate the chemical and physical properties of smoke at a new level of sophistication.

Researchers were particularly interested in:

• Gases released
• Particle sizes released
• Heat generated
• Velocity of the plume
• Changing weight of the burning material
• Maximum heat release
• Maximum smoke release

Lumped together, these data create a distinct, if not unique signature of smoke released from various burning materials. With this information, UL plans to:

• Offer the data to smoke alarm manufacturers. With it, smoke alarm technology might be updated and smoke detection improved.
• Educate the public about the potential fire danger of synthetic furnishings like nylon, acrylic, polyester and plastic, which burn hotter and faster than natural fibers such as cotton, linen, silk and wool.
• Refine the rules about where to place smoke alarms based how different types of smoke move around and fill a room.

Source: Underwriters Laboratories