Investigation of toxicity parameters of combustion products of upholstered furniture elements

Introduction. Upholstered furniture occupies quite a significant area of the premises of many public buildings. During its combustion, mixtures of toxic gases can be formed, the quantitative and qualitative composition of which is unknown. Therefore, obtaining experimental data on the toxicity of upholstered furniture is an urgent task.

Goals and objectives. Experimental determination of flammability and toxicity parameters of combustion pro­ducts of upholstered furniture elements necessary for calculation of the time of blocking of evacuation routes in buildings.

To achieve this, experimental studies of specimens of upholstered furniture elements were carried out on standard installations, as well as on the installation for determining the fire hazard of condensed substances and materials.

Research methods. Standard methods for determining the flammability of decorative fabrics (GOST R 50810–95), the flammability of upholstered furniture elements (GOST R 53294–2009), the toxicity index of combustion pro­ducts (GOST 12.1.044.89, paragraph 4.20) and the method for assessing toxic gas concentrations at a small-scale experimental installation to determine the fire hazard of condensed substances and materials were used.

Research results and their discussion. The determination of flammability of materials and compositions of upholstered furniture products, as well as the assessment of the toxicity of the gaseous atmosphere during their thermal decomposition in a small-scale experimental installation allowing the measurement of concentrations of toxic gases, were performed. Experimental studies were carried out to study the toxicity parameters of the most dangerous gases formed during the combustion of a number of specimens of upholstered furniture elements.
It was revealed that during the combustion of upholstered furniture elements, such highly toxic gases as hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide are emitted in concentrations dangerous to human life and health.

Conclusions. New experimental data on specific mass rate of burnout velocity, as well as numerical values of specific coefficients of carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide formation of upholstered furniture elements have been obtained, which will allow to expand the existing database of typical fire load in building premises.

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