MATERIALS: Objective: understanding the behaviour of materials when exposed to fire F.Corsanego 2 Materials properties: combustion speed. Furniture, fittings Decorations, panels, etc. (permanent or temporary, ie: associated to celebrations) Construction materials F.Corsanego 3 Typical accident chain: A cigarette ignites a sofa A flashover may follow a few minutes Its very quick, even if smoke detection raises the alarm Most victims are found in the room at the origin of the fire EDMS No SEE template for presentations 4 Exemple: small flame(cigarette) on an upholstered furniture. First cause of fire mortality: Sofa fire flashover Sofa ikea comparison Upholstering foam is also known as solid gasoline amongs the fire brigade people High-speed propagation example: upholstered sofa CUT Effect of cuts and damage on sofas Even if a manufact is certified (DIN classe B2), surface damages can completely void its performance (ref. CERN Test EDMS ) F.Corsanego 5 4 min Trash container fires F.Corsanego 6 Fire test made at Warrington Fire Research Centre Waste bins (video) (Example of price enquiry on google -2010) Avoid large plastic garbage containers Assure frequent removal of garbage and residuals of operations F.Corsanego 7 A steel garbage bin after a fire Real fire accident cases Many dramatic accidents have occurred in public places, essentially due to poor materials choice associated to other aggrievating factors: 4 th Dec 2009 Perm (RU) Lame horse discotheque fire (156 victimSs) 4 th Dec 2009 Perm (RU) Lame horse discotheque fire 20 th Feb Station Club Rhode Island US (96 victims) 20 th Feb Station Club Rhode Island US F.Corsanego 8 The accident dynamic is very often the same: F.Corsanego 9 Ignition for whatever reason Fire spreads quickly on walls and ceiling A flash-over (ignition of all materials) ensues in 2-3 minutes Be attentive(and report to HSE) in occasion of installation of new materials F.Corsanego 10 F.Corsanego 11 F.Corsanego 12 F.Corsanego 13 Also external decorations and faades shall comply to strict fire propagation requirements Materials properties At CERN all materials containing PVC or other halogens fire retardants are forbidden. EUROCLASSES for construction materials (A F) (Commission decision (2000/147/CE) of 8th February 2000) Only hard-to ignite no-flashover classes A and B are fully acceptable Class C has limitations D, E are not authorised Class C room fire Euroclass C room test vs Class A F.Corsanego 15 Constructions materials, panels, insulation panels, furniture, curtains, etc. If you are asked for advice -> adress the request to HSE Materials have to respond to fire rating classes F.Corsanego 16 FERMACELL (~ 10Euro / m) Also used to create fire walls Installed as normal gypsum board, on light steel rails F.Corsanego 17 F.Corsanego 18 Wood in thickness (> 18 mm) is tolerated, but not everywhere. Excluded from public buildings, technical rooms and areas where combustibles cant be stored)