Progress 07/23/07 to 07/23/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Wood-plastic composites (WPC) are widely available for some building applications. In applications such as outdoor decking, WPCs have gained a significant share of the market. As part of efforts to address fire concerns in wildland-urban interface, researchers have been examining the fire performance of WPC. Interest in the fire performance of WPC is reflected in their status as the material with the highest number of downloads from the FPL database of heat release rate data http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/products/products/cone/introduction.php. Researchers in collaboration with international visiting scientists from Turkey evaluated fire retardant treatments for WPC. The rate of heat release due to combustion is an important parameter in the ability of a burning material to spread rapidly and contribute to the intensity of a fire. Studies showed that increasing the wood fiber content in the WPC significantly improved the fire performance over that of the plastic alone. Adding fire retardant chemicals, particularly ammonium polyphosphate, were shown to be effective in improving the fire performance. Cone calorimetry has become the preeminent fire test method for developing wood-based products. Evaluations of cone calorimeter tests are documented in Chapter 6: Thermal Properties, Combustion, and Fire Retardancy of Wood in the recently reissued Handbook of Wood Chemistry and Wood Composites. For this handbook, standard tests were sufficient to determine the benefits of common fire retardant treatments, whereas innovative and nonstandard testing that involves hardware and gas analysis upgrades were needed for special fire retardancy situations. In collaboration with researchers from the Hamburg University of Germany, a commercial fire retardant treated (FRT) intumescent veneer adhered to both surfaces of an innovative expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam core particleboard was found to significantly reduce the heat release rate profile while exposed to 50 kW/m2 irradiance with piloted ignition to predict a Class A fire performance. Advanced gas analysis along with thermocouples embedded at various depths within the sample was also used to explain how the improved fire performance was achieved. Termination Report--As a result of fire tests on finger-jointed lumber assemblies, the American Lumber Standard Committee added elevated-temperature requirements for labeling finger-jointed lumber. Extensive research was conducted to develop fire performance data on new decking products, including new treatments, engineered composites and imported wood species, affirming the continued need for performance data of new building products as they are brought to market. A comprehensive database of cone calorimetry data has been compiled and has become one of the most frequent downloads from the Forest Products Laboratory website. PARTICIPANTS: Department of Housing and Urban Development Oakridge National Laboratory Department of Energy National Institute of Standards and Technology Bureau of Land Management Federal Highway Administration National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration ARS Southern Regional Research Center Natural Resources Conservation Service Northeast Lumberman⿿s Association American Plywood Association Western Wood Preservers' Institute Western Wood Products Association Composite Panel Association American Wood Protection Association Southern Forest Products Association National Institute for Standards and Testing Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association Canadian Wood Council Forest Products Society ISO Technical Committee TC 92 ASTM International American Forest & Paper Association American Wood Council Coalition for Advanced Wood Structures International Union of Forest Research Organizations National Association of Home Builders Research Center National and International Universities and Research Institutions TARGET AUDIENCES: Consumers, contractors, Government agencies, universities, industry, and standards associations
Impacts
Wood composites made with highly flammable plastics are increasingly being used in a wide range of applications. Such applications include decking boards and other exterior products around homes in the wildland-urban interface. Tests have shown that fire retardant treatments can reduce the potential contribution of the wood-plastic composites to a fire. Fire retardant treatment of innovative structural insulated panels shown to improve the fire performance of new products can address fire concerns in wildland-urban interface.
Publications
- Chen, Z.; White, R. H.; Cai, Z.; Fu, F. 2012. Cone calorimeter evaluation of untreated and FRT wood composites for floor applications. In: Osvald, Anton, ed. Proceedings of the 7th International Scientific Conference Wood and Fire Safety. 2012 May 13-16. Slovakia, pp. 79-88.
- Dietenberger, Mark A.; Shalbafan, Ali; Welling, Johannes; Boardman, Charles. 2012. Cone calorimeter analysis of FRT intumescent and untreated foam core particleboards. NATAS, North American Thermas Analysis Society, Technical program of the 40th North American Thermal Society Conference, 2012 August 12-15, Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa Orlando, FL. CD paper 203.
- Dietenberger, Mark. 2012. Pyrolysis kinetics and combustion of thin wood by an advanced cone caorimetry test method. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry DOI 10.1007/s10973-012-2474-4 http://www.springerlink.com/content/4066h05827080940/fulltext.pdf.
- Grexa, Ondrej; Dietenberger, Mark A.; White, Robert H. 2012. Reaction-to-fire of wood products and other building materials: Part 1, Room/corner test performance. USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Research Paper FPL-RP-663, 2012.
- Rowell, Roger M.; Dietenberger, Mark A. 2013. Thermal properties, combustion, and fire retardancy of wood. Chapter 6. In: Second edition of the Handbood of Wood Chemistry and Wood Composites, Roger Rowell, Editor, by CRC Books, 2013.
- White, Robert H.; Nam, Sunghyun; Parikh, Dharnidhar V. 2012. Cone calorimeter evaluation of two flame retardant cotton fabrics. Fire and Materials Journal; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI: 10.1002/fam.2111
- Ayrilmis, Nadir; Jarusombuti, Songklod; Fueangvivat, Vallayuth; Bauchongkol, Piyawade; White, Robert H. 2011. Coir fiber reinforced polypropylene composite panel for automotive interior applications. Fibers and Polymers 12(7): 919-926.
- Akbulut, Turgay; Ayrilmis, Nadir; Dundar, Turker; Durmus, Ali; White, Robert H.; Teker, Murat 2011. Effect of boron and phosphate compounds on thermal and fire properties of wood/HDPE composites. International Journal of polymers and Technologies 3(2): 67-75.
- Ayrilmis, Nadir; Akbulut, Turgay; Dundar, Turker; White, Robert H.; Mengeloglu, Fatih; Buyuksari, Umit; Candan, Zeki; Avci, Erkan. 2012. Effect of boron and phosphate compounds on physical, mechanical, and fire properties of wood-polypropylene composites. Construction and Building Materials 33: 63-69. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.01.013.
- Ayrilmis, Nadir; Akbulut, Turgay; Dundar, Turker; White, Robert H.; Mengeloglu, Fatih; Candan, Zeki; Buyuksari, Umit; Avci, Erkan; 2011. Effect of boron compounds on physical, mechanical, and fire properties of injection molded wood plastic composites. In: Proceedings of the 11th international conference on wood and biofiber plastic composites & nanotechnology in wood composites symposium, 2011 May 16-17, Madison, WI. Madison, WI : Forest Products Society, 2011: 21 p. [1 flash drive]
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Progress 07/23/07 to 07/23/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project is complete. PARTICIPANTS: This project is complete. TARGET AUDIENCES: This project is complete. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: This project is complete.
Impacts
This project is complete.
Publications
- Clausen, Carol A.; Yang, Vina W. 2011. A rapid colorimetric assay for mold spore germination using XTT tetrazolium salt. IRG/WP ; 11-20462. Stockholm, Sweden : IRG Secretariat, 2011: [11] p.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The flammability of wood plastic composites (WPC) can be a significant factor in certain building applications. Through ongoing collaborative research between Istanbul University and FPL scientists, several manuscripts have been published on the physical, mechanical, and fire performance properties of WPC incorporated with various fire retardants. WPC incorporated with zinc borate gave the best overall performance in physical and mechanical properties. Higher levels of wood flour content resulted in significantly improved fire performance. Fire research has addressed the need for biomass reduction methods as a means to improve forest health and prevent catastrophic wild fires. First, improvements in pyrolysis kinetics were made possible through a combination of mathematical modeling and modifications to the cone calorimeter. Through this approach, fundamental knowledge about pyrolysis kinetics of extractives, holocellulose, and lignin from solid wood were made possible over the entire heating regime. Second, a U.S. patent was issued for a novel method and apparatus to produce synthesis gas from woody biomass via flash pyrolysis and gasification. This unique process utilizes molten metal to yield high quality synthesis gas from solid biomass. A prototype apparatus and proof of concept are nearing completion. Third, in collaboration with FPL economists, a business model has been developed for the biomass gasification process that integrates biomass gasification business concepts over a range of production scales and process options, including process models and a cash-flow model. This business model can be used to evaluate the economic feasibility of any biomass-to-liquid-fuel concept.
Impacts
An increased presence in the marketplace for engineered structural composite products, including wood plastic composites, has resulted in efforts to restrict or regulate their use through prescriptive local or state regulations because of concerns about fire performance. The trend toward performance-based codes creates a new demand for improved material properties, including direct physical protection, treatment with fire retardants, and/or computer fire models. An estimated 8.4 billion dry tons of biomass from our National forests is available for production of bioenergy. Developing economical, high-yield methods to produce transportation fuel from wood will simultaneously reduce the fuel load for wildland fires and our dependence on fossil fuels.
Publications
- Ayrilmis, Nadir; Benthien, Jan T.; Thoemen, Heiko; White, Robert 2011. Effects of fire retardants on physical, mechanical, and fire properties of flat-pressed WPCs. European Journal of Wood and Wood Products. D01 10.1007/s00107-011-0541-3. Published online: 06 April 2011, Springer-Verlag.
- Ayrilmis, Nadir; Benthien, Jan. T.; Thoemen, Heiko; White, Robert 2011. Properties of flat-pressed wood plastic composites containing fire retardants. Journal of Applied Polymer Science: 3201-3210. Published online: 8 July 2011. DOI: 10.1002/app.34346.
- Dietenberger, Mark 2011. Pyrolysis kinetics and combustion of thin wood using advanced cone calorimetry. In: Proceedings, 39th annual conference of North American thermal analysis society (NATAS). 2011 August 7-10. Des Moines, IA. 12 p.
- White, Robert H.; Stark, Nicole M.; Ayrilmis, Nadir. 2011. Recent activities in flame retardancy of wood-plastic composites at the Forest Products Laboratory. In: 22nd Annual conference on recent advances in flame retardancy of polymeric materials. 2011 May 23-25; Stamford, CT. 248-259. ISBN 1-59623-619-1.
- Dietenberger, Mark A. 2011. Using modified cone calorimeter to determine heat/moisture transport properties and pyrolysis/combustion properties of wood-based materials for use in CFD models. Fire and materials 2011 [electronic resource]: 12th international conference: 31st January-2nd February 2011. San Francisco, USA. London, UK: Interscience Communications, c2011. [1 CD-ROM]: [13] p.
- Dietenberger, Mark; Anderson, M.H. 2011. Method and apparatus to protect synthesis gas via flash pyrolysis and gasification in a molten liquid. United States Patent #7,875,090 B2. Jan. 25, 2011.
- Ince, Peter J.; Bilek, Edward M. (Ted); Dietenberger, Mark A. 2011. Modeling integrated biomass gasification business concepts. Research paper FPL-RP-660. Madison, WI : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, 2011: 36 p.
- Simkovic, Ivan; Fuller, Anne; White, Robert 2011. Flammability studies of impregnated paper sheets. Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry. Published online: 5 June 2011. DOI 10.1007/s10973-011-1690-7.
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Scientists working in the problem area were solicited to write Fire safety of wood construction, a chapter in the Centennial edition of the Wood Handbook. A review of 10 decades of flame retardancy testing at the Forest Products Laboratory was published. This publication highlights equipment developments during the 1950's and fundamental research on thermal analyses during the 1960's. FPL first promoted heat release rate as a measure of relative flammability, played a critical role in defining the combustion properties of wood products, and facilitated the development of new fire-retardant-treated wood products. A study on fire performance and decay resistance of wood treated with several fire retardants showed that heat release rates of wood treated with common fire retardants were lower than those treated with quaternary ammonium compounds. Decay resistance is also poor in specimens treated with common fire retardants compared to those treated with quaternary ammonium compounds. The other emphasis in this problem area is that of mitigation in the wildland-urban interface (WUI). Landscaping with suitably fire-resistant vegetation in the WUI makes a significant difference in the time to ignition and rate of flame spread to nearby structures. No standards or test procedures exist to evaluate plant flammability. Using oxygen consumption calorimetry to measure heat release during combustion of vegetation is an improvement over thermal analyses, although this method can be expensive and translating laboratory results to field conditions can be problematic. Using bench-scale and mid-scale fire tests to obtain flammability properties of common building constructions and landscaping plants, a model is being developed to predict ignition and flame growth in various fire scenarios. To address the National Advanced Energy Initiative, we are investigating efficient wood gasification via high temperature using liquid metal as a carrier fluid. Bench-scale flash pyrolysis tests are complete, temperature and pressure parameters have been optimized, and prototype testing is underway.
Impacts
While engineered structural composite products provide efficient structural performance and wood utilization, their increased presence in the marketplace has resulted in efforts to restrict or regulate their use through prescriptive local or state regulations because of concerns about fire performance. The trend toward performance-based codes creates a new demand for improved material properties, including direct physical protection and treatment with fire retardants, and computer fire models. With continued increased urbanization of the countryside and high incidences of forest fires, fire safety of our homes in the wildland urban interface (WUI) is a major problem nationwide. The number of homes simultaneously involved in a single WUI fire makes the survival of any one structure largely dependent on prior efforts of the homeowner to improve the survivability of their own home via local vegetation control, selection of fire-resistant landscaping vegetation, and proper building construction. Guidelines need to be established for homeowners concerning the use of materials and designs for decking, exterior siding, and roofs, as well as placement of ornamental plants in the vicinity of a structure. An estimated 8.4 billion dry tons of biomass from our National Forests is available for production of bioenergy. Researchers are developing an innovative flash pyrolysis technique for high-yield syngas production with reduced char formation. Developing high-yield methods to produce transportation fuel from wood will simultaneously reduce the fuel load for wildland fires and our dependence on fossil fuels.
Publications
- Dietenberger, Mark 2010. Ignition and flame-growth modeling on realistic building and landscape objects in changing environments. International Journal of Wildland Fire 19: 228-237..
- Dietenberger, Mark 2010. Using modified cone calorimeter to determine heat/moisture transport properties and pyrolysis/combustion properties of wood-based materials for use in CFD models [Abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 38th North American thermal analysis society conference. 2010 August 15-18; Philadelphia, PA.
- Stark, Nicole M.; Mueller, Scott A.; White, Robert H.; Osswald, Tim A. 2010. Effect of fire retardants on heat release rate of wood flour-polyethylene composites. In: Proceedings of the 10th international conference on wood & biofiber plastic composites and cellulose nanocomposites symposium. 2009 May 11-13. Madison, WI. Madison, WI: Forest Products Society. c2010: 103-109: ISBN: 9781892529558: 1892529556.
- Stark, Nicole M.; White, Robert H.; Mueller, Scott A.; Osswald, Tim A. 2010. Evaluation of various fire retardants for use in wood flour--polyethylene composites. Polymer Degradation and Stability. 95: 1903-1910.
- Terzi, Evren; Kartal, S. Nami; White, Robert; Shinoda, Katsumi ; Imamura, Yuji. 2010. Fire performance and decay resistance of solid wood and plywood treated with quaternary ammonia compounds and common fire retardants. European Journal of Wood Products. DOI 10.1007/s00107-009-0395-0. Springer-Verlag 2009.
- White, Robert 2010. Ten decades of flame retardancy testing at the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory. In: Proceedings of the 21st annual conference on recent advances on flame retardancy of polymeric materials. 2010 May 24-26. p. 445-454.
- White, Robert H. 2009. Fire resistance of wood members with directly applied protection. Wood Design Focus 19(2): 13-19.
- White, Robert H.; Zipperer, Wayne C. 2010. Testing and classification of individual plants for fire behaviour: plant selection for the wildland-urban interface. International Journal of Wildland Fire 19: 213-227.
- White, Robert; Dietenberger, Mark 2010. Fire safety of wood construction. In: Wood Handbook: Wood as an engineering material. Gen. Tech. Rept FPL-GTR-190. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. Chapter 18. 22 p.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Society of Fire Protection Engineers solicited a revision for the fourth edition of the Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering on Analytical Methods for Determining Fire Resistance of Timber Members based on the expertise of unit scientists. There is no widely accepted methodology in the U.S. to determine the fire-resistance rating of an individual structural element with a protective membrane directly applied to the exposed surfaces. Tests were conducted in which one or two layers of fire-rated gypsum or plywood were applied as a protective membrane prior to tension testing in a horizontal furnace. We concluded that times of 30 minutes for a single layer of fire-rated gypsum and 60 minutes for a double layer of the same material can be added to the fire rating of an unprotected structural wood element to obtain the rating of a protected element. Four methods for accelerated weathering of fire-retardant-treated products involving UV and rain exposure scenarios were reviewed. It was concluded that any weathering under controlled laboratory testing conditions only provides relative measures of what may be seen in service. Available information suggests that improvements could be made to optimize leaching in terms of consumed water, test duration, degree of circulation, and availability of UV sunlamps specified in the standard. To address the National Advanced Energy Initiative, we are investigating efficient wood gasification via high temperature using liquid metal as a carrier fluid. Advances were made on bench-scale studies for direct contact molten metal biomass gasification and plans for an intermediate-scale prototype gasifier are under development. A collaborative effort with economics researchers resulted in development of a model for a biorefinery business concept that provides scenarios for investors to determine economic feasibility for gasification of wood biomass.
Impacts
The use of structural wood composite products in wood construction has been rapidly increasing. While engineered wood products provide efficient structural performance and wood utilization, their increased presence in the marketplace has resulted in efforts to restrict or regulate their use through prescriptive local or state regulations because of concerns about fire performance. The trend toward performance-based codes creates a new demand for improved material properties and computer fire models. With continued increased urbanization of the countryside and high incidences of forest fires, fire safety of our homes in the wildland urban interface (WUI) is a major problem nationwide. The number of homes simultaneously involved in a single WUI fire makes the survival of any one structure largely dependent on prior efforts of the homeowner to improve the survivability of their own homes via local vegetation control and proper building construction. Guidelines need to be established for homeowners concerning the use of materials and designs for decking, exterior siding, and roofs, as well as placement of ornamental plants in the vicinity of a structure. Separate processes for the production of hydrogen fuel and biomass-based synfuel are unlikely to be able to compete with coal-to-liquid synfuels, whereas synergistic biomass gasification with hydrogen enhancement for conversion to synfuel can eventually reach the competitive level of $1/gal diesel. Synergisms between hydrogen production and biomass gasification technologies will be necessary to avoid being marginalized in the biofuel marketplace.
Publications
- White, Robert H. 2008. Analytical methods for determining fire resistance of timber members. SFPE handbook of fire protection engineering. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, Bethesda, MD: Society of Fire Protection Engineers: 346-366. Chapter 13.
- White, Robert H. 2009. Accelerated weathering of fire-retardant-treated wood for fire testing. Proceedings of the 20th annual conference on recent advances in flame retardancy of polymeric materials. BCC Research, Wellesley, MA: 246-256.
- White, Robert H. 2009. Fire resistance of wood members with directly applied protection. Fire and materials, 2009 [electronic resource] : 11th International Conference and Exhibition, 2009 January 26-28, Fisherman''s Wharf, San Francisco, USA. London: Interscience Communications Ltd.: 492-503.
- White, Robert H.; Forsman, John; Erickson, John R. 2008. Aspen flakeboard treated with disodium octaborate tetrahydrate. Proceedings of the 19th annual conference on recent advances in flame retardancy of polymeric materials. Norwalk, CT : BCC Research: 238-249.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A series of cone calorimeter tests evaluated the performance of wood-based decking materials, including preservative-treated wood, wood-plastic composites (WPC), and imported wood species. Test results for preservative-treated material were consistent with untreated southern pine lumber, while durable wood species demonstrated a range of heat release consistent for Class B or Class C Flame Spread Index (FSI) ratings. The heat release curve for WPC gave an early peak followed by decreasing heat release. Oriented strandboard panels treated with varying levels of fire retardant (FR) were evaluated for fire performance and physical properties. Results showed that FR-treated strandboard had higher internal bond strength and lower flexural strength than matched untreated control panels. A Class B FSI was achieved near 10% FR-loading. Using bench-scale and mid-scale fire tests to obtain fire growth properties on common building construction and landscape plants, a model is being developed to use fast predictive methods suitable for changing environmental conditions surrounding structures and associated ornamental plants. The analytical model has the ability to respond to environmental changes in wind, temperature, humidity, light, and wildfire sources of heat and embers. A visionary view of the future of U.S. biofuel was documented in a case model for hydrogen-enriched biomass gasification. We are investigating efficient wood gasification via high temperature using liquid metal as a carrier fluid.
Impacts
The use of structural wood composite products in wood construction has been rapidly increasing. While engineered wood products provide efficient structural performance and wood utilization, their increased presence in the marketplace has resulted in efforts to restrict or regulate their use through prescriptive local or state regulations because of concerns about fire performance. The trend toward performance-based codes creates a new demand for improved material properties and computer fire models. With continued increased urbanization of the countryside and high incidences of forest fires, fire safety of our homes in the wild-land urban interface (WUI) is a major problem nationwide. The number of homes simultaneously involved in a single WUI fire makes the survival of any one structure largely dependent on prior efforts of the homeowner to improve the survivability of their own home via local vegetation control and proper building construction. Guidelines need to be established for homeowners concerning the use of materials and designs for decking, exterior siding, and roofs, as well as placement of ornamental plants in the vicinity of a structure. Separate processes for the production of hydrogen fuel and biomass-based synfuel are unlikely to be able to compete with coal-to-liquid synfules, whereas synergistic biomass gasification with hydrogen enhancement for conversion to synfuel can eventually reach the competitive level of $1/gal diesel. Synergisms between hydrogen production and biomass gasification technologies will be necessary to avoid being marginalized in the biofuel marketplace.
Publications
- Winandy, Jerrold; Wang, Qingwen; White, Robert H. 2008. Fire-retardant-treated strandboard : properties and fire performance. Wood and Fiber Science 40(1): 62-71.
- White, Robert H.; Dietenberger, Mark A.; Stark, Nicole M. 2007. Cone calorimeter tests of wood-based decking materials. In: Lewin, Manachem, Ed. Proceedings of the 18th annual conference on recent advances in flame retardancy of polymeric materials. 2007 May 20-23; Stamford, CT. Norwalk, CT: BCC Research. II: 326-337. c2007: ISBN: 1596232218: 9781596232211.
- Dietenberger, Mark A.; Anderson, Mark 2007. Vision of the U.S. biofuel future: a case for hydrogen-enriched biomass gasification. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 46(26): 8863-8874.
- Dietenberger, Mark A. 2007. Ignition and flame travel on realistic building and landscape objects in changing environments. In: Butler, Bret W.; Cook, Wayne, comps. The fire environment--innovations, management, and policy; conference proceedings. 2007 26-30 March; Destin, FL. Proceedings RMRS-P-46CD. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. CD-ROM. p. 97-109.
- Winandy, Jerry; White, Robert; Wang, Qinwen. 2007. Characterization of fire and structural performance and fire-retardant treated oriented strand board [Abstract]. In: McCown, Colin; Williams, Beth, Eds. Proceedings one hundred third annual meeting of the American Wood Protection Association. 2007 May 6-8; St. Louis, MO. Birmingham, AL: American Wood Protection Association. 103:108.
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
A series of cone calorimeter tests evaluated the performance of several composite rim board materials, including three oriented strandboard (OSB) products, a com-ply product, a laminated veneer lumber product, plywood, and lumber. Although initial behavior was similar for all test specimens, the 300-s average heat release rates of the three OSB products were higher than those of the other products. A publication on fire containment discusses the role of construction details at the intersection of rated assemblies and unrated assemblies in ensuring that the fire resistance of the rated assembly is maintained. In cases of fire in the wildland-urban interface, failure to protect penetrations and other gaps in the protective membrane can allow burning brands to enter the interior and concealed spaces, thereby igniting combustibles not exposed to the outside of the structure. Combustion characteristics of northeastern U.S. native and invasive vegetation revealed that heat
content of twigs and foliage interrelates with other factors that affect fire behavior, yet the cone calorimeter results enabled comparison of combustion properties among many species. These data have potential application as improved inputs for fire behavior modeling. An analytical model of fire growth was extended to predict ignition and fire growth on exterior fire-resistive structures and ornamental vegetation. The improved model accommodates changing environmental conditions. Cone calorimeter data for fire-resistive materials were used to validate the model.
Impacts
The use of structural wood composite products in wood construction has been rapidly increasing. While engineered wood products provide efficient structural performance and wood utilization, their increased presence in the marketplace has resulted in efforts to restrict or regulate their use through prescriptive local or state regulations because of concerns about fire performance. The trend toward performance-based codes creates a new demand for improved material properties and computer fire models. With continued increased urbanization of the countryside and high incidences of forest fires, fire safety of our homes in the wildland urban interface (WUI) is a major problem nationwide. The number of homes simultaneously involved in a single WUI fire makes the survival of any one structure largely dependent on prior efforts of the homeowner to improve the survivability of their own home via local vegetation control and proper building construction. Guidelines need to be
established for homeowners concerning the use of materials and designs for decking, exterior siding, and roofs, as well as placement of ornamental plants in the vicinity of a structure.
Publications
- Dietenberger, M.A. 2006. Analytical modeling of fire growth on fire-resistive wood-based materials with changing conditions. In: Proceedings of the conference on recent advances in flame retardancy of polymeric materials, Volume XVII: Applications, research and industrial development markets; 2006 August: Norwalk, CT: 13-24. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf2006/fpl_2006_dietenberger002.pd f
- McPherson, G.; Fites, J.A.; Dietenberger, M.; Kennedy, J.; Quarles, S. 2006. Firesafe buildings and landscapes: New research and tools for fire prevention [Abstract]. In: 3rd international fire ecology & management congress; 2006 November 13-17: San Diego, CA: 59.
- White, Robert H.; Winandy, J.E. 2006. Fire performance of oriented strandboard. In: Proceedings of the conference on recent advances in flame retardancy of polymeric materials, Volume XVII: Applications, research and industrial development markets; 2006 August: Norwalk, CT: 206-309. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf2006/fpl_2006_white001.pdf
- Forest Products Laboratory. 2006. Fire research for safe and durable wood structures at the Forest Products Laboratory. Madison, WI: Forest Products Laboratory: 8 p. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/rwu4725/fpl-fire-research-for-safe-durable-w ood-structures.pdf.
- Zipperer, W.C.; White, R. H. 2007. Testing and classification of individual plants for fire behavior [Abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2nd fire behavior and fuels conference; 2007 March 26-30: Destin , FL: 83.
- White, R.H.; Sumathiapala, K. 2007. Fire containment in wood construction does not just happen. In: Proceedings, Wood Protection 2006, Barnes, H. Michael, ed.; 2006 March 21-23: New Orleans, LA. Forest Products Society: Madison, WI: 67-75. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf2007/fpl_2007_white001.pdf
- Dibble, A.C.; White, R.H.; Lebow, P.K. 2007. Combustion characteristics of northeastern USA vegetation tested in the cone calorimeter: Invasive versus noninvasive plants. International Journal of Wildland Fire 16(4): 426-443.
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