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Design of a test bench to evaluate flame propagation under controlled flow conditions

Abstract:

The present project was developed with the purpose of allowing the evaluation of the behavior of construction materials, when a flame is propagated during combustion. To fulfill this objective, a test bench was designed to verify these materials under the conditions of a controlled environment. The methodology to be followed was to select the different components that integrate the test bench, through experimental tests and analysis by simulation with a computer program. The main components that make up the test bench are: axial fan, turbulence reducing device (honeycomb), protective meshes, voltage regulator and the sample holder. And the test materials that were part of this project included: PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylate); woods and derivatives; polypropylene and polyurethane (elastomer), to be evaluated through a simulation and verify that they meet the limitations of our test bench, such as the maximum working temperature inside the test chamber and the rate of heat released. The taking of data and measurements of the flammability of the material by means of a fire propagation device are under the ASTM 2058 standard. As a result, the maximum glass surface temperature is 275 °C, and the air flow velocity is obtained as 0.26 m/s. The sizing of the equipment was carried out to allow testing on samples 12 cm wide, 30 cm long and 10 - 25 mm thick. Once the design of the test bench was completed, it was determined that the required workspace is 0.87 x 1.08 m and a height of 1.24 m.