Full-scale Experimental Study on Vertical Fire Spread Characteristics of Different Organic Insulation Systems

Abstract

In this study, a series of full-scale experiments were carried out to study the vertical fire spread characteristics of EPS, PIR and PF insulation systems. The fire development process and the vertical temperature distribution of the main wall are analyzed. Results show that PIR and PF do not shrink and melt like EPS under fire conditions, but carbonization appears on the surface and form carbonized cracks. In the PIR carbonization crack, a strip-shaped combustion flame appears. But the PF does not show a burning flame at the carbonization crack, and the flame height is only half of the height of the main wall, and no combustion occurs in the auxiliary wall. Overall, the PF insulation system is superior to the PIR insulation system in overall fire resistance, and the EPS insulation system has the worst fire performance.