Study of the Combustion Characteristics and Flame Retardant Assessment of Windows in Buildings

With the increasing size and density of domestic buildings, the spread of fire from one building to adjacent ones has become a significant concern, leading to greater fire damage. The openings in these buildings have been identified as the main cause of horizontal and vertical fire diffusion, as flames repeatedly enter adjacent compartments. In this study, we focused on buildings with a high fire risk by conducting a fire risk assessment of existing structures. Commercial facilities (such as accommodation facilities) and industrial facilities (including warehouses and factories) were classified as buildings with a relatively high risk. We specifically selected PVC and AL windows, which are commonly used in buildings, to evaluate the risk of fire spread based on flame retardant assessment. However, during a fire, the exposed cross-section and quality of windows differ, making it inappropriate to evaluate their fire risk using the currently regulated flame retardant assessment test. Therefore, there is a need to establish methods and standards for flame retardant assessment tests that are specifically designed for windows.