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Requirements in Canada for fire safety of combustible materials
n'~.
665
National Research Conseil nationalC .
2
1
*
Council Canada de recherches CanadaB
LDG
REQUIREMENTS IN CANADA FOR FIRE SAFETY
OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS
by K. Sumi
Reprinted, with permission, from Proceedings, International Symposium "Fire Safety of Combustible Materialsf1 University of Edinburgh, October 1975 p. 55 65
DBR Paper No. 665
Division of Building Research
L'auteur p a s s e e n revue lee organisations canadiennes qui sont surtout responsables de l a diffusion d e s r'eglements s u r l a sCcuritC incendie des rnat6riaux combustibles, ainsi que quelques-uns d e s rkglements en vigueur. I1 e s t ques- tion des mat6xiaux de construction utilisCs dans le b$timent, de llCquipement relatif au t r a n s p o r t ( m a r i t i m e , a#rien, f e r - r o v i a i r e , automobile e t mCtro), de llameublement e t des textiles. L'auteur examine egalement l a question de l a regulation d e s materiawc selon llinflammabilit&, l a p r o - ductionde fum6e e t l'&volutiondes produits de dCcomposition toxique s
.
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL O F CANADA DIVISION O F BUILDING RESEARCH
REQUIREMENTS IN CANADA FOR FIRE SAFETY O F COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS
K. S u m i
R e p r i n t e d , with p e r m i s s i o n , f r o m Proceedings'
International Symposium o n F i r e Safety of Combustible M a t e r i a l s held a t the University of Edinburgh, October 1975
University of Edinburgh C e n t r e f o r I n d u s t r i a l Consultancy and Liaieon Edinburgh
p. 55
-
65DBR P a p e r No. 665
OTTAWA F e b r u a r y 1976
REQUIREMENTS IN CANADA FOR FIRE SAFETY OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS Kikuo Sumi*
ABSTRACT
The organizations in Canada primarily responsible for promulgating regulations on fire safety of combustible materials and some of the regulations in force are reviewed. The paper deals with construction materials for buildings, transportation equipment (motor vehicle, marine, air, railway and subway), furnishings and textiles. The problem of
controlling materials on the bases of flammability, generation of smoke and evolution of toxic decomposition products is discussed.
Canada's record of life losses by fire is one of the worst in the world. International Fire Statistics, 1972, published by the National
Fire Protection Association (1) gives a figure of 29.2 deaths per million
population. Of the nations in the Western World that keep fire loss statistics, only the United States has a higher per capita death figure from fire. The monetary loss is also very high for Canada, but such
information is more difficult to compare on a country-by-country basis.
Fire authorities in Canada have long been aware of the nation's poor fire record and continue to exert every effort to minimize life and property
iosses.
One of the methods available for controlling fire losses is through restrictions on the use of combustible materials. Life and property
losses from fires could be reduced substantially from present levels by adoption of stringent fire regulations, but extreme changes in this direction are unlikely in the foreseeable future for a number of reasons associated with economic and aesthetic considerations, comfort, etc. Levels of safety such as those established by restricting materials
reflect, in the long term, the wishes of society. At the present time it is clear that society is not willing to stage an all-out effort against unwanted fires by completely sacrificing the benefits of materials that have the disadvantage of being combustible. Society's desire to decrease fire losses only by a gradual increase in restriction of combustible
materials is reflected in changes in fire regulations
-
in building codesfor construction materials and in fire prevention codes for furniture and furnishings. Regulations on fire safety of consumer goods and transpor- tation equipment such as motor vehicles, aircraft, ships, railways and subways are also gradually becoming more strict.
This paper describes very briefly the organizations in Canada primarily responsible for promulgating regulations on fire safety of combustible
Fire Research Section, Division of Building Research, National Research Council of Canada, Canada.
materials and some of the regulations currently in force. It is concerned with construction materials, furnishings and textiles; it will not deal with hazardous industrial materials covered in fire prevention codes, nor with the movement of hazardous cargoes that forms such an important part
of transportation fire safety.
ORGANIZATIONS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROMULGATING REGULATIONS ON FIRE SAFETY
National Research Council
The National Research Council, an agency of the Federal Government, sponsors committees responsible for the preparation of the National
Building Code of Canada (NBCC) (2) and the National Fire Code of Canada
(NFCC) (3). The NBCC contains requirements relating to the design and
construction of new buildings and to alterations and additions to existing building. The NFCC contains requirements that assist municipalities in the enactment of effective fire prevention by-laws. The two model codes are advisory documents developed to promote uniformity of building and fire safety regulations in Canada. They achieve legal status when adopted by provincial or municipal administrations.
Department of Consumer m d Corporate Affairs (4)
This is a federal department operating under the authority of the Hazardous Products Act, which came into force in 1969 in recognition of the need for protection of the health and safety of the consuming public. Flammability of materials is one of a number of aspects considered under its jurisdiction. Minimum safety standards can be established under the Act to ban the use of highly combustible materials for clothing, house furnishing, upholstered furniture, bedding and other articles. The Act prohibits the
advertising, sale and importation of consumer goods listed in Part I of
its schedule, and goods listed in Part I1 except as authorized by regula- tions. The responsibility for compliance with regulations under the Act lies with the retail merchant, but action taken against the retail merchant has repercussions for the manufacturer of the offending product and forces him to provide a product that complies with the legislation.
Ministry of Transport
The Federal Government, through its Ministry of Transport, is
responsible for fire safety in connection with motor vehicle, marine, air and railway transportation. Passenger cars,trucks and buses must meet the flammability requirements of the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which
was enacted in 1970 (5). The fire safety requirements of steamships are
described in Hull Construction Regulations, under the Canada Shipping Act (6). Aircraft interior materials are required to meet the flamma- bility standards of the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States or the equivalent regulations of the Civil Aviation Authority of
the United Kingdom
(7). There are no federal requirements in Canada dsaling with the use of combustible materials in railway cars and subwaysystems have flammability requirements
in
their purchase specifications (8, 9).REGULATION OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS National Building Code of Canada (NBCC)
The NBCC regulates fire safety through control of surface finish materials and size of "c~rnbustible~~ buildings. The requirements for surface finish materials based on ASTM E84(10) are applied throughout the Code to reduce the chance of rapid spread of fire. According to this test, a specimen 25 ft by 20 in. (7.62 m by 0.51 m) is positioned on the ceiling of a tunnel furnace; two gas burners deliver flames (adjusted so that the flames will travel along select-grade red oak for a distance of 19-1/2 ft (5.94 rn) in 5-1/2 min) at one end of the furnace against the surface of the specimen. Flame-spread classification is determined on a scale on which asbestos-cement board is zero and red oak is 100. Fuel contributed and maximum smoke developed are determined by means of the same reference standards.
The maximum flame-spread rating for interior finish of walls and ceilings specified in the NBCC is 150. This requirement applies to residential, business and personal services, mercantile and industrial occupancies. More stringent regulations apply to assembly and institu- tional occupancies, and critical areas such as exit stairs and public corridors.
There are two classifications of building in the NBCC:l~noncombustiblel' and "combustible" constructions. The Code is much more restrictive on the maximum allowable heights and areas of buildings of combustible construc- tion than on those of non-combustible construction. For example, with combustible construction the maximum allowable height for residential
( e . g . , hotels, apartments) and business and personal services (e.g.,
offices) occupancies is three storeys, with specified limits on floor
areas. If the building has automatic sprinkler protection, the permissible floor area is doubled but the limitation on height is the same. With non- combustible construction, a residential or business occupancy of any height or area is permitted provided the building plan meets all other pertinent requirements of the Code.
Non-combustible construction is defined in the NBCC as "the type of construction in which a degree of fire safety is attained by the use of non-combustible materials for structural members and other building
assemblies.ll Non-combustible material is further defined as conforming to CSA BS4.1-1972, "Determination of Non-Combustibility in Building
Materialst1 (1 1)
.
The non-combustibility test used in Canada is similar to tests adopted by other organizations such as the British Standards Institute and the American Society for Testing and Materials. It is a severe one that classifies as llnon-combustiblell a material that does not burn or is
practically as safe as an incombustible material because it has only a very small proportion of combustible content. A specimen 1.5 by 1.5 by 2 in.
(3.8 cm by 3.8 cm by 5.1 cm) is suspended vertically in a tubular furnace 57.
ktabilized at 750°C.
The
specimen is heated for 15 min or until it is evident that it does not pass the test. Materials are reported as non-combustible, if:(a) the maximum temperature rise in the furnace does not exceed 36
C
deg, (b) there is no flaming of the specimen after the first 30 sec, and(c) the maximum weight loss of the specimen does not exceed 20 per cent.
A limit was set on loss of weight of material so that certain low- density materials (for example, cellular plastics) that are burned almost completely in a test would not be classified as "non-combustible." With some of these materials flaming ceases in the first 30 sec and the
temperature rise does not exceed 36 C deg.
A number of exceptions are made in the NBCC concerning the use of combustible elements in non-combustible construction. Permitted combus- tible elements include:
(a) paint,
(b) tightly-adhering paper covering applied to non-combustible backing, provided the assembly has a flame-spread rating of 25 or less, (c) insulation and 'jackets on electric wiring,
(d) mastics and caulking materials, (e) wood furring strips,
(f) roof covering,
(g) adhesives, vapour barriers and sheathing papers,
(h) thermal and sou'nd insulation having a flame-spread rating of 25 or less on any exposed surface or not more than 100 when placed between two layers of non-combustible material without intervening air space, (i) millwork such as interior trims, doors and doorways,
(j) window sash and frame,
(k)
finished flooring,(1) stairs within a. dwelling unit,
(m) interior wall finishes having a flame-spread rating of 150 or less, and
(n) interior ceiling finishes having a flame-spread rating of 25-or less. Additional
requirements
further limit the interior finish of high buildings. They dea? with flame spread and maximum smoke developed classifications, primarily for wall, ceiling and floor of critical areas from the fire safety point of view. These areas include exit stairways, corridors, service spaces and elevator cars. Requirements for high buildings apply to those that are more than:(a) 120 ft (36.6 m) in height,
(b)
60 ft (18.3 m) ;in height with a high occupant load in relation to the width of exit stbirs,
(d) three storeys intended for patients in bed or for infirm persons. The flame spread and smoke developed classifications for walls
and
ceilings of high buildings are based on AS'IM E-84, according to which the specimen is mounted on the ceiling of the tunnel furnace. The test for flooring and floor covering materials is based on a Canadian standard, CSA B54.9-1972, which is a modifiedASTM E84 test with the specimen
positioned on the floor of the furnace (11).National Fire Code of Canada (NFCCI
The NFCC has requirements for controlling the use of some combustible items introduced into buildings; for example, movable partitions or screens, including acoustical screens, floor covering materials, decorative
materials and drapes and curtains. The requirements are as follows:
(a) Movable partitions: When tested according to ASTM E84, the material i shall have a flame-spread rating of 150 or less.
(b) Floor covering materials: When tested according to CGSB Standard 4-GP-2, Method 27.6, "Flammability-Methenamine Tablet Test for Textile Floor Coverings" the material shall meet the requirements of CGSB Standard 4-GP-129 (12).
(c) Drapes, curtains and other decorative textiles and films for specific occupancies and areas of buildings: When tested according to CGSB Standard 4-GP-2, Method 27.1, "Flame Resistance-Vertical Burning Test," the material shall meet the requirements for "high degree of flame resistancet1 (12). This regulation applies to drapes and
curtains used in assembly and institutional occupancies, certain open office landscape areas, lobbies and exit stairwells.
(d) Decorative materials used in places of public assembly: Decorative materials shall meet the match flame test described in the NFCC. It
is similar to that described in NFPA No. 701 (13). Consumer Goods
The most important f 1 ammabi li ty standards currently in force under the Hazardous Products Act deal with textile products. There is a basic mini-
mum flammability standard for all textile fibre products for consumer
use.In addition, a more stringent flammability
standard applies to childrenis sleepwear, dressing gowns and robes in sizes up to and including bX.and
to textile fibre products for use on or about beds, including bedspreads, sheets, blankets and pillow cases.
The standards for consumer textile articles are based on ASTM D1230, "Test for Flammability of Clothing Textiles1' (10)
.
A specimen measuring 2 in. by 6 in. (51 by 152 mm) is held in a special device at an angle of 45 deg and a standardized flame is applied to the surface near the lower end for 1 sec. The time required for flame to proceed up the fabric a distance of 5 in. (127 mm) is recorded. All consumer textile products must have a time of flame travel of 3.5 sec or more, and textile fibre products used as bedding materials must have a time of flame travel of7
sec or more. Where the products have a raised fibre surface,an
addi- tional requirement on ignition or fusion applies.T r a n s p o r t a t i o n F i r e S a f e t y
( a ) P a s s e n g e r S h i p s
The f i r e h a z a r d of p a s s e n g e r s h i p s i s i n many ways an even more s e r i o u s problem t h a n t h a t o f b u i l d i n g s . A s h i p must b e d e s i g n e d s o t h a t i t w i l l b e p o s s i b l e t o cope w i t h a f i r e s i t u a t i o n w i t h o u t o u t s i d e h e l p . T h i s i s p a r t i c u l a r l y t r u e f o r p a s s e n g e r s h i p s t h a t make i n t e r n a t i o n a l voyages. I t i s n o t s u r p r i s i n g , t h e r e f o r e , t h a t v e r y r e s t r i c t i v e measures a r e t a k e n t o minimize t h e s p r e a d o f f i r e , w i t h s t r i c t l i m i t a t i o n s on t h e u s e of c o m b u s t i b l e m a t e r i a l s . The r e g u l a t i o n s on f i r e s a f e t y o f p a s s e n g e r s h i p s f o r i n t e r - n a t i o n a l voyages have been governed by i n t e r n a t i o n a l agreements
f o r many y e a r s . Those d e a l i n g w i t h f i r e s a f e t y o f c o m b u s t i b l e m a t e r i a l s i n e f f e c t i n Canada, t h e r e f o r e , a r e n o t t o o d i f f e r e n t from t h o s e i n o t h e r c o u n t r i e s . Following t h e 1948 I n t e r n a t i o n a l Convention f o r t h e S a f e t y o f L i f e a t S e a , t h r e e a l t e r n a t i v e methods o f f i r e p r o t e c t i o n were a d o p t e d by many c o u n t r i e s . A l l t h r e e were
-
g i v e n e q u a l r e c o g n i t i o n i n Canada u n t i l 1967, when an amendment was made i n t h e r e g u l a t i o n s t o l i m i t Canadian p a s s e n g e r s h i pc o n s t r u c t i o n t o Method I .
According t o t h e H u l l C o n s t r u c t i o n R e g u l a t i o n s ( 6 ) , " I n e v e r y s h i p i n which Method I o f f i r e p r o t e c t i o n h a s been a d o p t e d : - a l l
l i n i n g s , grounds, c e i l i n g s and i n s u l a t i o n s h a l l c o n s i s t of incombus- t i b l e m a t e r i a l e x c e p t i n c a r g o s p a c e s , m a i l rooms b u l l i o n rooms, baggage rooms and r e f r i g e r a t e d s t o r e rooms, p r o v i d e d t h a t t h e
l i n i n g s , grounds and c e i l i n g s i n s h i p s c a r r y i n g n o t more t h a n 100 p a s s e n g e r s may b e c o n s t r u c t e d o f c o m b u s t i b l e m a t e r i a l h a v i n g t h e same f i r e - r e s i s t i n g p r o p e r t i e s a s t h e m a t e r i a l o f t h e b u l k h e a d s e n c l o s i n g t h e s p a c e s i n which t h e y a r e s i t u a t e d ;
-
t h e t o t a l volume o f c o m b u s t i b l e m a t e r i a l s i n s t a l l e d a s f a c i n g s , mouldings, d e c o r a t i o n s o r v e n e e r s i n any accommodation s p a c e o r s e r v i c e s p a c ei n a s h i p i n which Method I o f f i r e p r o t e c t i o n has been a d o p t e d , b e i n g a s h i p c a r r y i n g more t h a n 100 p a s s e n g e r s , s h a l l n o t exceed a volume e q u a l t o t h a t o f v e n e e r o f 1/10 i n . ( 2 . 5 mm) on t h e
combined a r e a of t h e w a l l s and c e i l i n g o f such s p a c e ; any f a c i n g s , mouldings, d e c o r a t i o n s o r v e n e e r s i n s t a l l e d i n t h e c o r r i d o r s o r s t a i r w a y e n c l o s u r e s i n such a s h i p s h a l l c o n s i s t o f i n c o m b u s t i b l e m a t e r i a l s . I '
(b) Motor V e h i c l e s
The f l a m m a b i l i t y r e q u i r e m e n t f o r o c c u p a n t compartment o f motor
v e h i c l e s i s b a s e d on Motor V e h i c l e S a f e t y S t a n d a r d No. 302. I n t e r i o r m a t e r i a l s used i n p a s s e n g e r c a r s , m u l t i - p u r p o s e p a s s e n g e r v e h i c l e s ,
t r u c k s , c h a s s i s - c a b s and b u s e s a r e c o v e r e d by t h i s r e g u l a t i o n . T e s t s a r e conducted on s u r f a c e m a t e r i a l , padding o r c u s h i o n i n g m a t e r i a l and composite c o n s i s t i n g o f s u r f a c e m a t e r i a l bonded, sewed o r m e c h a n i c a l l y a t t a c h e d t o u n d e r l y i n g m a t e r i a l .
I n t h e f l a m m a b i l i t y t e s t a specimen 4 i n . wide by 14 i n . l o n g (10.2 cm by 35.6 cm) and t h i c k n e s s n o t e x c e e d i n g 1 / 2 i n . ( 1 . 3 cm) is p o s i t i o n e d h o r i z o n t a l l y and a bunsen b u r n e r flame a p p l i e d t o one end f o r 15 s e c . A m a t e r i a l meets t h e t e s t i f i t does n o t b u r n
i n excess of 60 s e c o r 2 i n . (5.1 cm) i n length and i f t h e burn r a t e i s n o t g r e a t e r t h a n 4 i n . p e r min (10.2 cm p e r min).
(c) A i r c r a f t
Flammability r e g u l a t i o n s f o r a i r c r a f t i n t e r i o r m a t e r i a l s a r e t h e same i n Canada a s i n t h e United S t a t e s and t h e United Kingdom. M a t e r i a l s approved t o meet t h e r e g u l a t i o n s of e i t h e r t h e Federal Aviation Administration (U.S.A.) o r t h e C i v i l Aviation Authority
(U.K.) a r e accepted. The t e s t methods f o r flammability a r e essen- t i a l l y t h e same f o r t h e two o r g a n i z a t i o n s and a r e based on t h r e e flame t e s t s t h a t have been proposed f o r adoption by t h e I n t e r n a - t i o n a l C i v i l Aviation Organization:
( i ) a v e r t i c a l t e s t f o r m a t e r i a l s r e q u i r e d t o e x h i b i t a high degree of flame r e s i s t a n c e ,
( i i ) a h o r i z o n t a l t e s t f o r m a t e r i a l s n o t r e q u i r e d t o e x h i b i t a high degree of flame r e s i s t a n c e ,
( i i i ) an i n c l i n e d 45-deg t e s t f o r m a t e r i a l s used f o r baggage and cargo compartment l i n i n g s
.
(d) R a i l r o a d s
There a r e no n a t i o n a l s t a n d a r d s governing t h e f i r e s a f e t y o f combustible m a t e r i a l s used i n t r a i n s , b u t t h e two major railways
i n Canada have t h e i r own flammability requirements. Information I f o r passenger c a r s o b t a i n e d from Canadian National Railways (8) is 1
p r e s e n t e d t o i l l u s t r a t e some o f t h e s e requirements, which a r e under c o n t i n u i n g review.
( i ) C a r p e t s . When a c a r p e t is s u b j e c t e d t o t h e methenamine t a b l e t t e s t , t h e g r e a t e s t diameter o f t h e charred a r e a s h a l l n o t exceed 1.5 i n . (3.8 cm)
.
( i i ) Upholstery f a b r i c . The f i n i s h e d f a b r i c s h a l l meet t h e following requirements: CGSB Standard 4-GP-2, Method 27.1, V e r t i c a l Burning T e s t (12) F l a s h i n g None A f t e r f lame 6 s e c max Afterglow None Length o f c h a r 1 i n . (2.5 cm) max CGSB Standard 4-GP-2, Method 27.2, 45-deg S u r f a c e Burning T e s t (12) Afterflame Afterglow Char None None S h a l l n o t exceed t o p edge
( i i i ) B e r t h c u r t a i n s . When t e s t e d a c c o r d i n g t o CGSB S t a n d a r d 4-GP-2, Method 27.1, t h e f i n i s h e d f a b r i c s h a l l meet t h e f o l l o w i n g r e q u i r e m e n t s : F l a s h i n g None A f t e r f l a m e None Afterglow None Length o f c h a r 1.5 i n . ( 3 . 8 cm) max, ( i v ) Diaphragms. When t e s t e d a c c o r d i n g t o CGSB S t a n d a r d 4-GP-2, Method 27.2, t h e f i n i s h e d t r e a t e d m a t e r i a l ( c o t t o n duck) s h a l l meet t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f CGSB S t a n d a r d 4-GP-56b, S e c t i o n 6 . 7 ( 1 2 ) . (v) P o l y s t y r e n e foam i n s u l a t i o n . When t e s t e d a c c o r d i n g t o CGSB S t a n d a r d 4-GP-2, Method 27.2, t h e m a t e r i a l must be s e l f - e x t i n g u i s h i n g .
( v i ) Polyurethane foam i n s u l a t i o n . When t e s t e d a c c o r d i n g t o
CGSB S t a n d a r d 4-GP-2, Method 27.2, b u t u s i n g 0.9 m l o f
a b s o l u t c a l c o h o l i n p l a c e o f 0 . 3 m l normally p r e s c r i b e d ,
t h e m a t e r i a l must be s e l f - e x t i n g u i s h i n g .
(e) Subway Cars
Two c i t i e s i n Carhaday Montreal and Toronto, have subways. There
a r e no f e d e r a l r e g u l a t i o n s governing c o n s t r u c t i o n m a t e r i a l s i n subway c a r s b u t t h e t r a n s i t commissions i n t h e two c i t i e s p r e p a r e
t h e i r own p u r c h a s e s p e c i f i c a t i o n s . I n f o r m a t i o n from t h e Toronto
T r a n s i t Commission (9) i n d i c a t e s t h a t s e v e r e l i m i t a t i o n s a r e p l a c e d on t h e use o f combustible m a t e r i a l s t o b e used i n subway c a r s , and t h a t t h e TTC r e l i e s h e a v i l y on m a t e r i a l s p e c i f i c a t i o n ; r e l a t i v e l y
l i t t l e u s e i s made o f f i r e t e s t s i n c o n t r o l l i n g m a t e r i a l s . Even
where a f i r e t e s t i s c a l l e d f o r , t h e n a t u r e of t h e m a t e r i a l i s
s p e c i f i e d . Regulations f o r a few o f t h e most i m p o r t a n t combustible
m a t e r i a l s a c c e p t e d by t h e TTC a r e l i s t e d below:
( i ) C e i l i n g and s i d e l i n i n g m a t e r i a l . S h a l l be c o n s t r u c t e d
o f laminated p l a s t i c having melamine f a c i n g o r approved e q u a l .
( i i ) Padding f o r s e a t cushions and s e a t backs. S h a l l b e o f
moulded, foamed l a t e x based on neoprene.
When t e s t e d a c c o r d i n g t o ASTM E162, t h e flame s p r e a d index
of t h e foam padding m a t e r i a l s h a l l n o t exceed 20, and t h e r e s h a l l b e no running o r d r i p p i n g .
( i i i ) Upholstery c l o t h f o r s e a t cushions and s e a t b a c k s . S h a l l
be o f c o t t o n s a t e e n c o a t e d w i t h v i n y l t h a t meets t h e
f o l l o w i n g requirements o f CGSB S t a n d a r d 4-GP-2, Method 27.2:
A f t e r f l a m e None
( i v ) Sound i n s u l a t i o n material. S h a l l be made of mineral f i b r e s and p o r t l a n d cement binders. When t e s t e d according t o
ASTM
E84, t h e product s h a l l have a flame spread r a t i n g of 15 o r l e s s .CONCLUDING STATEMENT
There has been Ancreasing emphasis o f f i r e s a f e t y and a t r e n d towards g r e a t e r r e s t r i c t i o n of combustible m a t e r i a l s i n many countries over t h e p a s t twenty years. Some o f t h e important changes a f f e c t i n g t h e use of combustible m a t e r i a l s i n Canada a r e presented i n Table I .
Changes cover c o n t r o l o f combustible m a t e r i a l s f o r building cons- t r u c t i o n , t r a n s p o r t a t i o n equipment, consumer goods, f u r n i t u r e and
furnishings and decorative m a t e r i a l s . The present r e g u l a t i o n s governing combustible m a t e r i a l s apply p r i m a r i l y t o f l a m a b i l i t y
.
Many of t h e flammability requirements a r e intended t o r e s t r i c t the use of m a t e r i a l s t h a t a r e easy t o i g n i t e with a small h e a t source o r tend t o c o n t r i b u t e to r a p i d spread of f i r e . The t r e n d towards more r e s t r i c t i v e flammabilityrequirements w i l l probably continue a s i n c r e a s i n g l y s a f e r m a t e r i a l s a r e
developed by i n d u s t r y .
Very few r e s t r i c t i o n s have been placed on m a t e r i a l s with a propensity f o r generating l a r g e q u a n t i t i e s of smoke. Development of a r a t i o n a l b a s i s f o r r e g u l a t i n g such m a t e r i a l s i s d i f f i c u l t a t t h e present time because m a t e r i a l s formulated t o r e s i s t i g n i t i o n o r rapid flame spread o f t e n produce more smoke than a l t e r n a t e m a t e r i a l s t h a t a r e more flammable. Greater r e s t r i c t i o n s based on smoke d e n s i t y c l a s s i f i c a t i o n o f m a t e r i a l s
w i l l become meaningful when a l t e r n a t e m a t e r i a l s t h a t combine reduced flammability and reduced p o t e n t i a l f o r smoke generation become a v a i l a b l e over a wide range of m a t e r i a l s .
There i s no r e s t r i c t i o n i n Canada a t t h e present time of m a t e r i a l s with a propensity f o r generating t o x i c decomposition products (pyrolysis and combustion products). The absence of a standard t e s t t o determine t h i s property is a s e r i o u s handicap t o a u t h o r i t i e s who have the respon- s i b i l i t y f o r promulgating r e g u l a t i o n s . Experimental findings suggest t h a t t h e r e i s a very r e a l need f o r r e g u l a t i o n of m a t e r i a l s t h a t generate harm- f u l gases (14). The danger o f introducing "bad actors" t o t h e market i s increasing with t h e increasing development of new materials.
The t r e n d i n r e g u l a t i o n s on f i r e s a f e t y o f combustible materials suggests t h a t r e s t r i c t i o n s on materials a r e l i k e l y t o increase i n t h e
future. I n a d d i t i o n t o flammability, t h e problems of smoke and t o x i c
gases a r e l i k e l y t o r e c e i v e c a r e f u l consideration by both developers of m a t e r i a l s and regulatory a u t h o r i t i e s .
This paper i s a c o n t r i b u t i o n from t h e Division o f Building Research, National Research Council of Canada, and i s published with t h e approval o f t h e Director o f t h e Division.
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1. Imamwzional Fire S t a t i s t i c s , 1972. Fire J . , Vol. 50, Nov. 1973.
2 . National Building Code of Canada 1975, Associate Committee on
the
National Building Code, National Research Council o f Canada, NRCC No. 13982, 345 p.
I 3. National F i r e Code of Canada 1975
,
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I
4. R.D. Bennett, p r i v a t e communication.5. C. Morton, p r i v a t e communication.
6. Hull Construction Regulations 1974, 181 p.
7. K . D . J . Owen, p r i v a t e communication. 8. B.R. P o t t s , p r i v a t e communication. 9. A.D. Hunt, p r i v a t e communication.
10. American Society f o r Testing and Materials (ASTM).
ASTM D1230-61 Standard Method of Test f o r Flammability of Clothing
T e x t i l e s .
AS'IM E84-70 Standard Method o f Test f o r Surface Burning Characteris- t i c s of Building Materials.
ASTM E162-67 Standard Method of Test f o r Surface Flammability of
Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source.
11. Canadian Standards Association.
B54.1- 1972 S p e c i f i c a t i o n f o r Determination o f Non-combus t i b i l i t y i n Building Materials.
B54.9-1972 Standard Method o f Test f o r Surface Burning Characteris- t i c s o f Flooring and Floor Covering Materials.
12. Canadian Government S p e c i f i c a t i o n s Board (CGSB)
.
4-GP- 2 Canadian Standard T e x t i l e Test Methods, Nov. 1971. 4-GP-129 Standard f o r : Carpets, Commercial, Oct. 1972.
I
4-GP-56b Compound, T e x t i l e Preservative, Dec. 1963.13. National F i r e P r o t e c t i o n Association (NFPA)
.
NFPA No. 701-1969 Standard Methods of F i r e Tests f o r Flame-resistant T e x t i l e s and F i l m s .
TABLE I . CHANGES AFFECTING CONTROL OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS 1941 F i r s t e d i t i o n o f NBCC p u b l i s h e d 1958 Hull C o n s t r u c t i o n Regulations e s t a b l i s h e d 1960 Regulations on flame s p r e a d c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of m a t e r i a l s i n t r o d u c e d i n NBCC 1963 F i r s t e d i t i o n o f NFCC p u b l i s h e d
1969 Hazardous Products A c t enacted
19 70 Canada Motor Vehicle S a f e t y Act e n a c t e d 1970 Maximum smoke developed r a t i n g f o r m a t e r i a l s
