St. Lawrence Burns: gas analysis

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St. Lawrence Burns: gas analysis Jutras, J. R.

NATIONAL RBSFARCH COUNCIL CANADA D I V I S I O N OF B U I L D I N G FU3SEARCH S T . LA~flRENCF BURNS GAS A N A L Y S I S by

J.R.

J u t r a s Report No. 157 of t h e

Division of Building Research

OTTAWA

PREFACE

The circumstances thg t l e d t o the c a r r y i n g out of f i r e t e s t s on e i g h t b u i l d i n g s i n t h e p r o j e o t known a s t h e S t , Lawrence Burns, and t h e ob j e o t i v e s and the ways i n whioh t h e s e were achieved a r e f u l l y d e s o r i b e d i n a g e n e r a l r e p o r t . It o o n s t i t u t e s t h e oornplete r e c o r d of t b planning and

e x e c u t i o n of the experiments, t o g e t h e r w i t h a l l g e n e r a l i f l o r m a t i o n . The d e t a i l s on eaoh k i n d of measurement made, i n c l u d i n g t h e r e s u l t s obtained, a r e oontained i n s e p a r a t e companion r e p o r t s of which t h i a i s one. A l l the r e s u l t s a r e combined and a r e d i s c u s s e d and f i n a l conolusions drawn

i n a summary r e p o r t .

D u p l i c a t i o n has been avoided aa f a r a s p o s s i b l e , and

it w i l l be necessary t o r e f e r t o t h e g e n e r a l r e p o r t i n r e a d i n g any of the o t h e r r e p o r t s i n c l u d i n g t h i s one f o r any information whioh i s p e r t i n e n t t o more t h a n one of them. A l i s t i n g of a l l r e p o r t s on t h e p r o j e c t f o l l o w s t h i s preface.

The p a r t i c i p a t i o n of the B r i t i s h J o i n t F i r e Researoh Organization i n t h e experiment, t h e i n t e r e s t end support of t h e F e d e r a l C i v i l Defence a u t h o r i t i e s , t h e a s s i s t a n a e of t h e O n t e r i o F i r e Marshal and h i s s t a f f , and f i n a l l y t h e complete co-operation and v e r y c o n s i d e r a b l e a s s i s t a n c e extended by t h e Hydro-Electric Power Commission of O n t a r i o a r e a l l g r a t e f u l l y aoknowledged. It i s a p l e a s u r e a l s o t o be able, t o r e c o r d t h e s p e o i a l c o n t r i b u t i o n made by members of the s t a f f of t h e F i r e

S e c t i o h who worked long hours, o f t e n under t r y i n g f i e l d o o n d l t i o n s and a t g r e a t p e r s o n a l inconvenience, t o meet t h e many d e a d l i n e s and t o aamplete t h e p r o j e c t I n a most s a t i s f a c t o r y manner.

The a u t h o r of t h i s r e p o r t i s D r . J o R , J u t r a s , r e s e a r a h o f f i c e r with t h e F i r e S e a t i o n of t h i s D i v i s i o n who was respon- s i b l e f o r t h e sampling and a n a l y s i s of room atmospheres during t h e experiment 8.

Ottawa

REPORTS

ON

THE ST. LAWRENCE BURNS

NO.

-

SUB-TITLE

General Report

Smoke and Sound Measurements Temperature Measurements Radiometer Measurements

V e n t i l a t i o n Rate Measurements Resistance Thermometer

Measurements

Radiant Temperature of Openings

AUTHOR G. W. S h o r t e r G. Williams-Leir G. Williams-Leir J. H. McGuire J. H. McGuire J.

H.

McGuire D. G. Stephenson Gas A n a l y s i s J. R. J u t r a s

Summary Report G. W. S h o r t e r and J. H. McGuire

ST. LAl7HENCE BUFLNS

GAS ANALYSIS

i! y

J.R. J u t r a s

Early i n 1958, a number of controlLed burning e x p e r i - ments were c a r r i e d out a t A u l t s v i l l e , Ontario, by t h e F i r e

Section of t h e Division of Building Research, National Research Council. The g e n e r a l d e t a i l s of t h e s e experiments, which i n - volved t h e burning of s i x dwellings and two l a r g e r b u i l d i n g s , a r e described i n t h e f i r s t of a s e r i e s of r e p o r t s published on

t h e S t . Lavcrence Burns (1).

I t was t h e purpose of these t e s t s t o study t h e develop- ment of f i r e i n b u i l d i n g s and t o determine, among o t h e r t h i n g s , how r a p i d l y a f i r e o r i g i n a t i n g on t h e ground f l o o r of a dwel- l i n g could a f f e c t t h e s u r v i v a l of occupants of u p s t a i r s bed- rooms. The f a c t o r s which have t h e most i n f l u e n c e on t h e time d u r i n g which such s u r v i v a l would remain a p o s s i b i l i t y a r e t h e h e a t d i s s i p a t e d during t h e f i r e and t h e v i t i a t i o n of t h e atmosa phere, e i t h e r through t h e accumulation of smoke o r through

changes i n t h e a i r composition.

Tdeasurements of temperatures a t v a r i o u s p o i n t s i n s i d e t h e dwellings and o f smoke d e n s i t y i n t h e bedrooms and c e l l a r have a l r e a d y been r e p o r t e d ( 2 , 3 ) . This r e p o r t d e s c r i b e s t h a t p a r t of t h e o p e r a t i o n concerned with t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n of oxygen and carbon monoxide c o n c e n t r a t i o n s i n t h e two u p s t a i r s bedrooms ( o n e with t h e door open and t h e o t h e r w i t h t h e door c l o s e d ) and i n t h e c e l l a r of each of t h e s i x dwellings. Plan views ( P i g s . 1 t o

5 ,

7 ) show t h e l o c a t i o n of t h e two bedrooms i n each o f t h c (lwellings.

1. A n a l y t i c a l I n s t r ~ a n e n t a t i o n

-

';/hen thought VEI s given t o t h e i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n r e q u i r e d

f o r t h e gas a n a l y s i s , t h e f a c t that; the burns would be c a r r i e d out- a c c o r d i t ~ g t o a r i ~ i d schedule, probably a t t h e r a t e of one

3 day a t some tlis-tance from t h e l a b o r a t o r y , was a major consid-

sample a n a l y s i s w i t h a n a b s o r p t i o n a p p a r a t u s of t h e Orsa-t t,vpe a s was done i n Englalid (:luring s i m i l a r experiments

( 4 )

,

s-inoe a

rea at

numbel- oof Gas snmpl-es wou1.d. need t o be c o l l e c t e d i n evacuated g l a s s b o t t l e s and acc~.~rnul.ated o v e r a p e r i o d of f o u r t o f i v e d a y s , witil t h e adriec! I - i s l c of b r e a l r a ~ e s , le a k a g e s , and s o on. A l s o , t h i s me-thod ass not atlecyu.ate f o r measuring low c o n c e n t r a t i o n s of carbon monoxicit. a s rvas r e q u i r e d i n t h e p r e - s e n t experiments

.

The use of p o r t a b l e d i r e c t - r e a d i n g instx?~.men-ts s , p e c i a l l y designed f o r t h e a n a l y s i s of con-tinuously f l o w i n g samples

was

t h e r e f o r e i n d i c a t e d . 3uch i n s t r u m e n t s were known t o be a v a i l - a b l e f o r carbon monoxide and oxygen, t h e two g a s e s which have -the most s i g n i f i c a n c e when e v a l u a t i n g t h e time d u r i n g which a n

e n c l o s u r e o r room remains h a b i t a b l e . Two Carbon Monoxide I n d i - c a t o r s ( r a n g e 0 t o 0.15 p e r c e n t ) manufactured by Mine S a f e t y Appliances and one Beckman Oqrgen Analyzer, model C2P ( r a n g e 0 t o 25 p e r c e n t ) , were t h . e r e f o r e o b t a i n e d and were subsequent- l y rnounked on a t a b l e i n t h e heated t r a i l e r which s e r v e d

as

a n i n s t r u m e n t room d u r i n g t h e o p e r a t i o n . The a n a l y z e r was of t h e f a s t r e s p o n s e t y p e (95 p e r c e n t r e s p o n s e i n

7

s e c o n d s ) , but- t h e inclica-tors t o o k a s much a s 30 seconcis t o r e a c h e q u i l i b r i u m c o n d i t i o n s f o l l o w i n g a change i n carbon monoxide c o n c e n t r a t i o n . 2. Gas S a l n p l i n ~ _{- - . - - &}

( a ) Sampling Sys-l-em

The g a s sampling t u b e ex-kencled from t h e bedrooms t o t h e i n s t r u m e n t t r a i l e r , which was g e n e r a l l y s e t a t a d i s t a n c e of a b o u t 100 f t from t h e house t o be burned. I t s f i r s t s e c t i o n c o n s i s t e d of 3/8-in. I D copper t u b i n g r u n n i n g h o r i z o n t a l l y from t h e c e n t r e of each bedroom t o a p o i n t approximately 1 f t o u t - s i d e t h e f r o n t w a l l of t h e house. This s e c t i o n was i n s t a l l - e d some time b e f o r e t h e burns. A second l e n g t h o f copper t u b i n g of t h e same s i z e was a t t a c h e d t o t h i s s e c t i o n immediately p r i o r t o t h e burn, and extended t h e sampling l i n e from t h e second f l o o r l e v e l t o t h e ground and a l o n g t h e ground f o r a d i s t a n c e of between 10 t o 20 f t from t h e house. Brom t h i s p o i n t o n , 1 / 4 - i n . I D IL'ygon f l e x i b l e t u b i n g was used and was connected a t t h e t r a i l e r t o t h e copper t u b i n g (1/4-in. I D ) l e a d i n g t o t h e a n a l y t i c a l system.

A g a s c o l l e c t o r ( P i g .

9)

was f i x e d t o t h e c o l l e c t i n g end of t h e system and c o n s i s t e d of a m e t a l can f i l l e d p a r t l y w i t h g l a s s wool t o remove smoke p a r t i c l e s from t h e g a s e s and p a r t l y w i t h calciixm c h l o r i d e t o remove e x c e s s moristure and p r e v e n t c l o g g i n g of t h e l i n e t h r o u g h f r e e z i n g .

( b ) Samplinz of Gases

The atmosphere of both bedrooms ( o r of t h e closed. bed- room and t h e c e l l a ~ ) was sampled s i m u l t a n e o u s l y , a s shown i n Fig. 10, a-t a c o n s t a n t r a t e o f 1.. c u f t p e r minu-be by means of two pressure-and-vacuum a i r purrips ( F i s h e r Bo. 1-093) l o c a t e d i n t h e t r a i l e r . The g a s e s were d i r e c t e d i n t o two r e s e r v o i r s ( 1 3 by 10 by 7 i n . ) b u i l t s e p a r a t e l y around each pump and t h e n vented t o t h e atmosphere. A t t h e s t a r t of t h e t e s - t , r e s e r v o i r

A was connected w i t h t h e open bedroom and r e s e r v o i r B w i t h t h e c l o s e d bedroom. A s soon a s t h e carbon monoxide c o n c e n t r a t i o n i n t h e fonrler room reached 1 . 5 p e r c e n t ( u n l e s s u n f o r e s e e n e v e n t s made it n e c e s s a r y t o end t h e t e s t s o o n e r ) , r e s e r v o i r A was con- n e c t e d with t h e c e l l a r .

The t o t a l volunle of each probe and r e s e r v o i r system was c a l c u l a t e d t o be 0.4 cu f t , which meant a time l a g o f 21 seconds i n t h e pumpins of -the p;ases from t h e house t o t h e t r a i l e r .

3. OxyPen Q--- Determination

Owins t o t h e f a s t response of tile oxygen a n a l y z e r , only one i n s t r u m e n t was r e q u i r e d t o f o l l o w t h e v a r i a t i o n s of oxygen concen-tration i n t h e two rooms. The a n a l y z e r was t h e r e f o r e

connected t o t h e two r e s e r v o i r s , and a two-way v a l v e enabled t h e o p e r a t o r t o switch from one t o t h e o t h e r a t r e g u l a r i n t e r v a l s of 30 seconds.

One adverse f e a t u r e of t h e f a s t response a n a l y z e r i s

t h a t i t s s e n s i n g element i s n o t i n t e r n a l l y p r o t e c t e d , and flow r a t e s of only 40 t o 60 cc/min. ( 2

x

10'3 cfm) a r e s p e c i f i e d . I n o r d e r t o a f f o r d t h e instrument proper p r o t e c t i o n and s t i l l keep t h e s a ~ n p l i n s l a g t o a minimum, samples viere pumped by means of a small c a p a c i t y purnp (Redmond) a t a r a t e of 0.04 cfm and t h e sampling l i n e was provided with a s h o r t by-pass f o r t h e a n a l y z e r . Throuch it a n a i r flow of 0.002 cfm was c o n t r o l l e d by a n e e d l e v a l v e and a I"1ov~~neter ( F i g . 1 0 ) . Y i t h t h i s system, t h e time l a g was found t o be n e g l i g i b l e (about 2 s e c o n d s ) .

4 .

Carbon Monoxide Determinations

--

The measurement of carbon monoxide c o n c e n t r a t i o n s neces- s i t a t e d t h e use of two i n d i c a t o r s because t h e i r low s e n s i t i v i t y would n o t have allowed s w i t c h i n g from one r e s e r v o i r t o t h e o t h e r a t r e g u l a r i n t e r v a l s of 30 seconds. One i n d i c a t o r was t h e r e f o r e branched permanently on each r e s e r v o i r and samples were drawl i n a t a c o n s t a n t r a t e of 0.16 cfm by means of t h e pump b u i l t i n t h e

instru.rnent. The time la: i n pumping. samples froln -the r e s e r v o i r s

t o t h e i n d i c a t o r s was n e ~ l i g i b l e ( 3 seconds). Carbon monoxide

c o n c e n t r a t i o n s were r e a d d i r e c t l y o f f t h e two i n d i c a t o r s every

I n o r d e r t o a l l o w , however, f o r t h e

measurement

of c o n c e n t r a t i o n s g r e a t e r t h a n 0.15 p e r c e n t ( t h e maximum range of t h e i n d i c a t o r s )

,

d i l u t i o n sys-terns were provided on each sampling l i n e ( F i g . 10) by w11ich a i r was brought i n from t h e o u t s i d e a t a r a t - e , p r e - s e t by Tic>ans of n e e d l e - v a l v e s , s u f f i c i e n t f o r a t e n - f o l d d i l u t i o n of t h e ~ a . n ! ) l e s . This enabled concen- t r a t i o n s of up t o

I-.

5

p e r c e n t carbon monoxide t o be de terrnined.

A c o n s t a n t t e m p e r a t u r e b a t h was a l s o added t o c o r r e c t f o r any infl.uence t h a t v a r i a - t i o n s i n o ~ x t s i d e a i r t e m p e r a t u r e mieht have on t h e g a s - a i r mixing r a t i o .

RESULTS

-

Oxygen and carbon monoxide c o n c e n t r a t i o n s have been determined a t each of t h e s i x burns i n v o l v i n g d w e l l i n g s . Read- i n g s a r e t a b u l a t e d i n 12ppeiidix -4.

Pollowine, c o r r e c t i o n s of a l l r e a d i n g s f o r t i m e l a g s of approximately 30 seconds i n t h e s a m p l i n ~ of t h e g a s e s a n d , i n t h e c a s e of t h e carbon monoxide d e t e r m i n a t i o n s , of a n a d d i t i o n a l

30 seconds t o account f o r t h e slow response of t h e irlciica.tors, t h e measured concentra t l o n s have been p l o t ted a g a i n s t time f o r

each b u m (Eies. 11 t o 1 6 ) t o show t h e i r a c t u a l v a r i a t i o n s d u r - i n g each t e s t . T h e i r mean v a r i a t i o n i n t h e drvellings l i n e d with combustible m a t e r i a l and i n t h o s e l i n e d with incombustible mater- i a l i s g r a p h i c a l l y s i ~ o m i n Il'igs.

1 ' 7

and 18, r e s p e c t i v e l y .

These graphs s h o i ~ t h a t t h e accumulation o f carbon monox- i d e and t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g d e p l e t i o n of oxygen were q u i t e r a p i d i n t h e open bedrooms of d w e l l i n g s l i n e d w i t h combustible m a t e r i a l , r e a d i n g s of 1 p e r c e n t carbon monoxide and 1 0 p e r c e n t oxycen

b e i n g o b t a i n e d w i t h i n 2 1/2 minutes of t h e s t a r t of t h e t e s t . The c o r r e s p o n d i n g t i m e s f o r t h e d w e l l i n g s l i n e d w i t h i n c o m b u s t i b l e m a t e r i a l a r e 4 minutes f o r 1 0 p e r c e n t oxygen and 8 minutes f o r

1 p e r c e n t carbon monoxide.

':,%en t h e door of t h e bedroom i s c l o s e d witho-cl-t s p e c i a l p r e c a u t i o n s t o b l o c k a i r p a s s a g e s around t h e d o o r , a s was t h e c a s e i n t h e s e t e s t s , t h e p r o t e c t i o n a f f o r d e d a g a i n s t t h e d e l e - t e r i o u s e f f e c t of a f i r e a f f e c t i n g o t h e r s e c t i o n s of a house i s c l e a r l y demonstrated by c u r v e s B of b o t h F i g s . 1 7 and 18, p a r - - t i . c u l a r l y of t h e l a t t e r , ~ v h i c h concerns d w e l l i n g s l i n e d w i t h i n c o m b u s t i b l e m a t e r i a l . I n t h i s c a s e , it t o o k n e a r l y 1 5 minutes f o r t h e carbon monoxide t o r e a c h t h e 1 p e r c e n t l e v e l and a s

much a s 20 minutes f o r t h e oxygen c o n c e n t r a t i o n t o drop b e l o x 1 0 p e r c e n t . Corresponding t i m e s f o r t h e d w e l l i n g s l i n e d w i t h c o r ~ b u s t i b l e m a t e r i a l were

5

and 1 3 minutes r e s p e c t i v e l y .

I t was i n t h e c e l l a r , however, t h a t e q u i v a l e n t chances i n atmosuheric composition toolr t h e l o n g e s t t o be reached. I n t h e combu.stible-lined h o u s e s , a

I

p e r c e n t carbon monox:ide

c o n c e n t r a t i o n was o b t a i n e d o n l y a f - t e r a p e r i o d of 11 m i n u t e s , and t h e oxygen l e v e l was s t i l l above 1 0 p e r c e n t 20 minutes a f t e r i g n i t i o n . I n t h e o t h e r c a t e s o r y of d.wellinl;s, even a f t e r combustion had p r o g r e s s e d f o r

32

minutes t h e atmosphere o f t h e basetnent c o n t a i n e d 0.75 p e r c e n t carbon monoxide and. 1 8 p e r c e n t oxygen.

SURVIVAL

TIMES

-

--

The e x a c t l e v e l s a t which l a c k of oxygen o r I-ow concen- t r a t i o i l s of carbon monoxide w i l l r a p i d l y cause unconsciousness a r e s t i l l n o t a rnatter of d e f i n i t e a c c o r d , s i n c e t h e y a r e con- s i d e r a b l y a l t e r e d by such v a r i a b l e s a s e x e r t i o n , deptli of 1-es- p i r a t i o n , e x c i t e m e n t , f e a r , and o t h e r f a c t o r s a f f e c t i n g b o d i l y v i e o u r .

The ITational. F i r e P r o t e c t i o n A s s o c i a t i o n Commit t e e on F i r e Gas Research has r e p o r t e d

( 4 ) ,

however, t h a t c o l l a p s e oc- c u r s q u i c k l y when t h e oxygen c o n c e n t r a t i o n drops below 1 0 p e r c e n t . For t h e purpose of t h i s s t u d y , t h i s v a l u e was a c c e p t e d a s t h e limit under vrhich a person would become unable t o escape on h i s own e f f o r t . S u r v i v a l t i m e s e s t i m a t e d on t h i s b a s i s a r e g i v e n i n Table I .

On t h e oti-ler. hand, when carbon monoxide i s p r e s e n t , it i s almost g e n e r a l l y agreed

( 4 )

t h a t d e a t h w i l l o c c u r when 60 t o

80 n e r c e n t o f the blooc! hacn~o~.lobi-n h a s been tranzforrjed i n t o car'ooxy-haemor;lobin. The t i m e n e c e s s a r y f o r t h i s c o n d i t i o n t o be reached w i l l depend upon t h e r e l a t i v e a m o i ~ n t s , o r mass

a c t i o n s , of carbon monoxide and oxysen i n t h e a i r b r e a t h e d , and upon t h e i n t e n s i t y of t h e a f f i n i t i e s of t h e two g a s e s f o r hae- moylobin. I n g e n e r a l , t o determine t i m e of s u r v i v a l i n atmos- p h e r e s c o n t a i n i n g carbon monoxide, one r e s o r t s t o a formula derived from a c t u a l d a t a by Henderson and Haygard ( 5 ) by which f a t a l exposure t o carbon monoxide can be p r e d i c t e d .

where "t" i s t h e time of exposure i n minutes and "E-~" t h e carbon monoxide c o n c e n t r a t i o n i n p e r c e n t . Gonsciousness wox~ld, however, be l o s t a t a much lo7rer l e v e l of s a t u r a t i o n of t h e b l o o d , between 40 t o 50 p e r c e n t a c c o r d i n g t o G1aud.y ( 6 ) . On t h i s b a s i s , t i m e of s i ~ r v i v a l , i f t a k e n t o mean t h e time a t which a person beconles h e l - p l e s s

,

tvould be c o n s i d e r a b l y s m a l l e r t h a n tirne of f a t a l exposure

T!inchin ( ' 7 ) r e p o r t s t h a t c o l l a p s e would o c c u r when -t-11e p r o d u c t of t h e c a r b o n monoxitle conceu1;ration by t i m e OJ? exposure ( i n

m i n u t e s ) e q u a l s

4.5,

t ' r ~ a t i s

t x R,, _{, .} =

4 . 5

The u s e o f t h i s formula i s , however, o n l y v a l i d when t h e carbon rnonoxide c o n c e n - b a t i o n i s c o n s t a n t . I n -the c o u r s e 01 a f i r e , t h e p r o p o r t i o n . of carbon rnonoxide in. t h e a t r n o s p l ~ e r e var.j.es constant-1-y, and i n o r d e r t o t a k e i n t o a c c o u n t i t s c u m u l a t i v e a b s o r p t i o n in. t h e bl.00~1 i t s con.cen-l;ration n e e d s t o be i n t e g a t e c ? . 1wi't;h r e s p e c t t o t i m e , t h a t i s

The a r e a s u n d e r t h e c u r v e s g i v e n i n F i g s . 11 t o 18 have t h e r e - f o r e been i n t e g r a t e d , and the? times a t which an a r e a eqt.livalent t o

4.5

was ob-tain.ed a r e l i s t e d i n Table I . I n many c a s e s , t h e s e t i m e s exceed t h e p e r i o d d u r i n g wh.ich measi.rremen-ts were o b t a i n e d f o r t h e test::. I n t h e s e ' i n s t a n c e s , constan-t v a l i - ~ e s e q u a l t o

t h e l a s t readin:; o b t a i n e d a r e assumed f o r t h e p e r i o d durinz; which no i n f o r m a t i o n was a v a i l a b l e .

These t i m e s may be compared. w i t h t i m e s , a l s o 1 - i s t e d i n Table I , a t which a 1 . 2 8 p e r c e n t c a r b o n monoxide c o n c e n t r a t i o n was o b t a i n e d . -4ccord.in~; t o Kam:ilton and J o h n s t o n e (€3)

,

a t t b . i s

c o n c e n t r a t i o n t h e r e i s a n immediate e f f e c t and c o i i s c i o u s n e s s i s l o s t .

I t shoilld be emphasized, however, t h a t t h e s u r v i v a l t i m e s g i v e n i n Table I a r e based on r e s u l t s o f s e p a r a t e s t n c l i e s : one concerned w i - t l ~ . t11e s o l e e f f e c t s o f l a c k o f o x y p n on human b e i n g s ,

and tile o t h e r w i t 1 1 -those of: c a r b o n monoxide i n a n o t h e r w i s e normal at-rnosphere. I n a b u r n i n g b u i l d i n g , where there i s a simultaneous

d e c r e a s e

or

oxygen and i n c r e a s e of c a r b o n monoxide, c a r b o n monoxide a b s o r p t i o n i n t h e blood w i l l be a c c e l e r a l i e d becau.se of t h e l o w e r oxyg.en p r e s s u r e i n t h e 1 . u . n ~ : ~ . Consequent1.y

,

s h o r t e r s u r v i v a l t i m e s than a n y o f t h o s e l i s t e d i n T a b l e I s h o u l d be expectecl..

1. S h o r t e r , G.':'i. :it. Lawrel~ce

Burns

-

General. R e p o r t . N . H . C . , DT3R I n t e r r ~ a l R e p o r t Fo. 1 5 0 , Nov. 1959. 2. ' t J i l l i a m s - L e i r , G. St-. T~swsence B u r n s

-

Temperature

P'iea s u r e m e n t s

.

IT.

R . C

.

,

DBR I n t e r n a l R e p o r t No. 1 5 2 , Dec. 1959.

j. i i r i l l i a m s - L e i r , G. S t . J~awrence B u r n s

-

Smoke and Sound Measurements. N. R . C .

,

DDR

I n t e r n a l R e p o r t No.

1-51, Uec. 1959.

4 . F i r e Gas R e s e a r c h R e p o r t . N a t i o n a l F i r e P r o t e c t i o n A s s o c i a i ; i o n , Commit-Lee on F i r e Gas R e s e a r c h . I?FP'11

Q u a r t e r l y , 4-5: 280. 1952.

5 . Henderson, Y. and H. 'X. Haggard. The P h y s i o l o g i c a l _ P r i n . c i p l e s Governing V e n t i l a t i o n \"hen t h e A i r i s

Contaminated w i t h Carbon J!!Ionoxide. J . I n d . k g .

Chern. 1 4 : 229-236. 1922.

6 . Claudy

,

Y.

D.

C a r b o ~ Monoxide i n F i r e - F l g h t i n s . NFPA

Firemen. V.21, n . 6 , 1 2 , 1 3 , a n d 22; n . 7 , 10-11. 1954.

7.

M i n c h i n ,

L.T.

Thild Carbon Monoxide P o i s o n i n g a s a n

I n d u s t r i - a 1 Hazard. Ind.. Chemist. 30: 381-385.

3 9 5 4

8. H a m i l t o n , A . a n d R. 5'. J o l m s t o n e . I n c i u s t Y i a l T o x i c o l o g y . Oxforcl I T n i v e r s i t y :Press. 191i.6.

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DINING ROOM

fl

9 y n x 1 0 , ' - 4 "

7L!ril[

- GROUND FLOOR

1

FIRST FLOOR - I 1 NOTES .,

I. ALL WALLS 6 CEILINGS OF PLASTER

!L

A

a

CLOSED BEDROOM 10'-2"x 8 ' - 3

'

[

1

INSTRUMENTATION

n

17 OPEN BEDROOM a ' . 0 " ~ / / ' - 5 " IN BASEMENT WEST CORNER LEGEND ,' 4 THERMOCOUPLES

9i

4

D L ~ N ~ lo €,-

RES/S TANCE THERMOMETER

0

RADIOMETERS \ @ THERMOPILE RADIOMETER .'\ GAS COLLECTORS SMOKE METERS

Tbh

0 BEDROOM BEDROOM 10'-2"x 10'- 6 " 8 ' - o ' ; l 0 ' . 6 " A N E M O M E T E R 0 5 10 t 1 m z -1 F E E T

GROUND FLOOR BATHROOM BEDROOM 10'- 8°K 1 0 ' - 5 " / ₀ CLOSED BEDROOM _T / 2 ' . 0 ' ( ~ 8 ' - 3 " OPEN BEDROOM 10'- 6 ' ; 8'. 1'' 10 I I I I t NOTES.

I ALL WALLS 8 CEILINGS OF FIBREBOARD EXCEPT

- IN BEDROOMS, WALLS 8 CEIL JNGS OF PLASTER - IN KI W H E N , WAINSCO r OF WOOD 2. INSTRUMENTA TlON IN BASEMENT WEST CORNER LEGEND - 0 THERMOCOUPL ES RESISTANCE THERMOMETER (3 RADIOMETERS

@ THERMOPILE RAOIOME TER

n GAS COLLECTORS

L

\ SMOKE METERS

/

- COVERED WITH PL ASTERBOARD

J

t I

KITCHEN 6 DINING ROOM 18'-2"x 9'- 10" L IVING ROOM 9'- 11"x 18'-2" CRIB UP - -

f

t

k+ GROUND FLOOR NOTES :

I . ALL WALLS 6 CEILINGS OF FIBREBOA RD FIRST FLOOR 2. INSTRUMENTATION IN BASEMENT WEST CORNER LEGEND : 4 THERMOCOUPLES % RESISTANCE THERMOMETER

0

RADIOMETERS @ THERMOPILE RADIOMETER GAS COLLECTORS SMOKE METERS 0

t-xAZ-2

F E E T

-, COVERED WITH PLASTERBOARD ? KITCHEN ~ 4 ' . 6 " ~ 8'-8" ~~ - I I L . q 7 ' - 0 2 L.. ...- 40?ol'__- DINING ROOM LOWER

---

14'-1O'x 15'- 5 " SASH REMOVED

I I

LIVING ROOM 1 1 ' - p ' j 1 4 ' - 9 " GROUND FL OUR

gdt*1

1

NOTES :

I ALL WALLS 6 CEILINGS OF P L A S T E R 2 INSTRUMEN TATION /N BASEMENT SOUTH CORNER LEGEND : -4 THERMOCOUPLES RESfSTANCE T H E W M E TER @ THERMOPILE RADIOMETER 0 GAS COLLECTORS SMOKE METERS O U F E E T

FIGURE 4

-

BUILDING NO. 4

-

TWO - STOREY WOOD FRAME DWELLING WITH CLAPBOARD EXTERIOR AND BRICK INFILLING

NOTES :

I. ALL WALLS B CEILINGS OF PRESSED PAPERBOARD 2. INSTRUMEN TATION IN BASEMENT LEGEND : -4 THEIIMOCOUPL ES

-% RESISTANCE TtfERMOME TER C ) RADIOME mas @ THERMOPILE RADIOMETER 0 GAS COLLECTORS SMOKC METERS 0 5 10 I r

--

FEET FIRST FLOOR

FIGURE 5 -BUILDING NO. 5 - TWO

-

STOREY WOOD FRAME DWELLING WITH CLAPBOARD EXTERIOR

GROUND FLOOR 0 I - - - - 5 I0 FEET NOTE .' CElL /NG WALLS WAINSCOT PLASTER WOOD

-

THERMOCOUPLES

A RES/S TA NCE THERMOMETERS ANEMOMETERS

0

RADIOMETERS

@ THERMOPILE RADIOMETER

F I G U R E 6

-

BUILDING No. 6

-

T W O

-

S T O R E Y SOLID B R I C K

GROUND FLOOR N '- 6 " x 11'- 6 " OPEN BEDROOM 1 1 ' - 6 " x 11'-6" CLOSED BEDROOM I/'-6" r 10'-0' 3 2 ' - 2 " FIRS T FLOOR NOTES:

I ALL WALLS a CEILINGS

OF PLASTER

IN BASEMENT SOUTH CORNER

LEGEND :

-

THERMOCOUPLES

% RESIST4 NCE THERMOMETER

0

RADIOMETERS @ THERMOPILE RADIOMETER GAS COLLECTORS SMOKE METERS 0

-

5 I 0 F E E T

NO WIND NOTE : WALLS O f PLASTER CEILING OF WOOD LEGEND : --a THERM3COUPL ES % RESISTANCE THERMOMETERS ANEMOMETERS

0

RADIOMETERS THERMOPlL E RADIOMETER GROUND FLOOR 0

-

5 10 FEET

F I G U R E

8

-

6,UILDING

NO. 8

-

T W O

-

S T O R E Y SOLID

BRICK

Y ~ C U P l P E

/;;;;;

TO

Y;

19;

TO

vi

CU P l P E

LOCK SCREWS REDUCING COUPLING

FOR CENTERING AND DEPTH ADJUSTMENT

3 REQD

CONTA

l

NER

I" GLASS WOOL

SLEEVE

RING

BU lLDl NG No. l (NONCOMBUSTIBLE LINING) 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 T I M E IN MINU'TES

1

I

I

I

I

I

I

I 1 I I I 1 I CARBON MONOXI DE

-

I I I

-

I I I I -1 t

-

I I I 0 0 4 8 12 16 2 0 24 28 32 T I M E IN M I N U T E S I I

I

I

I

I

I

I

-

OXYGEN

-

-

\ t \ \ - \ I.

-

s \

-

-

1

1

1

F I G U R E

11

CARBON MONOXIDE AND OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS I N ( A ) OPEN BEDROOM AND ( B ) CLOSED BEDROOM OF B U I L D I N G NO.1 DURING BURN. GRASS F I R E CUT OFF GAS S A M P L I N G L I N E TO C E L L A R E A R L Y I N T E S T .

B U I L D I N G N o . 2 ( C O M B U S T I B L E L I N I N G )

-

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I I

. . . .

. . . .

.

.

_...

-

I I -1 I I I C A R B O N M O N O X I D E I I 0 4 8 12 I 6 2 0 2 4 2 8 . 3 2 I T l M E I N MINUTES O X Y G E N 0 0 4 8 12 16 2 0 2 4 2 8 3 2 T I M E I N M I N U T E S F I G U R E

12

CARBON M O N O X I D E AND OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS IN ( A ) OPEN BEDROOM ( B ) CLOSED BEDROOM . A N D ( C ) CELLAR OF BUILDING N 0 . 2 DURING BURN

B U I L D I N G N o . 3 ( C O M B U S T I B L E L I N I N G )

I

I

I

1

2

-

C A R B O N M O N O X I D E

-

-

1

I

0 4 8 12 16 2 0 2 4 2 8 3 2 'TIME IN MINUTES 0 0

4

8 12 16 2 0 2 4 2 8 3 2 T I M E I N M I N U T E S F I G U R E

13

I

I

I

-

. . O m . . . . OXYGEN

-

-

-

I

-

-

_-

CARBON M O N O X I D E AND O X Y G E N C O N C E N T R A T I O N S I N ( A ) OPEN BEDROOM ( 0 ) CLOSED BEDROOM AND ( C ) C E L L A R OF B U I L D I N G NO. 3 D U R I N G BURN

0 R 2 0 2 9 - 3

B U I L D I N G No. 4 ( N O N C O M B U S T I B L E L I N I N G ) C A R B O N MONOXI DE

-

-

0 4 8 12 16 2 0 24 2 8 3 2 T l M E I N MINUTES 0 0 4 8 12 16 2 0 24 2 8 3 2 T l M E IN MINUTES

I

I

_-

OXYGEN

-

-

0 _\ \

-

_\

-

\

-

-

FIGURE

14

I

I

CARBON MONOXIDE AND OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS I N ( A ) OPEN

I

I

I

I

BEDROOM AND ( 6 ) CLOSED BEDROOM OF B U I L D I N G NO. 4 DURING BURN. NO DETERMINATIONS WHERE MADE I N THE PARTLY

EXCAVATED C E L L A R

BUILDING No.

5

(COMBUSTIBLE LINING) CARBON MONOXIDE 0 4 8 12 I 6 20 24 28 32 T l M E I N M I N U T E S OXYGEN 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 T l M E I N M I N U T E S

CARBON M O N O X I D E A N D OXYGEN C O N C E N T R A T I O N S I N ( A ) OPEN BEDROOM ( 8 ) CLOSED BEDROOM AND ( C ) C E L L A R OF B U I L D I N G N 0 . 5 D U R I N G BURN.

B U I L D I N G No.

7

( N O N C O M B U S T I B L E L I N I N G )

I

I

I

-

-4 C A R B O N M O N O X I D E

.-'

-

-

...

-

a * *

....

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-

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4 8 12 16 2 0 2 4 2 8 3 2 T l M E I N M I N U T E S i

I

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@--i'.*..

-

O X Y G E N

-

\ \

-

\

-

-

-

I.

I

I

I

I

I

-

T I M E I N M I N U T E S F I G U R E I6 C A R B O N M O N O X I D E AND O X Y G E N C O N C E N T R A T I O N S IN ( A ) OPEN

BEDROOM ( B ) CLOSED BEDROOM AND ( C ) C E L L A R OF B U I L D I N G N 0 . 7 D U R I N G B U R N .

BUILDINGS WlTH C O M B U S T I B L E L I N I N G

I

I

1

I

I

I

I

.

.

I:...' I - I

-

-

C A R B O N M O N O X I D E

MEAN OF THREE READINGS

-

---

MEAN OF TWO READINGS

...

ONLY ONE READING

0 4 8 12 16 2 0 2 4 28 32 T l M E I N MINUTES 0 0 4 8 I 2 16 2 0 24 28 32 T I M E I N M I N U T E S r

I

I

-

-

-

O X Y G E N

-

MEAN OF THREE READINGS-

----

MEAN OF TWO READINGS

...

b . . ONLY ONE READING

-

F I G U R E

17

M E A N C O N C E N T P A T I O N S OF CARBON MONOXIDE AND O'XYGEN IN ( A ) OPEN BEDROOM ( B ) CLOSED BEDROOM AND ( C ) C E L L A R OF

B L I I L D I N G S L I N E D W l T H C O M B U S T I B L E M A a r E R I , A L

BUILDINGS W l T H NONCOMBUSTIBLE L I N I N G 1.6

I

I :

I

I

I

I

I

:: C A R B O N M O N O X I D E

.-

.:

MEAN OF THREE READINGS

-

/;

.

- --

t - MEAN OF TWO READINGS

....

;

i

;,:'

: a.

...

ONLY ONE READING

,---/

0.

.

..

: / 5'

....

/ I

....

...

_**.

...

...

0 4 8 12 16 2 0 2 4 28 3 2 T I M E I N MINUTES 0 0 4 8 12 I 6 2 0 2 4 28 3 2 T I M E I N M I N U T E S

I

I

I

I

I

...

_{... ...*...}

_-

. .

_**.

*.

O X Y G E N **. *.

-

MEAN OF THREE READINGS

----0 MEAN OF TWO READINGS

',.'\,

_\

""""" ONLY ONE READING

-

'

.

.

\

'.

-

-

-

I

I

I

f

I

I

I

1

F I G U R E

I8

M E A N C O N C E N T R A T I O N S OF CARBON MONOXIDE AND OXYGEN I N ( A )

OPEN BEDROOM ( 8 ) CLOSED BEDROOM AND ( C ) C E L L A R OF B U I L D I N G S L I N E D W l T H I N C O M B U S T I B L E M A T E R I A L

APPENDIX A

Readings o b t a i n e d on oxygen and oarbon monoxide c o n c e n t r a t i o n s i n the c l o s e d bedroom, open bedroom, and c e l l a r of e a c h o f t h e s i x d w e l l i n g s during the

"st.

Lawrenoe ~ u r n s " .

ST- LAWRENCE BURNS GAS ANALYSIS

B u i l d i n g No. 1

9

January

1958

Time Closed Bedroon: Open Bedroom C e l l a r MinSec $ C O $ 0 2 0 00 0 .OO 20.9 0.00 20.9 0 30 0.00 20.9 0.00 1 00

o

-00 1 30

o

,OO 20.9

f

0.00 20.8 0-02 2 00 0.00 2 30 0.01 0.03 0.13 20.3

19-7

16

-5

5

00

5

30

17.3

6

00

6

30 8 30

9

00

9

30 10 00 10 30 11 00 11 30 12 00

0-65

13-7

d o +,

.

12 30

0.66

o OBP 0.70

13.1

l e 5 d C l n @k

.

0-76

12.7

,

5 a 0.80 12.5

a z g

111

30 0

-79

4 0 a>- P NOTE

-

_{h o r n}

5;

=

l h a surement 8

sgg

d i s c o n t i n u e d . Sampling l i n e

_;

c u t o f f by B firo. o zi

6

05

NOTE

-

No r e a d i n g s obtained. Sampling l i n e c u t o f f by g r a s s f i r e .

O.l5+

I

_15.5

, 10.1

7.1

ST* LAWRENCE BURNS GAS ANALYSIS

-

Building No,

3

January 1958

Time Min See

o

00 0 30 1 00 1 30 2 00 2 30

3

00

2

2:

4

30

5

00

2

2:

6

30

7

00 7 30 8 00 8 30

9

00

9

30 10 00 10 30 11 00 11 30 12 00 1 2 30

13

00

3

20"

14

30

15

00

15

30

16

00

16

30

17 00

17

30

18

00 18 30 Closed

%

CO 0.00 0.00 0 eOO 0.00 0 mO0 0.02

o

*02 0.03 0.11 0

.25

0.48 0.70 0.95 1.21 1.50

I

l a e o

?6

:;

16

16.2 16.0

16.1

16.3

16.

16*<

16.3

16.3

Bedroom

%

O2 20.9 20.9 20.9 20.5

19.5

18.3 17.2

16.1

114.9

13.6 13.0 13 e l

13.1

12.9 12.8 5.8

6

.o

Opon

$ c o

0.00 0

.oo

0.00

o .oo

0.00

o

.

15

0

a147

1.30 Bedroom $ 0 , 20.9 20.8 17.8

7

*6

%

CO 0

.Icz

0

a45

::$8

0. 2

o

.66

0.72 0.81 0.90 0.98

1.04

1.

d+

1.24

::p

1. 47 C e l l a r

%

02 d 19.8

19.5

19

*3

19.

1 18.7

18.4

18.2

17

*9

17

*4

17

02

Building N O O

4

S T l LAInmENCE BURNS GAS ANALYSIS

15

January

1958

Time Min Soc

.o

00 0 30 1 00 1 30 2 00 2 30

3

00

2

2:

4

30

5

30

6

00

6

30

7

00

7 3 0

8

00 8 30

9

00

9

30 10 00 10 30 11 00 11 30 1 2 00 12

30

15

00

15

30

16

00

16

30 17 00

17

30

18

00 18 30

19

00

19

30 20 00 20 30 2 1 00 21 30 Closed Bedroom I

%

CO

%

o2

C e l l a r

$

co

_$

_O2 Opon

%

CO No determinations made Bedroom

%

0, 20.9 20.8 20.4

14.5

1002

9.1

900 9.0 902 10

03

10.8 11

08

9.6

6.6

0.00 O o O O O oOO 0 ,OO 0.00 O o O O 0.01 0017 0.55 0.91 1.11 1020 1.22 1.24 102 0 l o

15

1.10 1.08 1010 1.07 1-02

0.98

0 0 9 5 0.8 O e 8 2 1.23

0094

1.9

oooo

0.00 O o O O O o O O 0 000 0 .OO 0 000 0.00 0001 0.02 0.05 0.07 0.10

0.13

0.15 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.21 0 ,22 0.25 0.28

0.31

0. 0.50 0.60

o

,68

0079

0.89 1.03 1.18 20.9 20.8 20.8 20.8 20

19.9

19

04

19.0 18.7

18.4

18 .O

17

04

16

.9

16

-2

15.5

14.8

14.4

13

.z

13

13.3

12 l2

2

l 1 2 02 11. l1

02

11 02 lo 10

02

l 10.4 1001

ST. LAVfRENCE BURNS

----

GAS ANALYSIS

--

B u i l d i n g No.

5

₁₆

January 1958 Time Min Sec

o

00 0 30 1 00 1 30 2 (10 2 30

3

00

i

;:

4

30

5

00

2

2:

6

30

7

00 7 30 Closed

%

G O 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 ,OO 0.00 I 0.00 O e 0 1 0.03

0 ~ 1 5

0.20

o

.65

0.97

~ 5 . o

Open

s&

CO

o,oo

0.00 1 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.06 0.41

1.50

- Bedroom

%

o2

---

20.9 20.9 20.9 20.9

1 . 5

17 *7

16.7

15.1

13

*5

8

00

1

8 30

9

00

9

30 10 00 10 30 11 00 11 30 12 00 12 30

13

00 ,

g

20"

4

30

15

00

15

30

16

00

16

30

17

00

17

30 10 00

18

30

19

00 Bedroom -7

-%

0, 20.9 20.9 20.5 1 2

e 3

2.7

%

CO 0,

"'b

0.

5

0.81 0.70 0 e70 0.75 0.79 0.83 0.87 0.93

o

.q8 0*97 0

*97

0.98

Oe99

0.99 1.00 1.02 1*12 1 2

.3

12.3 . C e l l a r

%

O2

-

20.4 20.3

19.9

19

07

19.5

:!:%

1

.8

18.4

17.9

17 07

17.6

17.3

17

*2 1 l a

*9

16

,5

Z:?

12

e9

1.32

1.5-1-

11.3

9.7

ST, LAWRENCE BURNS

GAS ANALYSIS