Comparison of fire hazards from burning of some selected natural materials and plastics

A zone model was used to evaluate fire hazards from burning plastics [polyurethane foam, foamed polystyrene (PSS), poly(vinyl chloride)] and natural materials (wood, cotton, flax). Fire hazard parameters are: temperature, rate of temperature rise, position of smoke zone. Fire was assumed to develop in a room 100 m(2) in area and 400 m(3) in volume equipped with two vents 12 m(2) in total area. Maximum area of fire is reduced to 20 m(2) Computer calculations revealed that the temperature of the smoke zone is higher with burning plastics than that with natural materials; higher is also the rate of temperature increase. The highest temperature of the fire zone occurs with PSS (993 degrees C) and the lowest with cotton (195 degrees C). The highest rate of temperature increase has been observed for PVC (5.84 degrees C/s) and the lowest one for cotton (1.96 degrees C/s). The highest fire hazards are provoked by foamed polystyrene and the lowest by cotton.