Document mpd23p49prdGXwDYROvO7OmGZ

minutes l , ____________ _ AD HOC COMBUSTIBILITY COMMITTEE DEC Ml ii 6 1976 R N WHEtLbf R Sheraton-Hopkins Inn Cleveland, Ohio Wednesday, November 10, 1976 10;00 A,M, _____ ACTION SUMMARY 1. The group discussed the need for studies to Identify the specific toxicology hazards of PVC combustion products. 2. They identified the need to communicate facts about PVC's unique characteristics as well as to develop hazards assistance with PVC combustibility products to the public and health officials. 3. The group reconanended formation of a PVC Fire Safety committee to carry on its activities. 4. They considered the question as to whether the new committee should be under the sponsorship of the present VCM and PVC Producers Group or form as a separate operating group. ATTENDEES - Ray Abramowitz, Hooker Chemicals & Plastics, River Roadm Burlington, N.J. 08016 W. R. Axtell, Ethyl Corp. P. 0. Box 341, Baton Rouge, La 70821 Joseph D. Banzer, Diamond Shamrock, P. 0. Box 3^6, Painesville, Ohio 44077 0. Paul Cohen, Great American Chemical Co., 650 Water St. Fitchburg, Mass 01420 W. C. Douglas, General Tire & Rubber Co. One General Street, Akron, Ohio 44022 Larry K. Hunt, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. 142 Goodyear Blvd. Akron, Ohio 44316 D. H. Hunter, Tenneco, Turner Place, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854 D. L. Kent, B. F. Goodrich Chemical Co., 6100 Oak Tree Blvd. Cleveland, Ohio 44131 Bob Laundrie, General Tire & Rubber Co., One General St., Akron, Ohio 44329 John R. Lawrence, SPI, 355 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017 G. J. Mantell, Air Products & Chemicals, P, 0. Box 538, Allentown, Pa 18105 Gene McLoughlin, Hill & Knowlton, 633 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 Michael M. O'Mara, B. F. Goodrich, P. 0. Box 122, Avon Lake, Ohio 44012 Russell A. Park, Firestone Plastics Co., Box 699, Pottstown, Pa. S. V. Parikh, Stauffer Chemical Co., 216 DuPont Avenue, Newburgh, N. Y. 12550 Dick Savage, Goodrich Chemical Co. 6100 Oak Tree Blvd. Cleveland, Ohio 44131 Eugene Skiest, Borden Chemical, 5U Lancaster Street, Leominster, Mass 01453 James Tanzilli, B. F. Goodrich Chemical Co. 6100 Oak Tree Blvd. Cleveland, Ohio R. N. Wheeler, Union Carbide Corp., P. 0. Box 8004, S. Charleston, WV 25303 THE SOCIETY OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY, INC. 355 Lexington Avenue New York, N.Y. 10017 (212) 573-9400 ucc 008665 1. Mr. Lawrence opened the meeting with a brief background leading to the call for this meeting to discuss appropriate action in the area of FVC combustibility. This was followed by self introductions by those in attendance. 2. Dick Savage gave additional background on the purpose of this meeting saying that the FVC combustibility problem was an industry-wide one that all responsible companies involved with PVC and its precussors should respond to. He indicated that unlike the VCM problems that initiated specific programs within government agencies, that there is an opportunity for the industry to take corrective action on the FVC combustibility issue before restrictive regulations may be placed upon PVC. 3. Dan Kent made a presentation to define the problems associated with the burning of FVC based on his activities in the area. The complete content of his presentation is included as Attachment "A" in the material up to and including "Legal Community". 4. Dr. O'Mara reviewed the status of FVC combustion toxicology, going into considerable detail as to the gasses that are known to be released, the results of animal toxicology, work by foreign researchers and the role of FVC combustion products in the studies being sponsored by SPI's CCCS committee at the Universities of Utah and Michigan. It was made clear that although considerable information is known about the hazards of FVC combustion products, there are as many unknown factors. 5. Mr. Kent then reviewed the Recommendations and Options that might be available for the industry to take on the PVC combustibility question. (see Attachment A). 6. After considerable discussion, it was generally agreed that there should be an ongoing program to investigate PVC combustibility matters. It was moved by Ray Abramowitz that: A FVC Fire Safety Committee should be formed to pursue activities related to the technical and public relations aspects of the combustibility of FVC. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. 7. A task force was appointed to develop a suggested program for this FVC Fire Safety Committee if its organization is approved by the VCM and FVC Producers Group or elsewhere within SPI. This task force was made up of the following: Messrs. Kent, Mantell, Wheeler Banzer, Axtell, Cohen -2- ucc 008666 8. The meeting adjourned at 3 P.M Attachments 11/23/76 Respectfully submitted. U- n K v/ John R. Lawrence Technical Director UCC 008667 ATTACHMENT A AGENDA PVC/VCM PRODUCERS GROUP AD HOC COMMITTEE ON COMBUSTIBILITY Sheraton Hopkins Inn Toronto Room Cleveland _______ Self Introductions Wednesday, Nov.10,1976 10:00 A.M-___________________ Introductory Comments .......................................................................................................... r. d. Savage J. R. Lawrence PVC Combustibility Problem................................................................... D. L. Kent why we think the industry should be interested.. What is the impact of the problem?.................................... Is it a problem an industry group can handle or should handle? ................................................................................. Review of PVC Combustion Toxicology .......................................... M. M. O'Mara Recommendations on Problem Approach .......................................... D. L. Kent M. M. O'Mara Discussion ................................................................................................................ Group Conclusions ............................................................................................................. Group Adjournment ucc 008668 meeting TO: VCM AND PVC PRODUCERS GROUP AD HOC COMBUSTIBILITY COMMITTEE SPI SUBJECT: THE NEED FOR A PVC INDUSTRY GROUP TO RESPOND TO THE COMBUSTIBILITY ISSUE Sheraton-Hopkins Inn Toronto Room Cleveland10:00 A. M. Wednesday, Nov. 10, 1976 Introduction This report will illustrate the kind of combustibility prob lems the PVC industry is facing. It will describe the concerns of the influentials, such as the fire community, code officials, etc., and how these impinge upon the problem. It will conclude with a recommendation that the PVC industry take concerted action. Rationale Plastics comprise a group of materials derived largely from petroleum--oil and natural gas. Because these man-made materials are organic in nature--as are wood, paper, cotton, etc.--they will burn if sufficient heat is applied. Some organic materials ignite easily and burn quickly, others are more difficult to ignite, but all will generate smoke and all will emit toxic gases when either smoldering or burning. Some char acteristics of burning, such as ignition, flame spread and smoke generation can be modified to a degree when dealing with man-made materials (plastics). However, this process is only a relative one for we have not been able to convert or modify "plastic"materials that are combustible into a non-combustible. The role of plastics in the built environment has increased enormously in the past 25 years and they are increasingly involved in fires. Concurrently, the role of plastics as a fire hazard to occupants and to fire fighters has now become an issue of national importance. The above, which can be expressed in many different ways, is the rationale for the current industry endeavor in this area and for the work which is going on by various agencies, universities, and even by the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration. UCC 008669 -2- industrv Programs It is appropriate, therefore, for the industry to review the effort it has made, examine ongoing programs, determine what industry goals should be, and establish long-range programs to meet these goals. This is being done in meetings with the SPI Combustibility Issue Coordinator, with the Coordinating Committee on Consumer Safe ty (CCCS), with the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), with the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration (NFPCA), with federal agencies such as FAA, DOT and HUD, and with various univer sities where specific and special programs are in progress. Certain plastic materials have come under special scrutiny and have been identified as presenting special problems. Foremost, has been the foamed polyurethanes and polyvinyl chloride. By force of the FTC consent agreement, the polyurethane manufacturers formed the "Urethane Safety Group". This group in the last four years has done a remarkable job of technical investigation and public relations to turn a serious negative position into one of credibility and positive ness with the result that rigid polyurethanes last year had an upbeat performance of a 15 percent increase in sales in a year when most ma terials sales declined, or at best showed only a minor or modest in crease. It now appears appropriate for the PVC industry to review its position in the combustibility area when there is still time for it to anticipate and initiate on its own a positive endeavor. To wait longer may invite a "forced" program or result in a position vastly more difficult than that which we face today. It isn't necessary to belabor the point that PVC is already under a black cloud as present ing a health hazard, but it does seem appropriate to list some of the negative views that exist as to how its combustibility characteristics are viewed. Fire Community The opinion research conducted by Research Strategies Corpora tion for SPI has one section called "Plastics as a Fire Hazard". Most of the opinions in this section were solicited from fire chiefs. Toxic fumes given off when plastics burn are by far the most frequently mentioned fire hazard other than the combustibility of plastic. Most of the applications considered as presenting problems involved PVC-- (wiring, furniture, ducts, pipe and flooring). One chief phrased their concern succinctly when he said: UCC 008670 -3- , "The plastics industries should be doing much more testing to make plastics more resistant to fire. They should be slower burning and less toxic. This research may be expensive, but in the long run, it would be a bet ter, safer world because plastics are our biggest concern and worry when we fight fires. It is unpredictable. It is deadly. It is unreliable. Most people in a fire do not burn to death. Toxic gases kill them. There is enough plastic in the room we- are in now to give enough toxic fumes, if we had a fire, to kill every person in this eight-story building. That is how deadly the toxic fumes areI" If this is what the firemen believe, this is what we must cope with whether we believe it or not! Fire chiefs may be considered activists on the subject of the fire hazards of plasticsj most of them selected four items they felt w re needed to help control the problem: * legislation prohibiting hazardous materials in public buildings * complete prohibition of hazardous construction materials in any building * stricter enforcement of building codes . improved education on combustibility of plastics Research Toxicologists Research physiologists and toxicologists worldwide have included PVC in most of their biological studies. As a result, PVC has been identified as a material emitting unusual combustion products with un usual toxicity characteristics. Until recently we maintained the posi tion that HC1 was the major combustion product of PVC, and thus we were dealing with a situation simply involving a primary irritant. The more recent work alluded to above has now developed data which indicates that the combustion products from PVC -- will cause lung edema -- will cause lung hemorrhage UCC 008671 ,x\. x -l . *. ***. -w. ,, - -4- -- will cause a change in blood ph - acidosis -- will cause a change in behaviour patterns (neurotic) -- will cause gross pathological changes --- there is some evidence of epithelial or tissue changes (carcinogenic) Medical Community As a result of these animal studies, the medical profession has now become concerned and is investigating the effect of combus tion products, especially of plastics and specifically of PVC, on fire fighters. Recently, the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration distributed a new study titled Fire Fighter Mortality Report done by the International Association of Fire Fighters under the sponsorship of the National Bureau of Standards, The 15-month study investigated the death of 101 fire fighters in the line of duty. The following is excerpted from a section where combustion products of plastics are implicated in heart attacks. In recent years the medical community has shown that there is a relationship between smoke inhalation and heart disease. Carbon monoxide has been the most commonly thought of toxic fume affecting the heart; how ever, in recent years with the increased use of plasticbased materials in construction and household products, fire fighters have been faced with even more deadly fumes given off by burning plastic. The most common of these plastics is polyvinyl chloride, which with its thermal degradation results in the formation of at least 75 identifiably potential toxic compounds. The inhalation of carbon monoxide and other toxic fumes contribute to the development, and irritation in existing conditions, of arteriosclerosis." "It is assumed that during their careers as fire fighters, most of the victims were exposed to and in haled toxic fumes other than carbon monoxide. There are two cases in which there is a direct relationship between the inhalation of fumes, given off by burning plastic and the fatal heart attack. In Case 14 the fire fighter was subjected: to fumes from a burning bean bag chair (vinyl UCC 008672 -5- bag .stuffed with bits of styrofoam) and in case 56 the fire fighter inhaled fumes from a burning plastic cur tain. Both fire fighters showed delayed reactions of several hours - to the fumes. Shortly after these incidents, both men developed respiratory problems fol lowed by heart disease." "A special hazard that occurs during overhaul is that concrete retains a great amount of heat and releases fumes throughout the operations. Recent tests showed "highly toxic concentrations of hydrogen-chloride to be present in concrete for as long as one hour after the fire has been extinguished." There were three heart at tack cases (Case 12, 19 and 81) in which the fire fighter either took off his mask during overhaul or entered the building for the first time, and without a mask, during overhaul operations." The concern of the medical profession regarding PVC combustion products has also been communicated to the general public through medical columns and syndicated articles in daily newspapers, with special reference to the article by Victor Esch, M.D., and Robert Dyer, M.D., entitled "Polyvinyl Chloride Toxicity in Fires", JOUR NAL OF AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, January 26, 1976. ' Legal Community All of this negative information is beginning to build pressurein the legal area and it is here where the industry will find itself forced to take action if it wants to protect and develop its markets. Without going into detail, it is sufficient to simply point out that certain federal agencies that specify materials, such as HUD, DOT and FAA, and other agencies representing and protecting consumer rights such as FTC and CPSC are all considering restrictions on the use of PVC because of smoke, toxic gases, and its possible adverse effect on life safety. Of specific impact is the action being taken by re gional and local codes wherein a material can be unequivocally banned from use. It is also important to be aware that the threat of civil suits is now more possible, and that an abstract of the Esch-Dyer article has already been published in TRIAL MAGAZINE, a publication for lawyers. UCC 008673 6- - Recommendations & Options (See Appendix) This discussion of concerns only hits the top of the waves, but it does serve to show that major influentials are critical of PVC. As this kind of information develops, it gets disseminated in ever-widening circles--it is sensational--it is news--and it is excellent material for competitive industries. In the meantime, the PVC industry has done only a very little to counteract it. Furthermore, almost all efforts have been defensive and most of the response has been fragmented. We can do one of three things. One, do nothing and hope the problem will go away (this is less than we are doing now). Two, continue our present approach, react in a defensive way when a problem emerges, i.e., react as individual companies or through certain groups within SPI. Or, three, have the PVC industry -take a leading role in anticipating and in developing a positive public relations and technical program. Summary The PVC industry must be made aware of all the facts. A com plete assessment should be made of the problems and problem areas. This should then be followed up by an assessment of what is being done and ask the question does this relate to the problems? At the same time, recommendations of what should be done must also be developed. ~ The PVC combustibility issue should be approached as an industry problem. While the industry literally sits still, it is constantly being attacked. The attack is straightforward. It goes like this: "PVC is a good material for its intended use, but in a fire situation it is BAD NEWS; Therefore, let's get rid of it and replace it with something else." The overriding problem is that PVC is developing a bad name and is being identified as a material detrimental to life, health and safety. Unless there is a concerted industry program (both technical ' and public relations), there will be no chance to effectively pro mote a positive image to important influentials like the fire com munity, regulators, specifiers, medical and legal community, news media, the general public and ultimately our customers. Further, there is no other way to effectively counteract the efforts of com petitive interests such as iron and steel, cast iron and wood. ucc 008674 -7- General Objectives of a PVC Industry Group Re: Combustibility 1.) Identify critical aspects of the combustibility problem and their significance. 2.) Design of a program to find solutions to these problems. 3.) Ultimately communicate positive results and findings to various audiences. DLK/em D. L. Kent ucc 008675 ACTIVITY DO NOTHING EXTRA. OPTIONS RATIONALE ALL MATERIALS ARE THE SAME. PVC IS NO WORSE THAN OTHER MATERIALS. OTHER INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY. HOW AND WHAT? CONTINUE CURRENT SPI EFFORTS (CCCS) AND INDIVIDUAL COM' PANY EFFORTS. SHOW, TELL & SELL ENOUGH INFORMATION AL- (A) FIRE COMMUNITY READY AVAILABLE BUT NEED (B) PUBLIC TO GET IT OUT. (C) MEDICAL-LEGAL PAC-PR FOR PVC. FUND OUTSIDE PR GROUP. INDIVIDUAL COMPAN IES MUST MAKE SAME ' COMMITTMENT. MEDI CAL - P.R. - LEGAL.' ADDED EFFORT AT H & K. CCCS - PVC SUB COMMITTEE CCCS ALREADY ORGANIZED TO FIRE PROBLEM. HAS A BROAD BASE OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE ALREADY THERE. PVC INDUSTRY ALLO CATE ADDITIONAL $ AND ADDITIONAL MAN POWER. UCC 008676 ACTIVITY NON CCCS-PVC COMMITTEE RATIONALE CURRENT CCCS EFFORT TOO DIFFUSE. PROBLEM ORIENTED NOT MATERIAL ORIENTED. CCCS MANDATE REQUIRES A GENERAL APPROACH TO PROBLEMS. PVC NEEDS ARE SPECIFIC. HOW AND WHAT? PVC INDUSTRY ALLO CATE $ AND MANPOWER. PVC-COMBUSTIBILITY IF PVC/VCM PRODUCERS GROUP SUB COMMITTEE OF ACCEPTS STEWARTSHIP CONCEPT- PVC/VCM PRODUCERS THEN COMBUSTIBILITY SUB COMMITTEE IS A NATURAL FUNCTION. $ AND MANPOWER UCC 008677 Operating Unit Profile -\0 USG: Concerned For Consumer Safety And Meaningful Standards Concern for consumer Noting that the principal sent agreement in 1974. safety was the prime moti emphasis of the group has Under the agreement, a vation in forming SPI's been in the area of com Product Research Commit Urethane Safety Group in June of 1972. The by'aws of the USG clearly state its objectives as follows: "(a) To constitute a group with in the Society representing the urethane industry, to foster intelligent regula tions, meaningful stan dards, and truthful com bustibility, Mr. Davis tee was established to co points out that USG has ordinate and manage a sponsored sixteen fire tests scientific research program of various configurations of on the combustibility of cel polyurethane foam assem- | lular plastics for a period of blies and control assem five years. It is financed by blies to determine their a $5,000,000 program fund combustibility behavior in provided by the assessment simulated industrial con of the respondents to the structions. agreement. munication looking toward safety for the consumer; (b) To assure that the ure thane industry is repres ented on matters before governmental agencies, industry and other con cerned groups as regards questions of urethane flammibility and the safe use of urethane products; (c) To collect statistics and other These tests have been conducted in the largescale corner wall facility of the Factory Mutual Re Objectives of the pro gram are: "(a) To deter mine the most effective manner for employing cel search Corporation, Nor lular plastics and systems wood, Mass. Specifically, containing such products to what the test includes is a minimize fire hazards in the facility 25 feet high with a final intended uses; (b) to , 40-foot fall and a 50-foot develop guidelines for the wall, roofed over. The igni effective use of such cel tion source is a 750-pound lular plastics; (c) To devel crib of wood, ignited in the op tests or the basis for data concerning the safe use of urethane; (d) To sup port and conduct research and testing programs re corner, producing tempera- | tures of over 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it a very severe test. standards, including largescale tests as well as methods by which the re sults of small-scale tests lated to the safe use of Results Published can be correlated to provide urethane." The tests have been con an index of the behavior of ducted with various types cellular plastics in various Forty Members flame barriers, both metal burning conditions, which For the past four years, and spray-on, and under tests accurately relate in the USG has been compos sprinklered and non* ed of approximately forty sprinklered conditions. Re- real fires." member companies and i suits of each series of tests operates under the direc | have been published and tion of a fifteen-member | widely distributed to foam Steering Committee. Day- , contractors, general con to-day operations are con tractors, architects, build ducted by a full time SPI ing owners, building instaff director, Arthur B. Mini-Corner Tests One aspect of fire testing criticized by the FTC was the use of small-scale tests. As a result of research work done by a USG member, Chiwis. ! spectors and the fire! The Upjohn Co., Factory "Irf the past four years, services. Mutual has reported USG has done considera Results of these corner achieving a high degree of ble large-scale fire testing wall tests have been instru correlation to large-scale of both rigid and flexible mental in development of burns with a mini-corner at urethane foams," reports new provisions on foam one-twelfth scale. Further Richard H. Davis, newly insulation that have been experimental work is now elected Chairman of the written into the national being done, and if it proves group. ``These testing model building codes. successful, the mini-corner programs, which arc con These provisions have been will permit the speeding-up tinuing, have assisted translated into many local of fire testing of solid and greatly in the development and state building codes. cellular plastics and other of building code provisions The Factory Mutual test building materials at less and guidelines on the safe results were also an impor cost than large-scale and proper uses of our pro tant factor in the delibera methods. ducts." Mr. Davis is man tions of the Federal Trade ager, Urethane Chemicals, Commission, in which the Dow Chemical Com twenty-five industry mem- pany, U.S.A. 1 bers and SPI signed a con UCC 008678 Similar important test work has been performed on flexible polyurethane foam, which is used for bedding and furniture, at the Rubber and Plastics Re search Association in the United Kingdom under the auspices of an inter company panel and the In ternational Isocyanate Institute, and at South west Research Institute in the United States under the sponsorship of the Ure thane Safety Group. Gener ally speaking, these tests studied ignition of cushion ing materials using cigar ettes, methanamine pills, newspaper and a multiple flame gas burner as igni tion sources. Ignition, flame spread and heat and smoke development data were compiled and analyz ed and gaseous combusion products of burning materi als identified. More recently, USG has been conducting discus sions with the Oil industry Association on the fea sibility of conducting tests on rigid spray-on poly urethane foam used to insulate huge tanks and pipelines. As test^nformation is developed, it is dis seminated for industry use. Status Report Basic to the USG infor mational effort has been a "Status Report" providing an overview of flexible and rigid polyurethane foams and safety considerations. The first companion to this document was a two-page bulletin titled "Fire Safety Guidelines for Rigid Poly urethane Foam Insula tion", containing informa tion on building code pro visions and additional guidance from the Ure thane Safety Group. This bulletin has been repub lished and quoted broadly in insurance publications, building code magazines, construction media and elsewhere. USG now has under development a set of fire safety guidelines for furniture manufacturers and reupholsterers that pertain specifically to flex ible polyurethane foam. Results of the Factory Mutual corner wall tests have been published in two bulletins, one on fire testing involving metal fac ings and the other involv ing spray-on thermal coatings. USG has also produced a sound and slide presenta tion based on the fire safety guidelines and building code provisions and has made it available to profes sional groups on a sale or lease basis. Seventy-five of the sets have been in circu lation and it is estimated to date that close to 20,000 professionals in the safety and combustibility fields have seen the presentation. More recently, USG has developed a second slide presentation which speaks directly to the concerns of firemen, and this is being made available to the fire services throughout the country. USG's most recent pub lication is a report prepared by the Stanford Research Institute summarizing the results of the flexible foam fire testing done at South west Research institute and in the United Kingdom. Using the slide presenta tions and other materials as the basis for a speaking tour, Mr. Chiwis has car ried the story bf urethane safety to meetings of ure thane contractors, firemen, insurance industry person nel, agricultural builders, and industrial tank engi neers. In recent months, industry representatives have been meeting with various state and federal officials concerned with a series of mattress fires started by prisoners in their cells or in prison storage areas. There is no doubt that since its inception, SPI's Ureihane Safety Group has become an effective indus try vehicle for promoting the safe use of urethane in the construction industry and educating governmen tal agencies, the fire com munity and urethane mar kets in regards to questions of flammibility. At the re cent annual meeting, it was pointed out that during j 1975, polyurethanes had done comparatively well for an off year, particularly in building insulation, where there was a 15 percent in crease in use despite a drop in construction as a whole. UCC 008679 FIRE RESEARCH: A Progress Report from the Plastics Industry JOHN A. BLAIR Chairman, Coordinating Committee on Consumer Safety The Sorn-iy of the Plastics Industry Based upon suggestions from inside and outside the in dustry, and in order to attack more directly mutual prob lems relating to fires and consumer safety, the technical programs of The Society of the Plastics Industry (SP1) have been altered to deal in a more direct manner with actualfire hazards that can he adequately defined. These programs are discussed in this article. About a year ago, Ralph Harding, President of The So ciety of the Plasties Industry, in his address to the Inter national Association of Fire Chiefs, cast out a challenge to the fire community. That challenge, in essence, stated: Tell us the needs, as you see them, and let us, in SPI, see how we might alter our present programs and/or establish new programs to find answers to those needs. The response has been rapid and thoughtful. Indi vidual members of many groups have contributed: the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Na tional Fire Prevention and Control Administration (N'FPCA), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the Fire Marshals Association of North America (FMANA), the International Society of Fire Service In structors (ISFSI), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Interna tional Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), the Fac tors' Mutual Research Corporation (FM), (he American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the American Institute of Architects (AlA), the University of Utah, the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), the University of Michigan, Harvard University, and many others. Based upon the responses, \ve in the plastics industry are placing increased emphasis, in our programs, on Mr Blair is Senior CunMiltaiU fur The llu Punt Company. dealing with hazards of actual fire situations. To do so ef fectively, we are concentrating on know n hazards and/or hazards that can reasonably be expected. Hazard analyses provide the guidance for our programs -- for only when the problem has been adequately defined can we develop the proper solution. The responses have been so meaningful, and so much interest has been shown, that we have asked for and received the help ofrepresentatives from various organi zations to direct some of our programs. In fact, three of our newest and most important programs are being de veloped and administered by members of nonindustry groups, including the NFPA, NFPCA, IAFC, IAFF, h MANA, ISFSI, the California Fire Marshals and Fire Chiefs, and ICBO, with the SPI mainly supplying part or all of the funds. Our own analysis and evaluation to date indicates that we must develop proper scale tests that will lead to con trols for proven fire hazards in given product applica tions. This is also a principal concern of the Federal Trade Commission, as evidenced by the work of its Product Research Committee. Therefore, we are putting our greatest efforts into large-scale testing and trying to produce correlative results in smaller scale, rather than simply trying to improve such existing small-scale tests as ASTM D 635 and D 1692 and/or adding "let-theuser-beware" caveats. While caveats are required and may be appropriate in some cases, they really should be used only as a backstop until proper solutions are found. F1BE JOURNAL -- NOVEMBER 1976 57 UCC 008680 Our method of operation is to work on a mutual basis with all interested groups, reviewing all programs underway in the United States and Canada, and then to provide financial and/or technical support to those that have the most pertinent programs underway. If we de termine that there is a need for additional effort in a specific area, we then consider initiating a specific SPI program. We have found this overall cooperative ap proach to be the most effective in producing the best results toward consumer safety in the shortest period of time. This approach minimizes duplication of effort and provides communications and discussions from the start, tending to reduce the time span between the end of experimentation and adoption of an adequate standard. Hie IAFI* and the NBS published an excellent and comprehensive report on fire-fighter mortality in May 1976. And of course, one of the most comprehensive programs of data collection is the National Electronic Injury Surveillance Systems (NEISS) used by the Con sumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Data relat ing to fabrics are included in the Flammable Fabrics Accident Case and Testing Systems fFFACTS), de veloped at NBS and now maintained by the CPSC. The SPI wholeheartedly supports these efforts on data accumulation and encourages additional work now underway to imp'rove the overall quality of detailed re porting. The major approach to combustibility research by the Work within the SPI program that specifically relates plastics industry is comprised of three steps: to this area of data collection includes the following: 1) Hazard analysis to attempt to determine all possi ble fire hazards; 2) Evaluation of the data to determine which hazards may be "unreasonable hazards" that warrant major ac tion; and 3) Research to develop effective measurement and control methods for the defined major hazards. Rased on the results of this three-step approach, the plasties industry may modify its products, work for changes in standards or codes, or provide safe-use in structions and other information for consumers. Some times a combination of all three measures is required. HAZARD ANALYSIS A complete and technically sound analysis of the hazard is essential for any program aimed at true con sumer protection. The problems must be properly de fined first, if adequate solutions are ever to be found. For example, a slab of low-density foamed material lying in the center of a playing field cannot be envisioned as a hazard, except perhaps as a minor tripping hazard. On the other hand, that same low-density foam applied ex posed to the ceiling of a nightclub (to make it look like a cave) where the occupancy may be high, the possible ignition sources numerous, and exits limited, can truly present an "unreasonable hazard." Anal> sis of hazards must first Ik* based upon a techni cally sound compilation of data, including case histories. The N'FPA has always been first and foremost with lire statistics. Not only does it issue statistics on 30,000 fires, but it also makes compilations to indicate important trends. 1) A proposed program conducted jointly by the Har vard University School of Public Health, the NFPCA, the Boston Fire Department, and the SPI that will analyze combustion gases at more than 100 actual fires to determine what products of combustion are being pro duced and whether they may present major hazards to either fire fighters or occupants. This excellent program, developed by Dr. William Burgess of Harvard, would be financed by the NFPCA and the SPI. The fire gas sam ples would be obtained at the fire location hy members of the Boston Fire Department and subsequently analyzed at Harvard. Cases would he collected hy in struments worn hy the fire fighters (luring their first entry at the fire scene and also during cleanup opera-Uons. These would be analyzed for carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride, aldehydes (acrolein), etc., and their concentrations determined. In addition, the major combustible materials involved in each fire would be reported. A formal proposal has been submitted by Harvard to NFPCA and SPI for funding this program. 2) An independent "toxicity review" conducted with top personnel of key government, code, fire protection, and medical organizations, etc., through personal inter views. The objective of the review is to obtain a better "definition of the problem" and to adjust our programs accordingly. The review is expected to be completed during the last quarter of 1976, with any necessary changes in SPI programs corning hy the summer of 1977. 3) The loan of an SPI scientist to the NBS as a re search associate assigned by the NBS to the group whose responsibility is hazard analysis (analyzing fire statistics and causes). 4) The investigation of fires by independent consult ants who have had many years of investigative expeii- 5 f> ' PI UK JOURNAL--NOVEMBER 1976 | IA/N Ucc 008681 oi'icii. Such investigations sometimes become necessary when news reports implicate plastics. The investigations often show that plastics were* not involved, or that the material used was not installed in accordance with codes or good standard practice. 5) The funding of a fire injury incidence study lining conducted by Professor Irving Einliorn s group at the University of Utah. A detailed initial report presented in July 1975 at the University of Utah Polymer Conference series' analyzed 103 fires in Salt lake City. The data obtained were similar to national data on causes of fires. evaluation of hazards Programs should be aimed at the elimination of de fined "unreasonable hazards." Materials themselves cannot be correctly and technically defined as "hazard ous," but must be evaluated in their specific end use. They can become hazardous only in respect to the de gree of risk involved in the use of a material in a specific application. Many of the most hazardous situations result from the misuse of a material -- that is, a use that is outside the original intent of the material supplier or fabricator. For example, common unmodified cellular foams are not intended to be used as a sprayed-on deco ration, applied to and left exposed on the ceilings of a nightclub. The plastics industry usually finds it difficult to obtain true findings of "unreasonable hazards" regarding its specific products. While data lead us to believe that mis use of cigarettes, alcohol, matches, gasoline, firecrac kers, guns, etc., creates at least a severe degree of hazard, what is the true extent of hazards for items such as furniture stuffed with foam, and occasional furniture or kitchen cabinets made of plastics? It is confusing at times to our SPI technical groups when they observe that relatively weak action is being taken against known hazards such as ignition sources (cigarettes, matches, cigarette lighters) or extremely flammable materials such as gasoline, etc. Yet there are a few who would indiscriminately ban the use of polyvinylchloride (PVC) in electrical conduit -- "due to the hy drogen chloride toxicity problems."To date, there has not been one substantiated reported death, proven bv autopsy, related to hydrogen chloride produced by combustion of PVC. Loading toxicologists tell us that hy drogen chloride is so irritating that a human cannot physically remain in a room in which it exists in the 50 ppm range, and the dangerous levels for hydrogen 1 I N KiuliOfTi and Newman. Polymer Conference Series, Flam* malnhtv Research (VnU*r, University of Utah, julv 1975. chloride are generally above 2000 ppm.* While data ob tained to date indicate that hydrogen chloride is not an "unreasonable hazard" in ordinary fire situations, we are aware that special care should he taken if an imu.vnally heavy concentration of PVC is involved in a liu- - for example, in a telephone exchange or computer room. In this case, hydrogen chloride, being acidic, can contrib ute to irritation of the lungs, leading in severe eases to pulmonary edema generally one to three days following exposure. The same precautions should lx- taken in any situation where large quantities of a single material are present, such as a storeroom full of wool clothing (hat can produce large amounts of hydrogen cyanide when it burns. This is particularly important when the space is totally en closed. This is the situation as we see it to date; however, we are continually looking for and would appreciate any additional input based upon sound technical data. Five recent programs on the ev aluation of fire hazards appear to be extremely helpful. First is the excellent Fire Fighter Mortality Reporta that was done by the IAFF for the NBS. This in-depth, 165-page investigation of the in-line-of-duty deaths of 101 fire fighteis is an excellent example of hazard analysis. Forty-five of the 101 cases were related to heart attacks (which were brought on by: a) exposure to smoke/toxic fume inhala tion, b) stress, and c) overexertion). Tlic Report con cluded that: "The case investigations have uncovered numerous problems of fire fighter's health and safety which require immediate attention. Solutions to several of the problems are evident. ..." Because of the perti nent information presented, this Report should be "must reading" for each of us in the fire community. But the Report itselfis only the beginning. While the Report lists only two deaths directly related to toxic fume inhalation, toxic fames -- particularly carbon monoxide, with its ef fect on the oxygen-carrying capability of the blood -- must be considered as a factor in many of the 45 heart attack cases and in the nine cases attributed to smoke inhalation. The Report emphasizes that fire fighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus "in all fire situations." The second good example of hazard analysis is the report "Fire Death Scenarios and Firesafcty Planning,"4 developed by the NBS and the NFPA. This report dis cusses the use of fire scenarios and lists the 14 top fire 1 ; Ilfiitk-rvHi :ui(l II W ItufU'ard, Vdiioim <-avv Si-min! Kill turn (American Chemical Society, Mumti'iapti \ V>, 1043) 3 Thoinfo HaLutoff. F&r Fighter Mortality Hrparl. prndt" <1 h\ tin InU-maiKMUil Association of Fire Fighter* for the N^timud Hnt<Mti <i( Standards, May 1976. 4 K. B Clarke. MI and John Otlmon. "Kirc Death Scenarios .md Fircsafetv Planning" HUE JOIKNal, Vo|. 70, Xu 3(May JQTtii. p 20 FIRE JOURNAL -- NOVEMBER 1976 59 ucc 008682 scenarios that account for G6 percent of the fire deaths in the United .States. Key conclusions of the reixirt include the facts th.it: a) 27 percent of all fire deaths are related to fires in residential furnishings caused hy cigarettes and other smoking materials: It) 5-1 percent of all resi dential fires involved the ignition of furnishings (one-half of them in mattresses aml/or bedclothes; one-half in up holstered furniture); ami c) nil scenarios involving 2 |>ercent or more of the fire deaths occur in the home. This report provides us with many important points. A third example of good hazard analysis is the study conducted by Dr. Radford and others at the Johns Hop kins University Applied Physics Laboratory,* where the survey of 206 fire deaths in Mary land (from 1971 to 1974) showed definite carbon monoxide poisoning in 50 per cent of the deaths. In 52 percent of the deaths, the cause of the fire was a cigarette or other smoking material. Dr. Radford further explains the extreme hazards of carbon monoxide. If an adult is exposed to a 5 percent concen tration of carbon monoxide, which may frequently be encountered in fire situations, it will take only % to 1V4 minutes to reach ,a 50 percent carlroxyhemoglobin con centration in the blood. Compared to carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide is very soluble and will be taken up by body fluids. Dr. Radford indicates that for that reason, it is "probably relatively rare" to have a concentration of hydrogen cyanide in a fire sufficiently large to cause significant injury. Irritant gases such as aldehydes, on the other hand, will have an immediate effect because they become concentrated in the lungs, instead of being distributed throughout the body. As a fourth example, Dr. Zikria of the ColumbiaPresbvterian Medical Center of New York City has done some excellent studies relating to the cause of death after arrival of the fire victim at the hospital. This work prosides information on how gases and heat cause re spiratory burns, and on injuries caused by inhalation of smoke and fumes -- including carbon monoxide, al dehydes, and acidic and basic gases. Dr. Zikria's work has also involved studies with the irritating aldehydes in wood, specifically acrolein. Dr. Zikria has previously stated that: "It is likely that the agents causing tracheo bronchial and pulmonary parenchymal damage of smoke poisoning in man are also the aldehydes which are found in large quantities in smoke and combustion of wood, cotton. Furniture, and nonsynthetic structural mate rials." This type of investigation is important in regard to * Edward P Raillonl. `CO h Still Wortl of Lethal Gates. Fire Cwiahies Seminar iacarns/' Fire En^inevrine,, Veil, 128. No. 9 (Sep* tcmlver 1975), p 31- 6 B A. Zikria. ot al . "A Clinical View of`Smoke Poisoning,' " a pitper kloeii at Pin sinlottical and Toxicological Asjk?cU of Combustion Products an International held March 18-20. 1974, at the Unnemh of Utah. (Published In the National Academy of Sciences, Wu-shinuloii. 1) (;. in 1976)- 60 FIRE JOURNAL -- NOVEMBER 1976 the possible damage caused hy the more unusual of gases produced during fire situations. , Professor Kiuhorn's group at the Uuiveisity ol'U'lal,' ,s evaluating additional independent data based upon i|,,. Kiie Injury Surveys. This program is pl:U mg ik , emphasis on the physiological and toxicological e||,.( ^ ((f combustion products. All five of these studies provide os with some denis which to lake immediate action. It is evident that toxirik is a major problem. There are so many unknown factors relating to toxicity, whereas the characteristics of iguition, heat release, and flame spread are defined more easily. All combustible materials (cotton, wool, wmxl, etc., as well as synthetics) present a hazard in regard to the toxicity of combustion products when involved in a fire situation. All of these materials produce carlxm monoxide, which is the major .cause of fire deaths. Fur thermore, additional gases such as acrolein (wood), hy drogen cyanide (wool and urethanes), and hydrogen chloride (polyvinylchloride) may be produced. It is es sential, therefore, that we determine whether these or any other materials may present an "unreasonable hazard." For this reason, a major part of fhe research effort lieing conducted by many groups, as well as hy the SPI, is at present aimed at developing a testing metluxi for evaluating materials and the toxicity of their combus tion products in order to determine which, if any, of them may present an "unreasonable hazard." Within the SPI; 1) the principal job of hazard evalua tion is conducted by the Coordinating Committee on Consumer Safety (CCCS), which is comprised of repre sentatives of 20 operating divisions concerned with vari ous categories of plastics products. This Committee, which meets quarterly, assembles information on hazard analysis, searches out potential problems, reviews ongo ing research, and determines directions for new re search. Research programs may be conducted directly under the supervision of the Committee or by one of the operating divisions. 2) At the request of the National Bureau of Standards, the SPI lias been supplying it with commercially sig nificant materials for toxicitv review and hioscreening of combustion products. This program, funded hy the NBS, has to date evaluated at (he Flammability Research Center of the University of Utah nearly 1-10 samples of materials with and without flame-retardant additives. Included are polyurethane foam (rigid and flexible), polyvinylchloride, polystyrene (expandable and rigid), polyolefins, and polyesters, 'finis far, there has been no reported indication that any of these com mercially significant materials presents an "unreasonable hazard" when subjected to heat or combustion. 7 Set- page 59 of tlm article. UCC 008683 RESEARCH EFFORTS Technical development efforts on combustibility are continuing at several locations, where many groups are now conducting full-scale testing. These include the NBS, Underwriters Lalxrratories Inc., Factors' Mutual, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Rubber and Plastics Research Association (RAPRA) of England, the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, the Southwest Research Institute (SWRI), the University of California, etc. A key effort on fire research by the Product Research Committee is now underway. This Committee, set up as a result of the 1974 Consent Agreement between the Federal Trade Commission. 25 plastics manufacturers, and the SP1, is spending $5 mil lion over a five-year period on fire research relating to cellular products. Recent reports of large-scale testing include such reports as Fire Hazards ofPlasties in Furni ture and Furnishings Fires in Furnished Rooms (Palmer, Taylor, and Paul, RAPRA, February 1976); and Flammability Studies of Cellular Plastics and Other Building Materials Used for Interior Finishes (Underwriters Lab oratories, 1975). Much of the concern in this area focuses on toxicity of combustion products, and one example of an important pertinent report is The Physiological and Toxicological Aspects of Combustion Products (International Sym posium of the National Academy of Sciences, 1976). Technical efforts of the SPI include the following: 1) A committee on Fire Services Full-Scale Testing has been developed that includes members of the California fire fraternity and the SPI. The purpose of this committee is to develop guidelines, rationale, proce dures, etc., for future full-scale testing -- including full-scale building burns. This committee is being di rected bv members of the California Fire Chiefs Associa tion, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the California State Fire Marshals, and the International Conference of Building Officials. Us concept, although ami>itious, has the potential to help identify the many dynamic variables in actual fire situations in multistory buildings. the NBS development of a radiant panel test for flooring and carpels, the extensive review of the funniuie mar kets with a view toward establishing fires.ilety guidelines for furniture manufacturing and material suppliers, the. development of the modified smoke density measure ment chamber, the refim incut of u method to measure the rate of heat release from materials, and the estab lishment of a rationale and (cvhnir|ue for the nnalvsis of combustion gases. 3) The NBS has stated that there is "no standard test method" available for adequate evaluation of hazards re lating to combustion products from burning materials. At the same time, however, the NBS announced -- as a projected target -- the development of a standard method for evaluating materials as an "unreasonable hazard with respect to toxicity of combustion products. Following development of such a method, a second phase will attempt to develop a more refined ami defini tive test for evaluations. The SPI now has two Research Associates at the NBS assisting in this important project. 4) One SPI Research Associate is assisting in an ag gressive NBS program aimed at designing and buijdinga new calorimeter for measurement of rate of heat release (BTU/min) -- a parameter considered by many to be important with respect to "flashover." The NBS reports that the design hies been completed. Installation and demonstration of the equipment is scheduled for 1977. 5) At the University of Michigan, (he SPI is conduct ing a joint program with the Manufacturing Chemists Association (MCA) to develop a system to evaluate the toxicity of combustion gases using a biosciecning tech nique (rats) response to death and/or incapacitation. The At riu Pnnl's Haskell ladmralorv lot rnstmlngv, tJi, j II Trmll (right) discusses with Dr K P lee. DVM. the loss of Imul leu him linn m exercised rat resultant from e.iilxm innmixide imlimit amnia F.xIX'riinentation of ihis lype is teii,i{ conducted in manv lalmralories to determine the effects ni products of cimihustion in (ires. 2^ Tbo second two-sear period of llie cooperative SPl-SBS Research Associate Program lias been initiated. Six mine scientists have been assigned to the Bureau to help develop firesafetv technology. The group contrib utes to investigation of such areas as ignition toxicity of combustion products, (fame spread, rate of beat release, and analysis of real fires. During the previous two years, the SPJ's first six Research Associates, who have now returned to their respective companies, contributed to ultimate aim is a system to determine which, if any, materials might present an unusual hazard. Considera ble progress toward this objective has been made. At present, die work is concentrating on improving the techniques user! in the past for determination of "in capacitation." Many of the old techniques (such as the tumble cage) require prior training of the rats and/or make it difficult to determine the point of incapacitation (falling versus sliding, etc.). A roto-rod technique shows good potential as being less subjective. 6) Eight full-scale tests have been conducted to de termine what type of fire protection is needed for Engineers at Factory' Mutual Research Corp. study installation ofloam plastic insulation in preparation for a fire test on large-scale comer wall. Such tests have been conducted for the plastics industry since 1972. warehousing of short life-cycle plastics (e.g., polyethylene bottles, foam trays and cartons, and poly styrene cups) commonly stored in commercial ware houses. Results of those tests, conducted at Factory Mutual, have demonstrated sound methods of storage configurations and sprinkler protection for plastics com modities. Additional tests are planned to further refine the information that is being provided to insurers, the fire service, aud standards-making groups. 7) The Urethane Safety Group has just published a new bulletin on four large-scale corner wall tests, con ducted at Factory Mutual, that involved spray-on ther mal coatings over spray-on polyurethane foams. Those tests followed 12 comer wall tests that involved exposed and metal-clad polyurethane foam panels and control materials..Some of the test materials were rated accept able by Factory Mutual and some failed, providing a great deal of guidance on sound applications. 8) The Plastics Pipe Institute of SP1 has sponsored a number of tests at the research facilities of Ohio State University and the University of California at Berkeley. These tests, based on ASTM test methock E 119, are designed to determine the effect of penetration with plastics pipe on fire-rated walls and floors. The data gathered thus for indicate that, when properly installed, plastics pipe will not reduce the endurance rating of fire-resistant construction, nor will it serve as a vehicle for the spread of fire through a structure. I1f1:1 !( I Jl&i Factory Mutual's lanse-seale comer wall is 25 feet high with 50-foot and 40-foot-lone walls Wall materials are tested in conditions simulating a factory installation. The fire source is a 750-pound crib ofwood general* mg temperatures of over 100CFF. 9) All Research Applied to National Needs (RANN) programs related to firesafety have been transferred to the National Fire Prevention and Control Administra tion by the National Science Foundation. One ongoing, significant, sophisticated program at the University of Utah involved bioscreening analysis of traditional mate rials (wood-cellulosic) and synthetics (PVC, urethane). The SPI funds all six graduate students who are working on this program. 10) Recently, the Expanded Polystyrene Block Molders Committee has been conducting fire tests of its products in a dwelling-size corner at Underwriters Lab oratories Inc. They also are conducting, at Faetoiy Mutual, large-scale warehousing tests on materials used ;is packaging insulation for appliances. 11) A fellowsViip has been awarded to Johns Hopkins University for the development of methodology on toxic ity, in conjunction with the NBS. 62 FIRE JOURNAL -- NOVEMBER 1976 12) Our work at the Southwest Research Institute (SWR1) has shifted to determination of the effects of den sity on the rate and quantity of off-gas evolution. This program is nearing conclusion. Although the program UCC 008685 In addition, SPI members are and have been par ticipating for many years, with many others in the fire community, in developing proper standards and build ing code provisions in recognition of the fact that fire is an enemy to all of us. It is becoming increasingly obvious that our abilities to control unwanted fires through design of materials and assemblies, while improving all the time, will never pro vide the total answer because combustibles will always be with us in the built environment. Therefore, it is essential that adequate systems for rapid detection and suppression also be used -- for true life safety. Representatives t>fthe fire services at a working session with the Society of the Plastics Industry to devise a training program for fire fighters on plastics and combustibility. First phase of the program has been com pleted and development of training materials is underway- One of the best examples of this type of system is Disney World in Florida, where a planned combined system of detection / alarm l suppression / smoke vent ing, coupled with compartmentalization, permits wide spread uses of combustible materials (treated wood and plastics) in an area ofgreatest concern -- one of the most densely populated (with children) areas in the world. Another very important step involves education and communication. Specific efforts within the SPI include: Wits originally intended to he of relatively short duration, the complexity of analyzing products to determine the toxicity of their combustion off-gases presented a number of technical difficulties that were not easily solved. 13) The Polystyrene Safety Croup has work underway at SWRI relating to methodology that, while specific to their products, will add to the overall technology. 14) In cooperation with the State Fire Marshal of Ohio and Patton Life Safety Systems, the SP1 sponsored a series of burns in which sprinkler systems were tested for possible residential use. Work in this area, and on smoke detectors, is expected to be continued and ex panded under the direction of the NFPCA, CONTROL OF FIRE The results of all this analysis, evaluation, and re search obviously would be meaningless if the steps ended there. But they do not. Members of the plastics industry are constantly analyzing results obtained from these programs and field experience in order to modify their products and de velop new ones. 1) Distribution by the SPI and its member companies of many safe-use bulletins describing proper methods for handling and installing their products, and encouraging adherence to building code provisions that prescribe proper uses. 2) A project now underway at the NFPA to develop a training program concerning plastics for fire fighters. The project is being developed by the NFPA staff with guidance from members of the 1AFC, IAFF, FMANA, ISFSI, and SPI, who meet regularly. The first phase, involving research and design, has been completed and the program should be ready for distribution and use by early 1977. The use of plastics in the built environment lias grown very rapidly in the past quarter century, and projections indicate that it will continue to grow. 'Ihe SPI is con cerned that this be a proper growth, not accomplished at the expense of firesafety. In 1977, we should begin to see results from many of the programs described in this arti cle, and these will be passed along to the fire commu*. nity. We believe that, with the help of the fire commu nity, wc are on the right track with our programs, but obviously a great deal of additional work needs to be done. The SPI welcomes constructive criticism and suggestions on how changes can be made in its constant rcevaluation of its programs. A FIRE JOURNAL -- NOVEMBER 1976 63 UCC I POLYMERS AND FIRE Our initial objective in producing our film entitled "Polymers and Fire" was to put into proper perspective the flammability char acteristics of synthetic materials, especially PVC. We felt there was need to communicate with the fire community, architects, build ing trades, code officials and the public in general. We wanted to illustrate how the positive flammability characteristics of PVC were being used to advantage in wire insulation, furniture covering, building components and the like. As the project developed, and as we reviewed our progress with various groups in the building trades, and with members of the fire community, one thing of special significance emerged. It became ap parent that the fire community did not have a clear understanding of' the compositional relationship between synthetic polymers and natural polymers and how this relates to flammability. We also found that in most cases, the firemen viewed with alarm the toxicity of the com bustion products of the little understood man-made polymers. In con trast, they seemed to believe that exposure to combustion products from natural polymers or traditional materials were less hazardous and there was less need to rely on self-contained breathing apparatus. As a result, we abandoned our original idea to produce a film on PVC alone and used this opportunity to make a film that would have a broader educational message of all "Polymers and Fire" aimed espec ially at firemen. The main message is that all polymers, natural and man-made, produce toxic gases when burned and the best protection for fire fighters against this hazard is the self-contained breathing appara tus . The film illustrates: That polymers are the most common class of materials to be involved in fires and include both natural and man-made ma terials such as wood, wool, cotton and synthetics. * That polymers are long chain molecules containing carbon. When carbon-containing materials burn, carbon monoxide is usually generated. This is the main threat to life safety. In addition, other toxic gases are also produced--depending upon the polymer's composition. PVC is one of the polymers included. * The firefighter must assume that the atmosphere around all working fires is hostile and his best defense against toxic combustion products is the self-contained breathing apparatus. ucc 008687