Document zoaV3QgrB4qv9mLZOmeJNJ12g

PLAINTIFRSfei r A' EXHIBIT WH-992 -'v *' /4v; 'y, > y. 48 ' `' /> 7. . Vmvtt'c 'rm a ttom mr ttt a V' I ' . ,- . *y. -;;r: vfor ' . .......... . ' - * We8tinghouse Electric Corporation - Micarta Division . ' ,-t (?, ' , : * - * r . /* n / >r- -fc: t . iv;# - . ~.rr:\' - > 2-35 y -Final Report ti.>. '' -vr-`\ `: \ *V' - y ; '.: i i , r ' ; March 26, 1959 . > . >Uv. / ' * : F' 'a ,1 - T' .:>A * . _ : ft ,..\i -w' J ' :* SOU THWE5T R ES1A RCH INS T I T U T E S A-Nr; A:N' T O N't.O V ^,v^:-v,'r;;v:r. vli : Kfc.O U S T O N ' . : *v .4* V V *,V ` ' ''. V rv ***> vVv-: . > V- *-. ' Va Vo -V- . V07001114 SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE 8500 Culebra Road. San Antonio 6, Texas Department of Engineering Mechanics Building Research Section INVESTIGATION OF FLAME SPREAD CHARACTERISTICS OF TWO DECORATIVE WALLBOARDS C. H, Yuill Project No. 717-Z-35 Final Report Prepared for Westinghouse Electric Corporation Micarta Division Hampton, South Carolina March 26, 1959 APPROVED: Department of Engineering Mechanics 07001H I. INTRODUCTION This report is a presentation of the results of flame spread tests on two types of decorative wall panels submitted for evaluation by the Micarta Division of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. The tests were conducted in accordance with the provisions of ASTM Designation E84-50T, "Tentative Method of Fire Hazard Classification of Building Materials. " The report contains a description of the material submitted, the preparation and conditioning of the test specimens, the test method, and the results obtained. It applies only to the materials tested and not to the entire production of these or similar materials. II, MATERIALS TESTED The two materials were submitted in sheet form with matching tongue and grooves. Both were similar in appearance having a cellulose type core with a thin, high pressure laminate glued to both sides. The finished surface had a patterned, plastic surface that was hard and smoothThe opposite surface also was hard and smooth but was dark brown in color. The tongue and grooves were unfinished. One material was identified by the Sponsor as "Asbestos Decora tive Panel Wall" and was so labeled. These sheets were 16" wide, 96" long 0700 z and 0. 586" thick This material had an average weight of 1.93 lbs. per sq. ft. The other material was identified by the Sponsor as "Standard Deco rative Panel Wall" and was so labeled. These sheets were 16" wide, 96" long and 0. 600" thick. This material had an average weight of 1, 84 lbs. per sq. ft. III. PREPARATION AND CONDITIONING OF TEST SPECIMENS The materials to be tested were nailed tc a wood frame in a manner tc simulate a section of a wood stud wall. Three specimen? of each material were prepared, each 21" wide and 25'4" in overall length A longitudinal joint extended the length of each specimen. Each test specimen was prepared in two 21" by 12'8" sections for convenience in handling. The frame was constructed of 2" by 2" and 2" by 4" fir members. The test material was first fastened to one Side of the wood frame with 3 d common nails driven through the flanged tongue into the center framing member and spaced approximately 7" on centers. Similarly, nails were driven into the outer framing member. Matching grooved sheets of the test material were interlocked with the tongued sections and nailed only to the opposite side framing member. The tongue and groove configuration did not permit a tight fit but left a surface gap of approximately 0. 045" at the center point. Two calibration and reference specimens were prepared, one with 1/4" cement-asbestos board and the other with 1" x 3" Fordyce red oak flooring. 07001117 3 All finished specimens were stacked in the furnace room so as to provide a free circulation of air. The controlled atmosphere in this room is maintained at between 65' and ?5'F temperature and between 35% and 40% relative humidity. Samples of the test specimens were weighed periodically and were considered ready for test when no further change in weight was recorded. IV. TEST PROCEDURE The test procedure followed was that specified in ASTM Designation E84-50T. There were no variations from the standard and no unusual dif ficulties were encountered during the tests. A reference flame front of 41 was recorded with the cement-asbestos board specimen. This provided a zero reference, With the red oak speci men the flame front traveled the length of the specimen in 4. 75 minutes and this time, with recorded furnace temperature and smoke density, provided a reference point of 100. After tests of the material submitted, the test specimens were re moved from the furnace room and photographed. V. TEST RESULTS ` Test results based upon observed flame front travelj recorded furnace temperatures, photo-cell output, and calculations were as follows: 070011 is 4 Test No. Test Specimen Flame Spread Rate Fuel Contributed Factor Smoke Density Factor Cement-asbestos 1 Red Oak 2 -ADPW 3 SADPW 4 *ADPW Average 0 100 49 56 61 55 0 100 39 49 49 45 0 100 181 152 164 166 1 **SDPW 5 **SDPW 6 *#SDPW Average 158 158 146 154 *i Asbestos Decorative Panel Wall Standard Decorative Panel Wall 106 105 105 105 173 132 119 141 Table I - Test Results VI. OBSERVATIONS DURING TEST With both materials, loud popping sounds were heard within the first 15 seconds of the 10-minute test and these sounds continued at a some what reduced intensity for the remainder of the tests. Surface cracks and delaminations were observed at approximately 15 seconds. With the three Asbestos Decorative Panel Wall specimens, the flame front advanced to 8' within 30-45 seconds after the start of the test, receded 1` to 2', and advanced at a slower rate until the end point was reached at between 7-3/4 and 9 minutes. The furnace temperature increased rapidly with these specimens for 40-45 seconds and then increased at a slower rate for the remainder of the te9t. 07001119 5 Smoke density with these specimens increased rapidly for 75 to 120 seconds, held at a substantially constant level for approximately 4 minutes and slowly dropped. The peak in smoke density in each case was lower than with the "Standard" specimens. With the "Standard Decorative Panel Will'' specimens,, the flame front advanced to between 20' and 22' in the first minute and a half of the test, dropped back 3' to 4' and then advanced to the end of the specimen at between 3 and 3-1/4 minutes. The furnace temperature increased rapidly for 1-2/3 tc 2 minutes and continued to increase at a less rapid rate. Smoke density increased rapidly to a sharp peak at from 1-3/4 to 2 minutes and held at this level for approximately 30 seconds, VII OBSERVATIONS AFTER TEST In each of the tests with "Asbestos Decorative Panel Wail" the center joint opened due to shrinkage, providing a gap of approximately 1/2" on the 8: section at the fire end of the specimen. This exposed the wood framing and released that side of the specimen that was not nailed. This side dropped at the center line 2-1/2" to 3-1/2" in the first 8 and 1/2" to 1" in the second 8 section. This opening also exposed the back of the specimen on one side to flame with resultant charring. The exposed laminate lost bond for approximately 8'-11' on the un attached lunnailed) side and for 7'-8' on the attached side of the specimen 07001120 6 measuring from the fire end cf the specimen The core of these specimens appeared to be completely charred in the area of direct flame impingement with the depth of char decreasing to approximately 1/16" at the end of the specimens. With the "Standard Decorative Panel Wall ; specimens the center joint opened for approximately 20' from the burner end, exposing the center framing member for approximately 15'. This again released the unnailed side of the panel and exposed the back of cne side tc the flame with re sultant charring on the back surface. The exposed laminate burned off the face of the specimens for their entire length. The core of the "Standard" specimens apparently was completely charred along the entire length although the bond on the back surfacing material was not broken on the section furthest from the flame. These observations are suppcrted by photographs taken after test and attached hereto isee Figures 1 through 6) VIII, CONCLUSION The Asbestos Decorative Panel Wall tested had an average flame spread rate of 55 as compared to cement asbestos board at 0 and red oak at 100, The Standard Decorative Panel Wall tested had an average flame spread rate of 154 as compared to cement-asbestos board at 0 and red oak at 100. 07001121 7 It should be noted that this material is intended for vertical appli cation on walls whereas it was tested in a horizontal position, With only one side of the center joint nailed to the framing., this provides a more severe condition than would be experienced in wall application- 07001 12 2M K aams. aass F ig . 1 T est No. 2. Asbestos D e co ra tive P anel W all a fte r te s t. r'.* f'-t F ig . 2 T est No. 3 A sbestos D e co ra tive Panel W a ll a fte r te st. GT00II23.CI r-J TJ\ F ig . 3 T e st No. 4 A sbestos D e co ra tive P anel W all a fte r te s t. in r i MJKl F ig . 4 T est No. 1 S tandard D e co ra tive P anel W a ll a fte r te st. F ig . 5 Teat No. 5 Standard D e co ra tive P anel W a ll a fte r te st. T^ U KM sS a* F ig . 6 T e st N o. 6 Standard D ecorative P anel W a ll a fte r te st.