Laboratory test methods for evaluating the fire response of aerospace materials

The test methods which were developed or evaluated were intended to serve as means of comparing materials on the basis of specific responses under specific sets of test conditions, using apparatus, facilities, and personnel that would be within the capabilities of perhaps the majority of laboratories. Priority was given to test methods which showed promise of addressing the pre-ignition state of a potential fire. These test methods were intended to indicate which materials may present more hazard than others under specific test conditions. These test methods are discussed and arranged according to the stage of a fire to which they are most relevant. Some observations of material performance which resulted from this work are also discussed

Toxicity of materials in fire situations: Laboratory data obtained at the University of San Francisco

Approximately 300 materials were evaluated using a specific set of test conditions. Materials tested included wood, fibers, fabrics and synthetic polymers. Data obtained using 10 different sets of test conditions are presented

A bibliography of published information relevant to fire toxicity

A bibliography containing 883 references in the field of fire toxicity is presented to assist in literature searches to help reduce human fire hazards

Toxicity of Pyrolysis Gases from Elastomers

The toxicity of the pyrolysis gases from six elastomers was investigated. The elastomers were polyisoprene (natural rubber), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM), acrylonitrile rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, and polychloroprene. The rising temperature and fixed temperature programs produced exactly the same rank order of materials based on time to death. Acryltonitrile rubber exhibited the greatest toxicity under these test conditions; carbon monoxide was not found in sufficient concentrations to be the primary cause of death

Toxicity of pyrolysis gases from synthetic polymers

The screening test method was used to investigate toxicity in polyethylene, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, polyaryl sulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenyl sulfone, and polyphenylene sulfide. Changing from a rising temperature program to a fixed temperature program resulted on shorter times to animal responses. This effect was attributed in part to more rapid generation of toxicants. The toxicants from the sulfur containing polymers appeared to act more rapidly than the toxicants from the other polymers. It was not known whether this effect was due primarily to difference in concentration or in the nature of the toxicants. The carbon monoxide concentration found did not account for the results observed with the sulfur containing polymers. Polyphenyl sulfone appeared to exhibit the least toxicity among the sulfur containing polymers evaluated under these test conditions

Toxicity of pyrolysis gases from wood

The toxicity of the pyrolysis gases from nine wood samples was investigated. The samples of hardwoods were aspen poplar, beech, yellow birch, and red oak. The samples of softwoods were western red cedar, Douglas fir, western hemlock, eastern white pine, and southern yellow pine. There was no significant difference between the wood samples under rising temperature conditions, which are intended to simulate a developing fire, or under fixed temperature conditions, which are intended to simulate a fully developed fire. This test method is used to determine whether a material is significantly more toxic than wood under the preflashover conditions of a developing fire

A composite system approach to aircraft cabin fire safety

The thermochemical and flammability characteristics of two polymeric composites currently in use and seven others being considered for use as aircraft interior panels are described. The properties studied included: (1) limiting oxygen index of the composite constituents; (2) fire containment capability of the composite; (3) smoke evolution from the composite; (4) thermogravimetric analysis; (5) composition of the volatile products of thermal degradation; and (6) relative toxicity of the volatile products of pyrolysis. The performance of high temperature laminating resins such as bismaleimides is compared with the performance of phenolics and epoxies. The relationship of increased fire safety with the use of polymers with high anaerobic char yield is shown. Processing parameters of one of the baremaleimide composites are detailed

“Peruvian Chusco”: Promoviendo la diversidad canina mediante el retrato fotográfico callejero.

Este proyecto busca dar protagonismo a los perros callejeros, humanizándolos a través del retrato fotográfico, con la finalidad de generar reflexión e interés por la vida y condición de estos vecinos citadinos. Peruvian Chusco demuestra como el retrato es también una herramienta sumamente efectiva para entrar en la psique y empatizar con los sujetos, es decir, sirve como una puerta hacia el mundo interior de aquellos que están frente al lente. El tema de los perros callejeros se suele ver como un problema de salud pública, más no como un tema social y cultural. Comúnmente en las campañas de esterilización y/o adopción se suelen utilizar fotografías sumamente gráficas o impactantes para sensibilizar a las personas. Fue a partir de estas imágenes que generan pena o tristeza que surgió la idea de retratarlos desde un ángulo distinto y positivo, en su ambiente natural, la calle.This project intends to place street dogs under the spotlight by humanizing them through photographic portraits, with the purpose of making the audience reflect and get more interested on the lives and condition of these city neighbors. Peruvian Chusco also shows how portraits are a super effective tool to get into the minds and empathize with these subjects being photographed. In other words, portraits are like doors into the interior world of those in front of the lens. Street dogs are mostly seen a public health problem, and not as a social o cultural phenomenon. Its commonly seen that very graphic and shocking photographs of street dogs are used to sensitize the audience of sterilization and adoption campaigns. These images that generate sorrow or sadness triggered the idea of portraying them from a different and positive angle, in their natural habitats, the streets