The importance and contribution of the inherent flammability of polymeric materials to problems of fire safety is well recognized. This study was undertaken to provide a better understanding and interpretation of previous experimental investigations of polymer flammability. The structure of opposed flow diffusion flames has been measured by several investigators using both gaseous and solid fuels. The opposed flow diffusion flame is a convenient geometry for the study of the flammability of polymers because it allows both steady, diffusion controlled burning and extinction to be observed under well-controlled laboratory conditions. Conveniently available experimental parameters include fuel composition, oxidizer composition, and oxidizer blowing rate. Reported experiments generally have not included the variation of pressure or temperature. Radiation effects, which are important in fires, remain to be well-characterized in laboratory studies of opposed flow diffusion flames where radiation generally is of minor importance
