• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.117-123
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• 2003

In this study; the ignition and heat release rate characteristics of rigid polyurethane foam were investigated in accordance with setchkin ignition tester and cone calorimeter which is using oxygen consumption principle. In the ignition temperature study; flash-ignition temperature was $383^{\circ}C$-$390^{\circ}C$, self-ignition temperature was$ 493^{\circ}C$∼495$^{\circ}C$. The self-ignition temperature of rigid polyurethane foam was about $100^{\circ}C$ higher than the flash-ignition temperature. In the cone calorimeter study, the time to ignition of rigid polyurethane foam was faster as the external heat flux increase. In the same heat flux level, the time to ignition was faster as the density of rigid polyurethane foam decrease. Also the heat release rate was the largest value at the heat flux of /$50 ㎾\m^2$ and had a tendency of increase as the heat flux level and density increase. In the standpoint of time to ignition and heat release rate, the fire performance of rigid polyurethane foam was influenced by the applied heat flux level and density and the flashover propensity classified by Petrella's proposal was high.