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The test methods most often used to measure the fire reaction and fire resistive properties of composites are outlined in this chapter. The majority of tests and standards described in this chapter are not specific to a certain class of material; although we seek here to examine them from the viewpoint of engineers interested in the use of composites. Determination of the fire reaction properties is important because of their strong influence on the early stages in the growth of fire. The reaction properties of composites that can affect the start-up and growth of fire include the time-to-ignition, oxygen index, peak and average heat release rates, and surface spread of flame. There are other reaction properties that may not influence the growth of fire but are critical to human survival, most notably smoke density and smoke toxicity. The test methods commonly used to measure these fire reaction properties are described.

Fibre reinforced polymer composite materials can pose a serious health hazard in fire. Smouldering or flaming composites can produce copious amounts of dense smoke consisting of a potentially toxic mix of combustion gases, soot particles and fibres. These combustion products can cause acute and delayed health problems and, in the worst case, cause death. The short-term effects of inhaling toxic smoke include impaired judgement and decision-making capacity which can jeopardise the safety of a person attempting to escape from a burning composite structure, such as a building, aircraft, ship or rail carriage. The irritants in smoke, which include combustion gases (eg. HCl, HBr and NO_2), soot particles and fibre fragments, can also delay escape by causing severe bouts of coughing and choking as well as extreme eye irritation that prevents a person from keeping their eyes open long enough to find an exit. The delayed, long-term health problems that result from inhaling smoke may include damage to tissues and organs, possibly leading to cancers and tumours.