NTL Record

Title Combustibility of Electrical Wire and Cable for Rail Rapid Transit Systems: Volume II Toxicity
Record ID 50078
Personal Name
Creator
Crane, C. B.; Sanders, D. C.; Endecott, B. R.; Abbott, J. K.
Source 120p. in various pagings
Corporate Creator United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation Medicine. Civil Aeromedical Institute; Factory Mutual Research Corporation
Corporate
Contributor
United States. Department of Transportation. Research and Special Programs Administration. Transportation Systems Center; United States. Department of Transportation. Urban Mass Transportation Administration. Office of Technical Assistance
Publisher United States. Department of Transportation. Urban Mass Transportation Administration
Publication Date 19830501
Language English
Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the flammability of wires and cables used in rapid rail transit systems. The overall goal of the study was to quantify the fire properties of wires and cables in a manner so that the relative fire hazards could be assessed under various fire scenarios expected in rapid rail systems. In this study, the following items were investigated: 1) a literature review of wire and cable fires; 2) selection of test method for combustibility evaluations of wires and cables; 3) testing of wires and cables; and 4) evaluation of ranking of wires and cables. Basically, this report is organized in three parts: an overall summary of the report; experimental details, results and discussion; and appendices providing detailed calculations for determining the different parameters used in the report. The combustibility of 31 wire and cable samples submitted by 12 manufacturers was evaluated using the Factory Mutual Small-Scale Combustibility Apparatus under simulated external radiation for large-scale fire conditions. Samples of wire and cable were ranked according to 7 parameters: ignition/surface flame spread; electrical failure; corrosivity of the fire products; generation of fuel vapors; generation of heat; generation of gaseous compounds; and light obscuration. The report states that the hazards expected in wire and cable fires depend not only on the generic nature of the insulation/jacket materials, but also on the additives, size, and construction of the wire and cable. An increase in the size of the wire and cable sample is expected to reduce the fire hazard with the degree of hazard reduction dependent on the generic nature of the insulation/jacket materials.
Rosap ID dot:11475
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/11475
TRT Terms Cables; Combustion; Electric insulating materials; Fires; Flammability; Insulating materials; Rapid transit; Safety; Testing; Toxicity; Wiring
Classification AGR - SAFETY AND SECURITY - SAFETY AND SECURITY;
NTL - PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Transit Safety and Security;
NTL - PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION;
NTL - PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Rail Transit
Geographical
Coverage
United States
TRIS Online
Accession No
00377018
Report Number UMTA-MA-06-0025-83-7; DOT-TSC-UMTA-83-4, II
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/50000/50000/50078/DOT-TSC-UMTA-83-04.2.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository