Describing product fire performance—manufacturers' versus modelers' needs

Traditional fire test methods have not required interpretation—pass/fail or a single number was recorded. New methods, such as the Cone Calorimeter or the furniture calorimeter, produce a large array of scientifically based data for each product tested. Thus, the issue of data selection and presentation becomes quite important in being able to adequately utilize such results. The new test methods were first developed and popularized by persons associated with fire‐modeling activities. Not surprisingly, the initial developments of data analysis and presentation techniques were such as to be suitable for fire scientists. The tasks of fire scientists, however, are generally different from those of the producers, specifiers of useres of various products. These latter classes of users are normally not interested in test diagnostics, portability of data, analysis of environmental effects, etc. Instead, they are intersted primarily in questions such as: Is product A better than product B and, if so, by how much? These are entirely proper questions and their answers are essential to correct specification and use of products. In this paper details of variables useful to both classes of individuals are compared and contrasted. Recommendations are made as to certain variables which are essential for the product maker/specifier/user and which could form the basis of standard product specification formats.