Accuracy (Trueness and Precision) of Cone Calorimeter Tests with and Without a Vitiated Air Enclosure

Abstract

Over the last few years, new many laboratory fire tests have been developed. One such test is the controlled atmosphere cone calorimeter (CACC). Until now this bench-scale test has not been standardized and the device design differs from one laboratory to another. These differences can affect measurement accuracyaaAccuracy: The closeness of agreement between a test result and the accepted reference value. (truenessbbTrueness: The closeness of agreement between the average value obtained from a large series of test results and an accepted reference value. and precisionccPrecision: The closeness of agreement between independent test results obtained under stipulated conditions.) and direct comparison of literature results is difficult. No studies have been conducted to understand the effect of the design on the fire behaviour of materials and measurement accuracy in the CACC. The present publication focuses on these effects under ambient and non-ambient oxygen conditions. Several designs were investigated using Poly(methyl)methacrylate (PMMA) as the test material. Statistical analyses were performed in some cases to assess the data. The results are presented and discussed.