MATERIALS
Assessment of toxic gas emissions from flammable building thermal insulation materials upon fire conditions
Smoke generated during a fire is a serious danger to people as a result of reduced air visibility, high temperature, toxicity and reduced oxygen content. In regard to victims, the inhalation of a mixture of toxic gases, which are formed as products of combustion, plays a key role. In the conditions of modern construction, and in order to improve energy efficiency in the buildings’ construction, various insulating materials are used. Along with the advantages of good insulation, there are also dangers from the behavior of insulating materials in an event of fire. The purpose of the present study is to assess the hazards and to study the composition of the gas mixture released during the combustion of various thermal insulating materials: glass wool, stone wool; expanded polystyrene; extruded polystyrene.