Passenger Minivan Fire Tests. Report of Test.
Passenger Minivan Fire Tests. Report of Test.
(417 K)
Stroup, D. W.; DeLauter, L. A.; Lee, J.; Roadarmel, G.
L.
Report of Test FR 4011; FR 4011; 26 p. December 1,
2001.
Keywords:
motor vehicle fires; arson; fire data; fire models; fire
tests; gas analysis; heat release rate; temperature
measurements; experiments
Abstract:
Two fire tests were conducted using a passenger minivan.
The fire test scenarios were selected as part of a fire
investigation being conducted by the U.S. Department of
Treasury's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
Heat release rate was determined as a function of time
from ignition using the oxygen depletion principle. In
addition, the temperatures and gas concentrations inside
the passenger compartment were measured. For the first
test, approximately 0.317 kg (0.697 lb) of paper was
ignited in the passenger compartment with the windows
closed. This fire extinguished itself due to lack of
oxygen within the passenger compartment. A second test
was conducting using 2 L (0.53 gal) of gasoline in the
passenger compartment with the driver and passenger
windows open. This fire did not extinguish itself; it
was extinguished manually with hose lines.
