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Details

Window Breakage Induced by Exterior Fires.

PB98148208

Publication Date	1998
Personal Author	Mowrer, F. W.
Page Count	48
Abstract	A number of small- and large-scale experiments have been conducted to evaluate the performance of various window assemblies, glazing materials and potential protective treatments under the influence of imposed radiant heat fluxes ranging from 0.2 to 1.8 W/sq cm Window assemblies include single- and double-pane windows with wood, vinyl and vinyl-clad wood frames. Glazing materials include ordinary single- and double-strength plate glass, tempered glass and a heat-resistance ceramic glass. Potential protective treatments include insect screens, vinyl film sun shades and aluminum foil. The application of aluminum foil over the exterior side of a window was found to be an effective treatment to prevent window breakage induced by an exterior fire. Tempered glass and heat-resistant ceramic glass did not break under the influence of the imposed heat fluxes. Vinyl-frame windows did not perform well under the exposure of imposed heat fluxes. The vinyl frames and sashes of these windows lost strength, distorted and sagged, permitting openings to develop.
Keywords	Fire tests Windows Breaking Radiative heat transfer Temperature gradients Buildings Urban areas Glazing materials Glass Assemblies Vinyl plastics Glazing(Windows) Window glazing Heat flux Radiant heating Thermal radiation Fire resistant materials Performance tests Fires Wildlands
Source Agency	National Institute of Standards and Technology
Corporate Authors	Maryland Univ., College Park. Dept. of Fire Protection Engineering.; National Inst. of Standards and Technology (BFRL), Gaithersburg, MD.
Supplemental Notes	Sponsored by National Inst. of Standards and Technology (BFRL), Gaithersburg, MD.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	199819
Contract Number	NIST-COMMIP4024

Window Breakage Induced by Exterior Fires.

Window Breakage Induced by Exterior Fires.
PB98148208

Publication Date	1998
Personal Author	Mowrer, F. W.
Page Count	48
Abstract	A number of small- and large-scale experiments have been conducted to evaluate the performance of various window assemblies, glazing materials and potential protective treatments under the influence of imposed radiant heat fluxes ranging from 0.2 to 1.8 W/sq cm Window assemblies include single- and double-pane windows with wood, vinyl and vinyl-clad wood frames. Glazing materials include ordinary single- and double-strength plate glass, tempered glass and a heat-resistance ceramic glass. Potential protective treatments include insect screens, vinyl film sun shades and aluminum foil. The application of aluminum foil over the exterior side of a window was found to be an effective treatment to prevent window breakage induced by an exterior fire. Tempered glass and heat-resistant ceramic glass did not break under the influence of the imposed heat fluxes. Vinyl-frame windows did not perform well under the exposure of imposed heat fluxes. The vinyl frames and sashes of these windows lost strength, distorted and sagged, permitting openings to develop.
Keywords	Fire tests Windows Breaking Radiative heat transfer Temperature gradients Buildings Urban areas Glazing materials Glass Assemblies Vinyl plastics Glazing(Windows) Window glazing Heat flux Radiant heating Thermal radiation Fire resistant materials Performance tests Fires Wildlands
Source Agency	National Institute of Standards and Technology
Corporate Authors	Maryland Univ., College Park. Dept. of Fire Protection Engineering.; National Inst. of Standards and Technology (BFRL), Gaithersburg, MD.
Supplemental Notes	Sponsored by National Inst. of Standards and Technology (BFRL), Gaithersburg, MD.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	199819
Contract Number	NIST-COMMIP4024