Preliminary Measurement With A Cone Calorimeter

The cone calorimeter is now an international acceptable method [1 ,2J for assessing the rate of heat release (RHR) of materials exposed to controllable radiant heat flux of values from 0 to 100 kWmThis is a bench-scale apparatus based on the "oxygen consumption" method where precise measurements of oxygen concentration and the flow rate in a horizontal duct are required, explaining why it is so expensive. Even so, the equipment is considered as an essential item for advanced fire research, development and education [3-7). This is because the RHR is considered to be one of the most important parameters in describing the fire responses of materials, products and assemblies, particularly for organic materials.