Particle Size of Smoke from Burning Wood and Plastics

Typed(gm), µm*d(32), µm** ogCombustion ConditionsRef. No.
Douglas fir0.5-0.90.75-0.82.0pyrolysis1,3
Douglas fir0.430.47-0.522.4flaming1,3
polyvinylchloride0.9-1.40.8-1.11.8pyrolysis3
polyvinylchloride0.40.3-0.62.2flaming3
polyurethane (flexible)0.8-1.80.8-1.01.8pyrolysis3
polyurethane (flexible)0.5-0.7flaming3
polyurethane (rigid)0.3-1.21.02.3pyrolysis3
polyurethane (rigid)0.50.61.9flaming3
polystyrene1.4pyrolysis1
polystyrene1.3flaming1
polypropylene1.61.9pyrolysis1
polypropylene1.21.9flaming1
polymethylmethacrylate0.6pyrolysis1
polymethylmethacrylate1.2flaming1
cellulosic insulation2-32.4smoldering6

*dgm is analogous to dgv but with mass replacing volume in Equation 4. Values of dgm less than about 0.5 µm are probably overestimates arising from the minimum size resolution of the impactor at about 0.4 µm.

**The quantity d32 is obtained by optical measurements:

Source: The SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 2nd Edition.
Phillip J. DiNenno, et al., editors, © 1995 SFPE. p. 2-221.

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Last modified: August 08, 2006 11:22:48