Development of the cone calorimeter, a bench scale heat release rate apparatus based on oxygen consumption

A new bench scale rate of heat release calorimeter utilizing the oxygen consumption principle was developed for use in fire testing and research. Specimens may be of uniform or composite construction and may be tested in a horizontal, face up orientation, or, for ones which do not melt, also vertically oriented. An external irradiance of zero to over 100 kW/sq m is imposed by means of a temperature controlled radiant heater. The rate of heat release is determined by measuring combustion product gas flow and oxygen depletion, while the mass loss is simultaneously recorded directly. The instrument was designed to be capable of higher accuracy than existing instruments and yet to be simple to operate and moderate in construction cost.