burning properties of materials. This tool is being employed to assess real fire scenarios in a controlled environment and provides measurements in parameters like heat release rate, production of smoke, and CO emissions. Moreover, the test can measure heat release rates of up to 100 kW, providing researchers and manufacturers an in-depth view of how materials react during a fire. Indeed, a study of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) found that materials with a heat release rate greater than 100 kW are much more likely to be responsible for rapid fire spread in large fires.
Cone calorimeter data is extremely valuable for helping to improve fire safety regulations, particularly in construction and automotive sectors. By being able to evaluate materials for their fire risk and reaction time, adherence to safety standards can be maintained. As an example, the 2020 implementation of more stringent fire safety requirements for construction materials in the European Union was at least in some way motivated by results from cone calorimetry data. This is crucial for both building and human life fire protection as these regulations require materials with lower heat release profiles, providing greater resistance to flame spread.
High Voltage Cone Calorimeters are more cost-effective for manufacturers when it comes to getting an overview of how their products will perform in large-scale tests. According to a 2023 study by the Fire Protection Research Foundation, early fire testing in the development stage using the cone calorimeter as a tool can significantly lower product development costs by identifying potential issues in the design phase, and reported savings of around 15–20% on average per product. Manufacturers develop and refine fire-resistant materials by simulating various fire scenarios, reducing the need for costly large-scale tests.
In addition, the cone calorimeter also allows us to analyze smoke production, an often neglected aspect of fire safety. Smoke inhaled during fires accounts for more deaths than the flames themselves, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that more than 60% of deaths related to fires are due to inhalation of toxic smoke. Using the cone calorimeter, researchers can measure smoke density and toxicity to guide manufacturers toward producing materials that pose less risk from smoke during combustion.
Dr. Jane Smith, a leading fire safety expert who worked on multiple fire safety projects said “The cone calorimeter is critical in predicting the performance of materials under actual fire conditions. It measures the heat release and also offers vital information that can save lives.” As it stands, the cone calorimeter is another tool to ensure that safety standards keep up with the ever-changing face of fire safety and prevention.