Influence of different parameters in the fire behaviour of seven hardwood species

• Published in: Fire safety journal Vol. 107; pp. 193 - 201
• Main Authors: Haurie, Laia, Giraldo, María Pilar, Lacasta, Ana María, Montón, Joaquín, Sonnier, Rodolphe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2019; Elsevier BV; Elsevier
• Subjects: Claddings; Combustion; Construction industry; Construction materials; Density; Durability; Engineering Sciences; Exudates; Exudation; Fire behaviour; Flammability; Furniture; Hardwood; Hardwoods; Minerals; Morphology; Parameters; Physicochemical properties; Pyrolysis; Species; Thermal stability; Tropical forests; Wood; Flammability; Pyrolysis; Hardwood; Fire behaviour; Thermal stability
• ISSN: 0379-7112; 1873-7226
• DOI: 10.1016/j.firesaf.2018.08.002

Wood is a widely used material in the construction sector, both in structural and non-structural applications. Tropical species are appreciated for their high quality and durability in furniture, outdoor and indoor claddings and floors. However, limited information exists about fire reaction of tropical wood. Density is one of the factors that influence the rate of pyrolysis reactions and consequently the charring rate. However, other wood characteristics such as the mineral content also exert an influence on the pyrolysis combustion of wood. Hardwoods present a complex morphological structure and a significant amount of minerals, extracts and exudates. In this work, we study the fire reaction of seven species of tropical hardwood using various fire tests. Results are compared from one test to other one and are discussed in relation with physicochemical properties of wood species. The results show that although there is some correlation between high density and ignition time, parameters such as morphology and mineral content are also relevant. •Fire reaction tests were conducted on seven tropical wood species to investigate some factors affecting their fire behavior.•Tropical species present a complex morphological structure and a significant amount of minerals, extracts and exudates.•Density of wood is a major factor but morphology and mineral content also play an important role in terms of fire behaviour.•This study can be useful to increase the knowledge about the factors affecting the fire performance of tropical hardwoods.