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 has been 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 those which do not melt, in a vertical orientation. An external irradiance of zero to over 100 kW m −2 may be 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 also recorded simultaneously. The instrument has been designed to be capable of higher accuracy than existing instruments and yet to be simple to operate and moderate in construction cost. The instrument is thermed a ‘cone calorimeter’ because of the geometric arrangement of the electric heater.