CEA 4001 - Annex B Process for Categorising Stored Materials

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A
Annex B
Process for Categorising Stored Materials
B.1 General
The overall fire hazard of stored goods (defined as a product and its packaging) is a function of its
heat release rate (kW) which in turn is a function of its heat of combustion (kJ/kg) and its
burning rate (kg/sec).
The heat of combustion is determined by the material or mix of materials in the goods. The burning
rate is determined by both the materials involved and the configuration of the material.
To categorise products, this method first addresses the material involved to produce a « material
factor » and then modifies this where necessary due to the configuration of the goods to
determine the category. Where no modification is required, the « material factor » is the sole
determinant of the Category.
B.2 Material factor
Figure B.1 shall be used to determine the material factor when goods consist of mixtures of
materials.
When using Figure B.1, the stored goods shall be considered to include all packaging and pallet
material. For the purpose of this evaluation, rubber shall be treated in the same way as
expanded plastic. The storage of rubber tiers needs special consideration.
The following four material factors shall be used in determining the category:
B.2.1 Material Factor 1
Non combustible products in combustible packaging and low or medium combustibility products
in combustible/non-combustible packaging. Products having little plastic content as defined below:
- unexpanded plastic content less than 5% by weight (including the pallet);
- expanded plastic content less than 5% volume.
Examples
:
- metal parts with /without cardboard packaging on wood pallets;
- powdered foods in sacks;
- canned foods;
- non-synthetic cloth;
- leather goods;
- wood products;
- ceramics in cardboard/wood cases;
- metal tools in cardboard/wood packaging;
- cartoned plastic or glass bottles of non-flammable liquids;
- large electrical appliances (with little packaging).