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Figure 63. Thermal<br />
balance on a fuel<br />
surface.<br />
94<br />
is required in the form of a mass loss rate. The mass loss rate is<br />
controlled by:<br />
1. Flame spread and ignition (the area of the initial fi re<br />
increases)<br />
2. Higher intensity of combustion on a particular fuel surface.<br />
These two mechanisms are each then dependent on three<br />
processes closely linked to one another, specifi cally:<br />
q" loss (the energy produced by the fuel, but not used for<br />
vaporisation)<br />
q" f (heat from the fl ame)<br />
q" ext (radiation from the surrounding area)<br />
q" loss<br />
When a fi re is at the start of its development, a large amount of<br />
the energy transferred to the fuel is used to raise the temperature<br />
of the fuel rather than for generating fumes from the surface.<br />
Burning thermoplastic provides an example of this: it will<br />
not reach its maximum mass loss rate until a large amount of<br />
the material has melted to form a pool fi re. This process uses<br />
up a lot of energy. After a while, however, the fuel and its underlying<br />
surfaces will have excess heat and q" loss will drop. According<br />
to equation 21, the mass loss rate will then increase.<br />
External radiation<br />
Heat from flames<br />
Heat transferred<br />
to material