Abstract

This chapter provides practical guidance for identifying and quantifying toxic hazards in fire effluents for use in fire engineering design and hazard assessments. The chapter covers topics such as identifying toxic gases and particulate products in fire effluents, data for yields of key toxic gases and particulates from common materials, and the relationship between visibility, irritant substances, and concentrations of asphyxiant gases. Exposure to toxic smoke is the main cause of injury and death in fires, and toxic fire retardant substances released from materials also pose a risk. The goal of fire safety engineering design is to ensure early warning of fire and appropriate means of escape for occupants. The primary goal is to limit occupant exposure to toxic smoke components that impair escape capability or cause collapse and death at the fire scene, as well as those that result in death or injury after evacuation or rescue. The release of toxic environmental contaminants during fires is also a concern. The chapter provides valuable insights into the complexity of toxic hazards in fire effluents and their impact on occupant safety, as well as the regulatory issues surrounding the release of toxic environmental contaminants.