Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

An analytical system, consisting of a coupled gas chromatograph - mass spectrometer unit linked to an on-line decomposition furnace has been constructed for studies of the thermal decomposition products of organic materials. The system has been evaluated by a qualitative study of the decomposition products of cellulose in nitrogen and air atmospheres. Some chromatographic experiments using flame retarded cellulose (mono ammonium phosphate) are given and some general observations on the action of this flame retardant are recorded.