LEED TSAC PVC Study Database > Outreach Forum > Fires
Fires
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Information request:
A number of commenters referred to case reports of building fires in
which PVC combustion products (and/or precombustion products) are
believed to have incapacitated and injured building occupants or
firefighters. Yet studies of the atmosphere in structural building
fires in general tend to show only insignificant quantities of these
PVC-combustion products. We are seeking citations of peer-reviewed
studies that can shed more light on the role of PVC-combustion
products in typical building fires, or estimate the prevalence of
building fires in which PVC-combustion products are a significant
factor in occupant or firefighter injuries.
Citation of information sources is required. If it is possible to email PDFs of original source documents, this is encouraged and we will post the original source documents on this web page for others to download. Please email source document PDFs to tsac@greenriver.org.
The Vinyl Institute agrees with the Task Group's conclusion that "studies of the atmosphere in structural building fires in general tend to show only insignificant quantities of these PVC-combustion products." Our original data submittal dated April 2004 supplied considerable data and 14 studies in support of the fact that combustion products of PVC are no more toxic than combustion products from other building materials. In addition, we pointed out that vinyl is an inherently flame resistant material. Furthermore, CPVC piping is a cost effective way to add sprinklers to existing buildings. These facts should be considered in addition to combustion toxicity in a complete evaluation of fire risks. We will not restate our April 2004 submittal here. However, the following text from our April 2004 comments appears to most directly address the question.
"Most of the major fires involving large loss of life occurred over twenty years ago (Beverly Hills Supper Club, MGM Grand, etc.). None of the scientific reviews of these fires, regardless of product liability settlements, implicated PVC. Statements to the contrary are based on indirect evidence such as pulmonary edema, but such pathology was also present in victims of fires prior to the common use of PVC, and the aforementioned low COHB level. Early detection and suppression has helped to halve the number of fire deaths in the U.S. in the last 20 years. This, and adherence to fire codes, is the correct approach to fire safety."
In addition, We suggest that interested parties review the following web site for information of fire statistics trends, review of historic fires and statistics on fire fighters injury and deaths.
http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=951& ;URL=Research%20&%20Reports/Fire%20statistics& cookie%5Ftest=1