new, very informative, brochure has been published by ISOPA, the European Isocyanate Producers Association. One of the authors is Diane Daems of Huntsman Polyurethanes.

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The aim of the brochure is to provide the reader with scientific and background information about the general performance of this family of products and to describe the assessment criteria. It shows how rigid polyurethane foam-based building products meet small and large-scale test requirements and give satisfactory behaviour in realistic test conditions.

The brochure starts with a description of the typical building applications and the type of polyurethane building products that are currently being used in the European construction market. A review of fire statistics as well as a description of the general fire safety aspects in buildings follows this. The fire performance of polyurethane foams and of the building products based on them is described with respect to the compliance with fire regulations and the performance in end use conditions. Further, the general principles of smoke and toxic hazard together with test methods are described. In this context, published and unpublished data concerning smoke and combustion gases for rigid polyurethane foams have been compiled.

The brochure can be obtained from Galileo.