In order to explore highly efficient flame-retardant rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF), phosphorus/nitrogen compounds and expandable graphite (EG) were successfully incorporated into RPUF by a free one-spot method. The combustion results showed that the fire safety of the RPUF samples was remarkably improved by the addition of phosphoric/nitrogen compounds and EG. With the incorporation of 22.4 wt.% phosphorus/nitrogen compounds and 3.2 wt.% EG, the RPUF composites achieved UL-94 V-0 rating. Besides, the total heat release and total smoke release of RPUF composites were reduced by 29.6% and 32.4% respectively, compared to those of the pure RPUF sample. PO• and PO₂• together with nonflammable gaseous products were evolved from phosphoric/nitrogen compounds in the gas phase, which quenched the flammable free radicals in the matrix and diluted the concentration of combustible gaseous products generated from PRUF during combustion. The compact char residues which acted as excellent physical barriers were formed by catalysis of EG and phosphoric/nitrogen compounds in the condense phase. The fire hazard of RPUF was significantly reduced by the synergistic effect of phosphorus-nitrogen compounds and EG. This work provides a promising strategy to enhance the fire safety of RPUF.

The extemporaneous combustion of coal remains a major threat to safety in coal mines because such fire accidents result in casualties and significant property loss, as well as serious environmental pollution. This work proposed the fabrication of flame-retardant rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) containing expandable graphite as char expander/sealant with melamine phosphosphate and 2-carboxyethyl (phenyl)phosphinic acid as char inducer and radical trapping agents. The as-prepared RPUF successfully inhibited coal combustion by forming thermally stable high graphitic content expandable intumescent char sealing over the coal. The RPUF achieved UL-94 V-0 rating in addition to significant reductions in peak heat release, total heat release, and CO and CO₂ yields. The external and the internal residual char structure was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectra, Raman spectroscopy, and real-time Fourier transform infrared spectra techniques, and a flame-retardant mode of action has been proposed. This work provides important insight into a facile fabrication of highly efficient and economical flame-retardant RPUF to inhibit the spontaneous combustion of coal.

Human movement dynamics is highly correlated with stepping locomotion. This paper aims to explore stepping behavior of pedestrian social groups on stairs through a field observation. A total of 96 singles and 194 pedestrian groups with different sizes were adopted as test subjects. Their stepping features such as speed, step length, step time and step width were obtained according to trajectory extraction and curvature calculation. Relations between these variables during ascending and descending movement on stairs are analyzed and compared. The effects of group sizes and movement processes on stepping locomotion are also discussed. It is discovered that both step time and step width for groups with larger size are significantly higher during descending movement. This study provides a new insight into stepping behavior of pedestrian groups on stairs, and is beneficial to group movement modelling and pedestrian facility design.