Particleboards are used in the manufacturing of furniture and are often part of the interior of buildings. In the event of a fire, particleboards are a substantial part of the fuel in many building fires. The aim of the article is to monitor the effect of radiant heat on the surface of particle board according to the modified procedure ISO 5657: 1997. The significance of the influence of heat flux density and particle board properties on its thermal resistance (time to ignition) was monitored. Experimental samples were used particle board without surface treatment, with thicknesses of 12, 15, and 18 mm. The samples were exposed to a heat flux from 40 to 50 kW·m⁻². The experimental results are the initiation characteristics such as of the ignition temperature and the weight loss. The determined factors influencing the time to ignition and weight loss were the thickness and density of the plate material, the density of the radiant heat flux and the distance of the particle board from the radiant source (20, 40, and 60 mm). The obtained results show a significant dependence of the time to ignition on the thickness of the sample and on the heat flux density. The weight loss is significantly dependent on the thickness of the particle board. Monitoring the influence of time to ignition from sample distance confirmed a statistically significant dependence. As the distance of the sample from the source increased, the time to ignition decreased linearly. As the distance of the sample from the source increased, the time to ignition increased.

This paper presents the results of monitoring the behaviour of selected wood species exposed to a small ignition initiator. We specifically aimed to investigate the effect of retardant coating on the combustion process of the wood species spruce (Picea abies), red spruce (Larix decidua), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), beech (Fagus sylvatica), and oak (Quercus robur) when exposed to a small initiator of ignition. At the same time, we studied the effect of different types of fungicidal agents (based on N-(3-aminopropyl)-N-dodecylpropane-1,3-diamine; alkyl (C12–16) dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride or 3-iodo-prop-2-inylbutylcarbamate) on the effectiveness of a flame retardant (containing ferric phosphate) applied to the selected fungicide-treated wood samples. The experimentally obtained mass-loss and flame-spread results were statistically evaluated using the QtiPlot software program. A significant dependence of mass loss and surface flame spread on wood species was the primary focus. It was only confirmed for the surface-flame-spread variable. The dependence of the effect of fungicide treatment on the effectiveness of the selected retardant was confirmed. Fungicidal coatings with the active ingredient alkyl/benzyl (C12–16) dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride indicated the lowest mass loss rate and flame spread for all wood samples.

Historical buildings are exposed to an increased risk of fire. The direct influence comes from the buildings’ structural design and the fire protection level. The fundamental principle for reducing the loss of heritage value in historical buildings due to fire is fire protection, as part of crisis management. This article focuses on selected castle buildings from Slovakia. Three castle buildings were selected based on their location in the country. All of them are currently used for museum purposes. Using an analytical form, we assessed fire hazards and fire safety measures in two parts, calculated the fire risk index, and proposed solutions. Qualitative research, which is more suitable for the issue at hand, was used to evaluate the selected objects. The main methods used in the research focused on visual assessment of the current condition of the objects and analysis of fire documentation and its comparison with currently valid legal regulations. Based on the results, we can conclude that Kežmarok Castle (part of the historical city center) has a small fire risk (fire risk index = 13 points). Trenčín Castle (situated on a rock above the city) and Stará Ľubovňa Castle (situated on a limestone hill outside the city, surrounded by forest) have an increased risk of fire (fire risk index = 50–63). Significant risk sources identified included surrounding forest areas, technical failures related to outdated electrical installations, open flames during cultural events, the concentration of highly flammable materials, and complex evacuation routes for both people and museum collections.

Compliance with fire safety standards for wood is crucial for its application in the internal applications of buildings. This article focuses on monitoring the quality of protective coatings for wood under thermal loading conditions. The examined samples of spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) and beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) were treated with selected fungicidal coatings based on dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride. Following this, they were soaked in a ferric phosphate-based flame-retardant solution. Additionally, a portion of the samples was treated solely with the flame retardant. The effectiveness of the protective coatings was assessed through experimental thermal loading of the prepared samples. The testing method adhered to according to selected standards, which evaluate the ignitability of building materials when subjected to a small flame source. The experimental results, including the mass loss, mass loss rate, and time–temperature curves of the thermally loaded samples, demonstrated a significant influence of the selected coatings on thermal degradation. Notably, the fungicidal coating exhibited protective properties. Samples treated only with the flame retardant showed higher mass losses compared to those treated first with the fungicidal coating followed by the retardant. Additionally, differences were observed between the wood types, with beech samples exhibiting greater mass losses and higher mass loss rates than spruce.

Wood-processing industrial facilities in which Norway spruce wood (Picea abies) is processed and where products such as sawdust, wood chips or wood are generated are considered high-risk operations from the perspective of fire safety and explosion hazards. This is due to the combination of combustible material, fine particulate matter, ignition sources, and the potential for dust explosions. In this article, we focused on three different fractions of spruce wood (Picea abies) commonly present in the wood-processing industry: sawdust, wood chips, and compact wood. Experimental measurements were carried out under laboratory conditions in accordance with ISO 871. Ignition temperature, flash-ignition temperature, and activation energy are key parameters that determine the susceptibility of spruce wood, sawdust, and wood dust to ignition. Fine wood fractions exhibit lower activation energy and lower ignition temperatures, which increases the probability of combustion initiation. The activation energy for spontaneous ignition of sawdust was 45.1 kJ·mol⁻¹, compared with 66.5 kJ·mol⁻¹ for compact wood and 31.9 kJ·mol⁻¹ for wood chips. The activation energy for the flash point of sawdust was 48.5 kJ.mol⁻¹, for wood chips was 36.8 kJ.mol⁻¹ and for compact wood was 44.9 kJ.mol⁻¹. In combination with airborne wood dust, these conditions create a significant potential for fire development and dust explosions in wood-processing industrial facilities.

This paper presents a case study of a selected aspect of the fire safety solution for buildings, namely stand-off distances. This issue is addressed in two ways, a prescriptive approach using STN 92 0201 - 4 and using the PyroSim modelling tool. The paper contains a description of the calculation of stand-off distances using the prescriptive approach and a description of the determination of stand-off distances using the PyroSim modelling tool with a comparison of the results of the stand-off distances for a selected area of an apartment. This paper aims to highlight the differences that arise in the determination of spacing distances when some input data are changed and to compare them with the results with simulations.