Hydrocarbon - HCM - HC - RABT - RWS Page 1 of 3

Why fire safety

Fire Curves
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The effect of fire -
Concrete spalling Types of fire exposure

In recent years a great deal of research has taken place internationally to ascertain the types of fire
which could occur in tunnel and underground spaces. This research has taken place in both real,
Tunnel Fires disused tunnels and laboratory conditions.
As a consequence of the data obtained from
these tests, a series of time/temperature curves
for the various exposures have been developed
as detailed.
Fire Curves

Types of fire exposure

Cellulosic curve
Hydrocarbon
Click on the image to enlarge.
Hydrocarbon Modified | TOP |

RABT ZTV curve ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................

RWS curve Cellulosic curve

Standard fire tests to which specimens of constructions subject to are based on the use of the Cellulosic
time/temperature curve, as defined in various national standards, e.g. ISO 834, BS 476 : part 20, DIN
Promat constructions / 4102, AS 1530 etc. Although there are other types of fire test curve e.g. BS 7436, the
applications curve as detailed below for this exposure is the
lowest used in normal practise. This curve is
based on the burning rate of the materials found
in general building materials and contents.
Tunnel forum / FAQ
The temperature development of the Cellulosic
fire curve (ISO-834) is described by the following
equation: T = 20+345*LOG(8*t+1).
References

ISO Certificates Click on the image to enlarge.

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Expert articles
Hydrocarbon

Although the Cellulosic curve has been in use for many years, it soon became apparent that the burning
rates for certain materials e.g. petrol gas, chemicals etc, were well in excess of the rate at which for
Terminology instance, timber would burn. As such, there was a need for an alternative exposure for the purpose of
carrying out tests on structures and materials used within the petrochemical industry, and thus the
hydrocarbon curve was developed.
The hydrocarbon curve is applicable where small
Download petroleum fires might occur, i.e. car fuel tanks,
petrol or oil tankers, certain chemical tankers etc.
In fact, although the hydrocarbon curve is based
on a standardised type fire, there are numerous
types of fire associated with petrochemical fuels.
Contact

Links

Click on the image to enlarge.

Full Scale Fire Tests The temperature development of the Hydrocarbon (HC) fire curve is described by the following equation:

T = 20+1080*(1-0,325*e-0,167*t-0,675*e-2,5*t)
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Hydrocarbon Modified curve

Derived from the above-mentioned Hydrocarbon curve, the French regulation asks for an increased
version of that Hydrocarbon curve, the so called HydroCarbon Modified curve (HCM).
The maximum temperature of the HCM curve is 1300ºC instead of the 1100ºC, standard HC curve.
However, the temperature gradient in the first few
minutes of the HCM fire is as severe as all
Hydrocarbon based fires (RWS, HCM, HC),
possibly causing a temperature shock to the
surrounding concrete structure and concrete
spalling as a result of it.

Click on the image to enlarge

The temperature development of the Hydrocarbon Modified (HCM) fire curve is described by the following equation:
T = 20+1280*(1-0,325*e-0,167*t-0,675*e-2,5*t)

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Hydrocarbon - HCM - HC - RABT - RWS Page 2 of 3

RABT ZTV curve

The RABT curve was developed in Germany as a result of a series of test programmes such as the
Eureka project. In the RABT curve, the temperature rise is very rapid up to 1200°C within 5 minutes.
The duration of the 1200°C exposure is shorter than other curves with the temperature drop off starting
to occur at 30 minutes for car fires. The drop off for train fires only starts at 60 minutes. The 110 minutes
cooling period is applied to both fire curves.

The failure criteria for specimens exposed to the RABT-ZTV time/temperature curve is that the
temperature of the reinforcement should not exceed 300°C. There is no requirement for a maximum
interface temperature.

Click on the image to enlarge.

The temperature development of the RABT-ZTV fire curve(s) is described by the following co-ordinates:

RABT-ZTV (train)
Time (minutes) Temperature (°C)
0 15
5 1200
60 1200
170 15
RABT-ZTV (car)
Time (minutes) Temperature (°C)
0 15
5 1200
30 1200
140 15

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RWS (Rijkswaterstaat) curve

The RWS curve was developed by the Rijkswaterstaat, Ministry of Transport in the Netherlands. This
curve is based on the assumption that in a worst case scenario, a 50 m³ fuel, oil or petrol tanker fire with
a fire load of 300MW could occur, lasting up to 120 minutes. The RWS curve was based on the results
of testing carried out by TNO in the Netherlands in 1979.

Recently the correctness of the RWS fire curve as a design fire curve for road tunnels was reconfirmed
in the Full Scale Tests in the Runehamar tunnel in Norway.

Click on the image to enlarge.

The temperature development of the RWS fire curve is described by the following co-ordinates:

RWS, RijksWaterStaat
Time (minutes) Temperature (°C)
0 20
3 890
5 1140
10 1200
30 1300
60 1350
90 1300
120 1200
180 1200

The difference between the RWS and the Hydrocarbon curve, is that the latter is based on the
temperatures that would be expected from a fire occurring within a relatively open space, where some
dissipation of the heat would occur. The RWS curve is based on the sort of temperature you would find
when a fire occurs in an enclosed area, such as a tunnel, where there is little or no chance of heat
dissipating into the surrounding atmosphere.

The RWS curve simulates the initial rapid growth of a fire using a petroleum tanker as the source, and the gradual drop in
temperatures to be expected as the fuel load is burnt off.

The failure criteria for specimens exposed to the RWS time/temperature curve is that the temperature of the interface between
the concrete and the fire protective lining should not exceed 380°C and the temperature on the reinforcement should not
exceed 250°C.

Apart from the Netherlands, the following countries have adopted the RWS standard,
either as their local legislation or have specified it for specific projects:

• USA (NFPA 502, Standard for Road tunnels, bridges and limited access highway’s).
Click here to download the conversion brochure from the NFPA 502 standard to practical systems and tested solutions
• Italy (UNI 11076)
• Austria (OVBB)
• Singapore (KPE project)
• UAE, Dubai (The Palm Jumeirah development)

The RWS / TNO fire testing procedure (1998-CVB-R1161 (rev. 1)) can be downloaded here.

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Promat Tunnel Fire Protection - Fire curves Page 1 of 1

Types of fire exposure

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Promat Tunnel Fire Protection - Fire curves Page 1 of 1

Cellulosic curve

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Promat Tunnel Fire Protection - Fire curves Page 1 of 1

Hydrocarbon

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Promat Tunnel Fire Protection - Fire curves Page 1 of 1

Hydrocarbon Modified curve

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Promat Tunnel Fire Protection - Fire curves Page 1 of 1

RABT ZTV curve

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Promat Tunnel Fire Protection - Fire curves Page 1 of 1

RWS (Rijkswaterstaat) curve

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Fire curves & Testing

Testing for protection against fire

A fire is a chemical reaction of a fuel source with oxygen accompanied by the creation of flame, smoke, and a
large amount of heat. In fire protection, all three of these need to be guarded against

Testing for exposure to fire follows the same basic principles all over the world. A test specimen is clamped
against a furnace which is programmed to heat up in a pre-defined temperature against time relationship. The
performance of the specimen is assessed by measuring the temperatures on the un-exposed face and
comparing them with acceptable levels specified in international standards.

Microtherm have in-house fire laboratory facilities capable of testing bulkheads, decks or ceilings, lift shaft
access doors, as well as fire safes and fire protection enclosures.

There are two main temperature / time fire relationship curves in common use for building and passenger
transport PFP system evaluation.

Cellulosic curve

The Cellulosic curve, also known as the "A" category fire curve, is the least intense of the fire curves and covers
the basic scenario of a fire of general combustible items such as the furniture and contents of a building and its
materials of construction.
ISO 834-8:2002 Fire Resistance Tests – Elements of building construction – defines it by the relationship –
T = To + 345log10 (8t+1)

where
t is time (min)
T is the furnace temperature (°C) at time t
To is the initial furnace temperature (°C)
Hydrocarbon curve

The Hydrocarbon curve, also known as the "H" category fire curve, is much more intense than the Cellulosic
curve and reaches 1000 oC (1832 oF) in around 7 minutes. As the name implies, it represents combustion of
hydrocarbons for applications such as aviation and vehicle fuel fires and fires in the offshore industry.
ISO 834 (HC) defines it by the relationship – T = To +1080 (1-0,325 e-0,167*t-0,675 e-2,5*t)