Lateral Ignition and Flamespread Tests (LIFT) 1
The time that it takes to ignite a piece of T1-11 siding using the LIFT apparatus and Forest
Service protocols is one indication of the ability of a product (the combination of concentrate
and water as prescribed by the manufacturer) to slow or prevent ignition, especially of a
vertical surface such as might be found on a structure in the wildland/urban interface. The
LIFT test is used as a part of the evaluation for both foam and water enhancer products.
The ignition reduction is a numeric value that compares the ignition time for water and the
enhanced water mixture during the same test period. It is calculated as shown below:
Ignition Reduction
=
Time to Ignition, mixed product
Time to Ignition, water
The water enhancer products currently in use are sensitive to the quality of the water used to
prepare the mixed product. Hardness especially affects the consistency and ability of the
product to remain on a vertical or uneven surface.
In the field, the mix ratio and water quality, the condition of the wood surface, the weather, and
fire intensity, and the characteristics of the product as well as the age and extent of the
application of the enhanced water mixture or foam will impact the level of protection afforded
by the product in an actual fire situation.
Product Performance Data on next page 1
Standard Test Procedure 2.2 gives detailed instructions for the LIFT test. STP-2.2 is
available at http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/fire/wfcs/tests/stp02_2.htm
9/29/08
Lateral Ignition and Flamespread Tests (LIFT)
Class A Foam
Product Name
Concentration 4
Time to Ignition, seconds
Ignition
Reduction 1
Product
Water
Untreated
Tyco Silv-Ex
1.0%
0.4%
1.1
1.7
139 ± 13
181 ± 6
128 ± 26
107 ± 13
84 ± 21
72 ± 13
FireFoam 103B
1.0%
0.4%
1.3
1.4
165 ± 32
152
128 ± 26
107 ± 13
84 ± 21
72 ± 13
Phos-Chek WD 881
1.0%
0.4%
1.9
1.7
211 ± 41
194 ± 32
112 ± 23
112 ± 23
80 ± 20
80 ± 20
FireFoam 104
1.0%
0.4%
1.6
1.3
172
134 ± 20
107 ± 13
107 ± 13
72 ± 13
72 ± 13
Angus ForExpan S
1.0%
0.4%
1.6
1.1
199 ± 124
118
128 ± 26
107 ± 13
84 ± 21
72 ± 13
Pyrocap B-136
1.0%
0.4%
0.8
0.9
100 ± 61
101
128 ± 26
107 ± 13
84 ± 21
72 ± 13
Notes:
1
Ignition Reduction = (Product, Ignition Time) / (Water, Ignition Time)
2
Forest Service Protocol using T1-11 siding.
3
Standard Test Procedure 2.2 gives instructions for the LIFT test. STP-2.2 is available at http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/fire/wfcs/tests/stp02_2.htm
Substrates treated with 1.0% foam were exposed to the radiant panel immediately after treatment; substrates treated with 0.4% foam were allowed
4
to soak for 5 minutes in the horizontal position prior to exposure to the radiant panel.
1/9/09
Lateral Ignition and Flamespread Tests (LIFT)
Class A Foam
Product Name (As Evaluated)
Concentration 4
Time to Ignition, seconds
Ignition
Reduction 1
Product
Water
Untreated
Phos-Chek WD 881-C
1.0%
0.4%
2.1
2.1
255 ± 49
257 ± 55
124 ± 19
124 ± 19
86 ± 26
86 ± 26
Phos-Chek Anchor Point
1.0%
0.4%
2.9
3.0
379 ± 202
389 ± 191
131 ± 26
131 ± 26
88 ± 23
88 ± 23
National Foam KnockDown
1.0%
0.4%
1.9
2.1
225 ± 43
241 ± 70
116 ± 22
114 ± 20
83 ± 21
80 ± 20
Summit FlameOut
1.0%
0.4%
1.2
1.5
141 ± 24
180 ± 26
120 ± 13
120 ± 13
77 ± 20
77 ± 20
Angus Hi-Combat A
1.0%
0.4%
1.6
1.7
204 ± 18
210 ± 33
125 ± 19
125 ± 19
84 ± 20
84 ± 20
Buckeye Platinum Class A
1.0%
0.4%
2.3
2.8
285 ± 27
356 ± 146
125 ± 19
125 ± 19
84 ± 20
84 ± 20
Notes:
1
Ignition Reduction = (Product, Ignition Time) / (Water, Ignition Time)
2
Forest Service Protocol using T1-11 siding.
3
Standard Test Procedure 2.2 gives instructions for the LIFT test. STP-2.2 is available at http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/fire/wfcs/tests/stp02_2.htm
Substrates treated with 1.0% foam were exposed to the radiant panel immediately after treatment; substrates treated with 0.4% foam were allowed
4
to soak for 5 minutes in the horizontal position prior to exposure to the radiant panel.
1/9/09
Lateral Ignition and Flamespread Tests (LIFT)
Class A Foam
Product Name (As Evaluated)
Concentration 4
Time to Ignition, seconds
Ignition
Reduction 1
Product
Water
Untreated
Chemguard First Class
1.0%
0.4%
1.4
1.9
175 ± 21
234 ± 19
125 ± 19
125 ± 19
84 ± 20
84 ± 20
Solberg Fire-Brake 3150A
1.0%
0.4%
1.0
2.0
133 ± 29
277 ± 27
136 ± 40
136 ± 40
93 ± 17
93 ± 17
Phos-Chek First Response
1.0%
0.4%
1.4
2.0
154 ± 21
225 ± 56
112 ± 23
112 ± 23
80 ± 20
80 ± 20
Notes:
1
Ignition Reduction = (Product, Ignition Time) / (Water, Ignition Time)
2
Forest Service Protocol using T1-11 siding.
3
Standard Test Procedure 2.2 gives instructions for the LIFT test. STP-2.2 is available at http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/fire/wfcs/tests/stp02_2.htm
Substrates treated with 1.0% foam were exposed to the radiant panel immediately after treatment; substrates treated with 0.4% foam were allowed
4
to soak for 5 minutes in the horizontal position prior to exposure to the radiant panel.
1/9/09