Fire Tests of Men’s Suits on Racks!

A series of fire tests were conducted to characterize the potential hazard from ignition of men’s suits hanging on racks. The fire test scenario was selected as part of a fire investigation being conducted by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Heat release rate was determined as a function of time from ignition using the oxygen depletionprinciple. In addition, the total heat flux from the burning suits and the mass loss were measured. Three tests were conducted with the suits placed in the open under a large calorimeter. The suits were ignited either in the center or at the end of the rack with a propane torch. Peak heat release rates obtained during the tests ranged from approximately 1 MW to 2 MW.

Introduction to the Fire Test:

Measurement of the rate at which a burning item releases heat is a critical parameter in fire protection engineering. The heat release rate can be used in the characterization of the hazard represented by a given fuel package. Heat release rate can provide information on fire size and fire growth rate. When used as input to a computer fire model, the heat release rate can be used to estimate available egress time and determine detection or suppression system activation time. Heat flux measurements can be used to estimate potential for ignition of adjacent fuel items.

As part of a fire investigation, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) was interested in determining the rate of heat release and burning characteristics from a rack of men’s suits. Photographs of the test arrangement showing the racks of suits are presented as figures 1 and 2. Figure 3 presents front and side views of the test arrangement with dimensions illustrating the location of the heat flux sensors.

Results:

The heat release rate curves obtained as a function of time from ignition for the three fire tests. In all three tests, a heat release rate of approximately 1 MW is sustained for about 5 minutes. The peak heat release rate for the first and third tests is about 1 MW while the obtained at the entrance to the exhaust

hood immediately above the center of the burning clothes is shown in Figure 18. During most of

the tests, the temperature above the burning clothes is 150 °C (302 °F). The temperature spikes

briefly to 200 °C (392 °F) during the early portion of the second test. The total heat flux data

obtained from the two sensors in the three tests are shown in Figures 19 and 20. There is good

agreement between the two sensors. Finally, the mass loss rate data for the three tests is presented in Figure 21. The initial mass of suits and racks was 55.8 kg (123 lb), 57.1 kg (126

lb), and 57.6 kg (127 lb) for the first, second, and third tests, respectively. The final mass at the end of the first, second, and third tests was 46.7 kg (103 lb), 48.0 kg (106 lb), and 49.0 kg (108lb), respectivelylb), and 57.6 kg (127 lb) for the first, second, and third tests, respectively.

Suits -> Men’s Fashion!

About Suits:

Without wearing suits, men would have nil. In the pecking order of style, a fine suit remains a man’s only chance. Even in this miserable age of casual-wear, the suit yet silently carries an air of success, taste, and superiority. The suit looks better in restaurants, train journey, dinner parties or Paris; in little words, everywhere you want to be. It is, in its finest forms, a whole outfit that will never fail you.

And that is accurately what it will do, if you use it right. It is designed to make you appear better, to break boundaries between public classes, to make a small men tall with pinstripes or an overweight man rich with soft wools. Sadly the majority of suits you see look unpleasant. This isn’t essential. Even if you work 10 hours with your jacket on, being aware of your clothing will keep you prepared for cocktails after work. Too many men also don’t care or don’t know how to dress in a suit, and, correctly, look like shit. For that avoiding is the best option.

To start us off, little wide-ranging rules should be observed when trying a suit, and most relate to first-class dressing in general:

1. The suit, it doesn’t matter the style, requirements to be fit your body, perfectly. This shows all pieces must be cut and modified fitting to your form. Unexpectedly, this doesn’t need a lot of money (500$ can, in fact, get you a first-class suit) but it does take an eye, and the power to ignore any sugary compliments from salesmen.

2. Trends have 6 to 18 month shelf lives. If you decide to retire your

3. Suits are made of wool or fiber, and their variations.

4. You are an interesting, confident, multicolored man. Let others study that from how you act, not from the tag on your jacket.

5. A Jacket suit goes with suit pants, not with chinos or jeans. If you wish for a casual jacket, purchase a sport-coat or a blazer. Stand-up comedians are frequently shot over this law.

6. If you’re not happy—if you don’t feel the suits fitting for you—the salesman’s looking out for his payment, not your style.

7. A humbly, properly dressed man has never failed to make an impact on others viewing. Yes, not at all.