HCM

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.

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.

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.

The Hydrocarbon curve is applicable where small 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.

RWS
RABT
HC
HCM
Hydrocarbon
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