7. Conclusion

Methods for modeling the thermal decomposition of materials can be used to predict the development of a fire, by indicating the quantity of combustible gas produced locally as a function of temperature and likely to fuel the flame.

Isoconversion methods can be used for simple cases. With the advent of imposed model methods applied to complex materials, it is now possible to deal with more complex cases: materials with numerous decomposition stages, and the solid-phase effects of flame retardants, for example.

Complex numerical pyrolysis tools are being developed and integrated into more complex models combining pyrolysis, fluids and heat. Such models can now be used in fire safety engineering to predict the evolution of a fire. However, these methods are still costly in terms of computing power and require a great deal of experimental data,...