Time, s 



Figure 3. --Typical toad histories of burning fuel baskets at six different packing 

 ratios. The percent load loss through combustion is indicated at the end of the 

 first major period of fuel consumption and at 20 seconds for 3 = 0.004 to ^ = 0.016 

 and at 50 seconds for 3 = 0.032 to ^ = 0.065. 



Five replications of the load history were made at six packing^ratios from 0.004 

 to 0.065. Table 1 is a compilation of the maximum load-loss rate, w, obtained from 

 the burning basket. Table 2 contains Rothermel's original data for excelsior from 

 horizontal spreading fires. Both sets of data are displayed in figure 4 along with a 

 prediction of w according to Rothermel (1972) (appendix B) . The prediction differs 

 from the original excelsior data because the results of other fuel sizes were amalga- 

 mated by Rothermel to obtain the generalized expression for reaction velocity and thus 

 the maximum load-loss rate. 



4 



