On the heat release of burning karaoke music compartments

The possible heat release rates of fires resulting from burning combustibles in 900 karaoke music compartments of 19 local karaokes were studied. Combustibles of concern are furniture foam, partitions and surface lining materials. Equations appearing in the literature for calculating the heat release rates of these combustibles are used. Heat release rates of furniture foams were studied first, followed by igniting surface lining materials classified under the Swedish system. The likelihood of flashover in those 900 karaoke music compartments was then investigated. Further, the total heat release rate curves for burning foam, surface lining materials and carpets are studied using the results reported in the literature. Based on this study, it is recommended to select furniture foam with less heat release rates upon burning, and replace timber surface lining materials as soon as possible. As an urgent action, a good fire safety management scheme "tailor-made" for individual karaokes is to be imp lemented.