Three existing models of upward flame spread were tested against intermedia
te-scale experiments on a vinyl ester/glass composite, Characterization of
rate of heat release per unit area, needed as input to the models, was obta
ined at external radiant fluxes below the minimum for ignition by adaptatio
n of a method due to Kulkarni. There are several limitations on the accurac
y of the material characterization when applied to composites. Each of the
flame spread models has definite limitations as well. Nevertheless, all thr
ee models produced predictions of spread behavior in sufficiently quantitat
ive agreement with the experiments that they should prove useful for engine
ering analyses of flame spread potential, Published by Elsevier Science Ltd
.