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Table 4 The main irritant and asphyxiant components in fire gases and their toxic potencies (in terms of incapacitating; and lethal concentrations) for a 30-min exposure period (ISO 13344 1996: ISO 13571 2012)

From: The fire toxicity of polyurethane foams

Yield largely independent of fire condition

Yield decreases as ventilation decreases

Yield increases as ventilation decreases

HF (500; 2900 ppm)

CO2 (~7 %; ~10 %) also replaces O2 and increases respiration rate).

CO (1170 ppm; 5700 ppm)

HCl (1000; 3800 ppm)

NO2 (170; 250 ppm)

HCN (82 ppm;165 ppm)

HBr (1000; 3800 ppm)

SO2 (150;1400 ppm)

Acrolein (30 ppm;150 ppm)

Formaldehyde (250 ppm; 750 ppm)

Aromatics, aldehydes, ketones etc.