An experimental investigation has been completed which studied the breaking of window glass by fire. The experiments were carried out in a specially designed compartment to achieve two-layer flows characteristic of normal building fires. The experimental data was collected from two test groups: the first for windows with their edges insulated from the fire (edge-protected) and the second for windows uniformly heated by the fire (edge-unprotected). The results of the edge-protected window tests indicated that the glass breakage was caused by a critical temperature difference between the central heated portion of the pane and the glass edge. The experimental work showed the critical value to be approximately 90C. After the material properties of the glass were determined, the theoretical findings of Keski-Rahkonen were used to obtain a value of 70C; the difference attributed to radiative heating. The test results also demonstrated a distinctive loss of integrity by the windows. When breakage occurred, the cracks spread throughout the glass, joined together and caused at least partial collapse of the pane. The results from the edge-unprotected window tests were quite different. There were relatively few cracks developed and almost no propagation across the glass. Consequently, there was no window collapse in any of these cases. The breakage did initiate at a consistent glass temperature value, however, the mechanism for these tests is not known. / Master of Science

The Consumer's Guide is designed to help consumers by providing guidelines for the purchase of specific energy-efficient household appliances- water heaters, air conditioning and heating systems, windows, dishwashers, refrigerators, clothes washers, and dryers. This serves two major purposes: to decrease the environmental impact of those products and to save consumers money over the lifetime of the products. The seven major appliances covered in this work are things that consumers tend to purchase quickly when their older models wear out and with little research into their energy and/or water efficiency. The guide begins with a general introduction and an explanation of the need for energy conservation. Explanations of how they work, purchasing tips, installation tips, maintenance tips, tips for additional energy efficiency, and case studies are given for each appliance. Printable pamphlets are included at the end.