What is the role of temperature rise measurements in fire investigations?

The role of temperature rise measurements in fire investigations is crucial to understanding how various materials and systems react under fire conditions. When evaluating the performance of protective membranes, temperature rise measurements can provide data on how well these materials protect underlying structures from heat and fire exposure. This is essential in assessing their effectiveness in preventing fire spread and protecting occupants or property.

By measuring how temperature changes in the vicinity of protective membranes during a fire, investigators can determine if the membranes are effectively insulating underlying materials or if they have failed to offer the necessary protection. Such measurements can influence building codes and regulations by providing empirical data regarding fire resistance and the adequacy of materials used in construction.

The other options do not align with the specific purpose of temperature rise measurements in fire investigations as directly as assessing protective membrane performance. For instance, while moisture content, fire extinguisher efficiency, and time of ignition are relevant topics in fire investigations, they do not primarily involve temperature rise data to the same extent as the evaluation of protective membranes.