With the purpose to test how an engine compartment fire develops toxic gases and fire in the passenger compartment five full-scale tests have been performed by Saab Car Division together with the National Testing Institute of Sweden.

This is a description of the test method, performed tests and the conclusions from the tests.

The firewall was videorecorded during the tests to see where, when and how the fire passed though the wall into the passenger compartment.

A heat sensing camera and thermocouples attached to the bulkhead were used to measure the differences in temperature during the tests.

To achieve data about the smoke CO and CO₂ concentrations were sampled during the test.

The conclusion is that this method is useful for testing the fire spread through the bulkhead and the development of toxic gases in the passenger compartment.

The materials that are usedt o seal around the passagesfo r electrical wiring, flexible tubings etc. are extremely important for the fire spread in cars.