What Is This Tool?
This converter assists in converting heat flux density measurements from Btu (IT)/second/square foot—a non-SI unit measuring thermal power per area—to foot pound/minute/square foot, an imperial unit expressing energy transfer rates per unit area.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the heat flux density value in Btu (IT)/second/square foot
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Select the output unit as foot pound/minute/square foot
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Click the convert button to obtain the equivalent value
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Use the provided examples as a reference for expected results
Key Features
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Converts heat flux density values between Btu (IT)/second/square foot and foot pound/minute/square foot
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Supports thermal measurements used in fire testing, furnace experiments, and HVAC engineering
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Easy-to-use, browser-based interface suitable for legacy U.S. unit systems
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Provides clear unit definitions and practical use cases
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Includes example conversions to demonstrate the process
Examples
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1 Btu (IT)/second/square foot equals 46690.156 foot pound/minute/square foot
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0.5 Btu (IT)/second/square foot equals 23345.078 foot pound/minute/square foot
Common Use Cases
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Reporting intense radiative heat fluxes in fire resistance evaluations
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Specifying localized heat loads in high-temperature furnace and plasma heating tests
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Describing heat loss or gain through building envelopes in older U.S. engineering documents
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Detailing radiant or convective heat flux in legacy HVAC and technical reports
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Facilitating comparisons between imperial and SI unit measurements in laboratories
Tips & Best Practices
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Always confirm the unit system required for your application to avoid misinterpretation
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Be aware of the large numerical conversion factor due to different time units (seconds vs minutes)
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Use example conversions as a guide for validating your inputs and outputs
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Consider the context and precision requirements when interpreting non-SI units
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Handle unit conversions carefully during documentation and reporting to ensure clarity
Limitations
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Significant differences in time and energy units can lead to large numerical factors that require careful handling
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Both units are non-SI and may be less familiar or less precise compared to SI counterparts
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Conversions should be used with consideration of accuracy and application context to avoid errors
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does Btu (IT)/second/square foot measure?
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It measures the rate of energy transferred per second across each square foot of surface, representing heat flux density in non-SI units.
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Why convert from Btu (IT)/second/square foot to foot pound/minute/square foot?
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This conversion aligns heat flux density measurements with imperial units used in older U.S. engineering and HVAC documentation, enabling easier comparison and interpretation.
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Are these units commonly used in modern scientific work?
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These units are mostly used in legacy contexts; modern scientific work typically prefers SI units, though conversions remain important for certain applications.
Key Terminology
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Btu (IT)/second/square foot
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A non-SI unit expressing the rate of heat energy transferred per second across one square foot of surface area.
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foot pound/minute/square foot
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An imperial unit representing energy transfer rate per unit area, with one foot-pound transferred each minute across one square foot.
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Heat flux density
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The quantity measuring power per unit area, indicating how much energy passes through a surface area over time.