Accession Number:

ADA379699

Title:

Laboratory Evaluation of bicarbonate Powders as Fire Suppressants

Descriptive Note:

Conference proceedings

Corporate Author:

NAVY TECHNOLOGY CENTER FOR SAFETY AND SURVIVABILITY WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

• Reed, Mark D.
• Fleming, James W.
• Williams, Bradley A.
• Sheinson, Ronald S.
• Chattaway, Adam

Report Date:

1997-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

11.0

Abstract:

The Combustion Dynamics Section of the Navy Technology Center for Safety and Survivability is actively involved in addressing US Navy needs for fire protection, concentrating on the effectiveness of current and future fire extinguishing agents, with the responsibility to recommend and help design Navy shipboard total flooding fire suppression systems. We are currently examining several replacement agents and alternative suppression technologies including the use of aerosols and powders. This paper describes recent collaborative work with Kidde International on the flame extinction properties of various bicarbonate powders. We have examined the concentration of bicarbonate powders required to extinguish both laboratory counterflow propane-air diffusion flames and small obscured n-heptane pan fires. Extinction information as a function of powder composition and size has been obtained. Within experimental uncertainty, smaller particles were more effective than larger ones. Potassium bicarbonate was more effective than sodium bicarbonate for each particle size studies. Similar dependence on size and powder composition was observed in both the counterflow diffusion flame and small chamber pan fire tests. Powder extinction data are given as well as implications of the findings.

Descriptors:

• *FIRE SUPPRESSION
• AEROSOLS
• POWDERS
• COMBUSTION
• SAFETY
• SHIPBOARD
• FIRE PROTECTION
• FIRE EXTINGUISHING AGENTS
• POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
• BICARBONATES
• SODIUM COMPOUNDS

Subject Categories:

• Safety Engineering

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE