Aqueous Extinguisher Discharge and the Effects on Core Body Temperature and Skin Burn/Frostbite

reportActive / Technical Report | Accesssion Number: AD1201493 | Open PDF

Abstract:

Since the cessation of production of high ozone depleting substances such as halon 1301(bromotrifluoromethane, CF3Br), the US Army has relied on hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) extinguishing agents for many of its fire suppression applications. However, production of HFCs is being phased down due to their high global warming potentials (GWP). Therefore, the Army initiated a research program to evaluate potential environmentally friendly, low-GWP chemicals as candidate fire extinguishing agents for use in automatic fire extinguishing systems (AFES) that protect the crews of Army vehicles against fire and explosions caused by combat threats. The current effort is a continuation of research conducted for ground and aviation weapon systems [1,2,3,4]. One of the few remaining potential low-GWP agents identified for crew protection is water mixed with a freeze point depressant. This report summarizes an evaluation of the use of water in a fire protection system in a collaborative effort between the US Army DEVCOM GVSC and ThermoAnalytics, Inc. Specifically, we present modeling and simulation results and an assessment of the effects of an aqueous agent when discharged into a confined space onto a vehicle crew member under varying environmental conditions.

Author(s):
Fritsch, Joshua ; Hodges, Steve ; Mccormick, Steve ; Slemons, James ; Korivi, Vamshi ; Grunin, Arkady ; Curran, Al ; Gibbs, Scott ; Rynes, Pete
Author Organization(s):
ThermoAnalyticds, Inc.
Funding Organization(s):
GROUND VEHICLE SYSTEMS CENTER WARREN MI, WARREN , MI
Document Type:
Technical Report/Final Report
Publication Date:
2023 Mar 01
Pagination:
19

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution Code:
A - Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement: Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TRECMS
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
OPSEC 7442
Subject Terms
Communities of Interest:
Biomedical
Descriptor(s):
climate change, body temperature, heat capacity, medical personnel, test and evaluation, fire protection, heat transfer, burns, fire suppression, chemical warfare agents, fire extinguishing agents, ground vehicles, physical properties, arrhenius equation, environment, fire extinguishers, fluids
Keyword(s):
high ozone depleting substances, hfc(hydrofluorocarbon), gwp(global warming potentials)
Subject Categories:
Mechanical, Industrial, Civil and Marine Engineering; Mechanical, Industrial, Civil and Marine Engineering; Chemistry
Creation Date:
2023 May 18
Update Date:
2023 Jul 03