AN EVALUATION OF CERTAIN ASPECTS OF MULTIPURPOSE POWDER FIRE EXTINGUISHING AGENTS
Abstract
Class A fires of the wooden crib type were modeled on a small scale and correlated with Underwriters' Laboratories tests of multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguishing powders. Satisfactory agreement was obtained compared with water extinguishment on the same models. Woodfire extinguishment efficiency of two of the products closely approached that of water. Multipurpose powders applied with proper technique, are effective in the extinguishment of rubbertire fires, but a solution of wetting agent in water shows measurable advantages in efficiency on this type of fire. Class B fires of the tankconfined gasoline fuel type bicarbonate dry chemical powders show a 30% weight efficiency superiority in the same tests. Low-temperature (-40 F) operation of the various candidate devices with their powders shows efficient discharge. Fully satisfactory extinguishment can be expected on Class A, Class B, or mixed-classsing a piped dry chemical system are extinguished with equal amounts of both sodium bicarbonate type powders and multipurpose powders. Potassium bicarbonate dry chemical powders show a 30% weight efficiency superiority in the same tests. Low-temperature (-40 F) operation of the various candidate devices with their powders shows efficient discharge. Fully satisfactory extinguishment can be expected on Class A, Class B, or mixed-class fires at these temperatures provided there is no leakage of extinguisher pressure. Since Class C fires may be considered as mixed-class types, with the added hazard of possible energized electrical circuits, this class of fire was not modeled. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 16, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0282936
Entities
People
- R.l. Tuve
- R.r. Neill
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory