Fuel Spill Fire Testing of an Ignitable Liquid Drainage Floor Assembly (ILDFA) for Chemical-Free Fire Control/Suppression
Abstract
Fire suppression systems in modern USAF aircraft hangars typically include the use of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) containing poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and high expansion (Hi-Ex) foaming agents. Several inadvertent activations of both the legacy AFFF, and newer Hi-Ex based suppression systems have resulted in significant damage to aircraft systems due to submersion of the aircraft in foam. The Air Force is pursuing fire protection strategies for aircraft hangars that minimize use of chemical additives but meet mission requirements and mitigate asset losses from fuel spill fires. One potential solution is flooring that provides rapid drainage of fuel spills with water flushing active removal of the flammable liquids from the aircraft hangar. A commercial Ignitable Liquid Drainage Floor Assembly (ILDFA) was installed at Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB) for evaluating its effectiveness. A range of fuel spill fires, with and without the ILDFA, were conducted to measure the potential damage that would occur to aircraft and equipment in the vicinity of a spill fire. Fire test quantitative analysis and documentation were supported by video imagery, temperature measurements, and heat absorption calculations to provide critical and interpretable information on fire spread and potential material damage. The findings were compared to available data on thermal delamination of modern aircraft composites and from previous fuel spill fire tests. The ILDFA effectively reduced the fuel spread, temperature, and heat absorption profile for various fuel spill fire sizes compared to unmitigated fuel spill fires on concrete, limiting potential damage to aircraft, equipment, and risk to personnel in the vicinity of a fire. This fire threat reduction was also significant when the ILDFA water flushing system was purposely deactivated.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 14, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1168510
Entities
People
- Bridgett Ashley
- Glenn Johnson
- Heather R. Luckarift
- Malena Maraviglia
- Nathaniel Horn
- Steven Wells
Organizations
- Air Force Civil Engineer Center
- Battelle Memorial Institute