An Evaluation of Aerosol Extinguishing Systems for Machinery Space Applications
Abstract
Full-scale fire tests were conducted to identify the fire extinguishing capabilities and limitations of Aerosol Extinguishing Systems (AES) in shipboard machinery space applications. A total of 18 tests were conducted in this evaluation utilizing the equipment from three AES manufacturers (Ansul, FirePro and Flame Guard). The systems were tested against the current International Maritime Organization's (IMO) test protocol Maritime Safety Committee/Circular (MSC/Circ. 1007) for approving AES for machinery space applications. The conditions produced by the discharge of the AES were quantified during these tests. With respect to the extinguishment capabilities of these systems, all three systems exhibited good capabilities against Class B fires but had difficulty extinguishing the Class A fires. As a result of these limited capabilities against Class A fires, none of the three systems successfully met the requirements of the IMO test protocol (as currently written). Based on the results of these tests, a number of modifications in the procedures, instrumentation, and fire scenarios in the test protocol are recommended.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA451176
Entities
People
- David Beene
- E. Weaver
- Jerry Back
- Lou Nash
- M. Boosinger