Responding to Composite Fires: First Responder Training Module
Abstract
The important and growing use of composite materials in civilian and military applications, such as in aircraft, motor vehicles, mass transit and marine industry creates new and often unrecognized hazards for firefighters and the general public. Researchers in the US and overseas have identified that: composites are combustible materials, ignition can occur in as little as four seconds in a Cone Calorimeter, heat release rates exceed those for kiln dried pine lumber, and composites produce "deep-seated" fires. Firefighting research has not yet addressed the impact of these new materials, which in many cases replace noncombustible metals. The Air Force and NASA have committed major efforts over the past 30 years to understanding the post fire hazards related to dispersed fibers and combustion products. This research resulted in the recent publication of First Responder PPE and operating requirements as part of the Hazardous Aerospace Materials Mishap Emergency Response (HAMMER) integrated product team. A training module is under development that incorporates these requirements and other relevant materials for first responders. The purpose of this training module is to provide civilian and military firefighters and first responders with the methodologies they need to assure rapid and safe extinguishment of composite materials fires.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 31, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA588657
Entities
People
- C. H. Newton
- D. Mcbride
- Douglas Dierdorf
- J. W. Gillespie Jr.
- Jennifer Kiel
- S. Yarlagadda
- T. Harmon
Organizations
- Applied Research Associates (United States)