SHIP FIRE CHARACTERISTICS. PART 1. SEALED COMPARTMENTS

To optimize weight and cost of fire protection for aluminum ships, it is essential to know the characteristics of the fire threat. Since fire behavior is a function of fuel and environment--particularly of ventilation, fire characteristics are studied as a function of typical conditions aboard Navy ships. This report deals with various ventilation conditions. Fire characteristics such as burning rate, fuel consumed, temporal and spatial heating patterns, and O2, CO2, and CO concentrations at extinguishment were measured. With all class A and B fuels examined, by flaming combustion stopped at oxygen concentrations of 10-15%. Factors such as pool size, compartments volume, and fire location had as much effect on oxygen concentration for self-extinguishment as the oxygen index. Because fuel consumed was proportional to available oxygen, the heat released and the thermal hazard can be estimated from compartment volume. Sealed compartments offer a simple lightweight form of passive fire protection. The concept of spaces too small to flashover is explored with a simple model.

• Corporate Authors:

  Naval Surface Weapons Center

  White Oak Laboratory
  Silver Spring, MD  United States  20910
• Authors:
  • Alger, R S
  • Wiersma, S J
  • McKee, R G
  • Johnson, W H
  • Laughridge, F I
• Publication Date: 1976-11-10

Media Info

• Pagination: 80 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aluminum; Bedding; Burning rate; Carbinols; Classification; Combustion; Fire prevention; Fires; Flammability; Fuel consumption; Hazards; Heating (Structures); Heating, cooling and ventilation equipment; Jet engine fuels; Military vessels; Plastics; Protection; Safety; Ship structural components; Ships; Vehicle compartments; Vehicle components; Ventilation systems
• Uncontrolled Terms: Aluminum structures; Ship fires
• Old TRIS Terms: Fire hazard classification; Heat of combustion; Heat of vaporization; Hexanes; Sealed systems; Ship auxiliary equipment
• Subject Areas: Energy; Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00168552
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NSWC/WOL/TR-76-125
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 27 1978 12:00AM