THE EFFECTIVENESS OF 'FIRE GAS RECIRCULATION' EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS ON SHIPBOARD MACHINERY SPACE FIRES

This report details the fire research conducted on board the M/V RHODE ISLAND during the week of 5 February 1973. These tests, conducted at the U.S. Coast Guard Fire and Safety Test Facility in Mobile, Alabama, were designed to evaluate the degree of control of machinery space fires which can be attained using the gaseous products of the fire itself. For these tests, two plenum chambers were installed on opposite corners of the RHODE ISLAND's machinery space casing top, through which the products of combustion could be cooled and recirculated. Full scale fires were started in the ship's machinery space, and after selected preburn periods, the gaseous products of combustion were conducted from the machinery space, cooled, humidified, and returned to the same compartment. By this method, the machinery space was flooded with an oxygen deficient atmosphere, thereby terminating any combustion within the space. (Modified author abstract)

• Corporate Authors:

  United States Coast Guard

  Research and Development Center, 1082 Shennecossett Road
  Groton, CT  United States  06340-6096
• Authors:
  • Eberly, R
• Publication Date: 1974-6

Media Info

• Pagination: 44 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Engine rooms; Facilities; Fire extinguishing agents; Fire fighting equipment; Fires; Flammability tests
• Old TRIS Terms: Engine room fires; Fire testing facilities
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00084794
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: CGR/DC-15/74 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 29 1975 12:00AM