FIRE PERFORMANCE OF INTERMODAL SHIPPING CONTAINERS

During the week of 19 July 1976, a full-scale fire test series was performed at the U.S. Coast Guard Fire and Safety Test Detachment to examine the potential Fire hazards of intermodal shipping containers. The three-part test series was conducted on Little Sand Island in Mobile Bay, Alabama. The first sequence of tests were planned to evaluate whether a fire originating within a sealed intermodal container could burn through the container shell. The second task of the test series was to determine the effects of an exterior pool fire exposure on a single level of containers, and the final task was to evaluate the effects of an exterior pool fire exposure on a stack of containers. Standard 8 foot by 8 foot by 20 foot steel, aluminum and fiberglass-reinforced plywood shipping containers were tested. The interior fire tests utilized two 30-pound wood cribs constructed of white fir and 2 gallons of naptha as a fuel source. For the exterior fire tests, a 29 x 24 foot steel test pan containing JP-5 was constructed beneath the container stack. Standard container stacking and lashing arrangements were used for all tests. (Author)

  • Corporate Authors:

    United States Coast Guard

    Research and Development Center, 1082 Shennecossett Road
    Groton, CT  United States  06340-6096
  • Authors:
    • Eberly, R
  • Publication Date: 1977-10

Media Info

  • Pagination: 62 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00169236
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
  • Report/Paper Numbers: CGR/DC-23/77 Final Rpt., USCG-D-62-77
  • Files: NTIS, TRIS
  • Created Date: Feb 16 1978 12:00AM