- Author
-
Rodden, R. M.
- Title
- Significant Primary Fires From Nuclear Detonations. Final Report.
- Coporate
- Southwest Research Inst., San Antonio, TX
- Sponsor
- Office of Civil Defense, Washington, DC
- Report
-
Final Report; Wrok Unit 4311 C,
January 1966,
65 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Contract
- OCD-OS-63-149
- Keywords
-
nuclear explosions
|
detonation
|
thermal radiation
|
ignition
|
kindling fuels
|
thermal ignition
|
heat release
|
radiation ignition
- Abstract
- Thermal radiation from a nuclear detonation can ignite kindling materials over wide areas. Some ignitions will result in significant fires, or fires which, if not controlled, will destroy one or more compartments or structures. On the basis of data derived during ignition point surveys in 1953 and 1956, the study identifies important kindling fuels; their freuency distribution and likelihood of exposure to nuclear detonations; and the probability of significant primary fires developing from exposed kindling fuels. Important kindling fuels are selected from among materials that can be readily ignited and, upon ignition, have a high probability of resulting in a significant fire. Limited available evidence indicates that frequency of occurrence and probability of exposure of kindling fuels to nuclear bursts will be high in most urban areas. Techniques are presented for estimating the range and incidence of significant primary fires. Such techniques can be used when data are lacking or when limited time or resources prevent the expenditure of the effort required to assess a potential fire problem in detail.