- Author
- Tatem, P. A. | Gann, R. G. | Carhart, H. W.
- Title
- Pressurization With Nitrogen as an Extinguishant for Fires in Confined Spaces.
- Coporate
- Naval Research Lab., Washington, DC
- Journal
- Combustion Science and Technology, Vol. 7, 213-218, 1973
- Keywords
- pressurization | nitrogen | extinguishment | combustion chambers | instruments
- Identifiers
- gas sampling
- Abstract
- Pressurization with nitrogen has been studied as a technique for suppressing fires in confined spaces. Liquid hydrocarbon-air fires of various sizes in a gas tight experimental chamber were extinguished in approximately 30 seconds by increasing the total pressure of the enclosure from 1 atm. to 1.35 ± 0.03 atm. The post-fire atmospheres were found to contain sufficient oxygen for support of normal human activity, while the buildup of hazardous combustion products was well below established safety levels.