- Author
- Leonard, J. T. | Beller, R. C. | Burns, R. E. | Darwin, R. L. | Jablonski, E. J. | Williams, F. W.
- Title
- Preliminary Evaluation of the performance of Remote Controlled Firefighting Platforms in Combating Flight Deck Fires. Final Report.
- Coporate
- GEO-Centers, Inc., Fort Washington, MD Hughes Associates, Inc., Baltimore, MD Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC
- Report
- NRL/MR/6180-01-8549, April 23, 2001, 28 p.
- Keywords
- fire fighting | flight decks | robotics | aircraft carriers | extinguishing | heat flux | wind effects | nozzles | fire fighting equipment
- Identifiers
- non-fire tests; Remote Controlled Firefighting Platforms (RCFP); vehicle approaching with the wind (upwind); vehicle approaching against the wind (downwind); night tests; testf of RCFP modifications; tests of increased nozzle flow
- Abstract
- The Remote Control Firefighting Platform (RCFP) concept was developed as an addition to the present complement of firefighting equipment available to aircraft carrier crash/salvage crews. The main advantage of the RCFP is its ability to move into an area where the incident heat flux level exceeds the protection of a fire proximity suit. Thus the RCFP is able to approach an uncontrolled fire from the downwind side, something which proved impossible for the crewmen combating the fire on the USS NIMITZ on May 26, 1981. The RCFP also provides the capability to cool ordnance, which could cook-off at any time, without exposing crewmembers. Present NATOPS procedures require firefighters to operate from a minimum of 15 m (50 ft) away when ordnance cook-off is imminent. Two RCFP prototypes were developed by the Naval Surface Weapons Center to provide initial validation of the RCFP concept, as well as to identify improvements for future designs. One of the vehicles, designated the Firecat, was a battery-powered, tracked vehicle, and the other, the Firefox, a gasoline driven, skid steer vehicle. The RCFP prototypes were tested against a standard debris pile fire, which included a running fuel fire, generally recognized as the most challenging type of flammable liquid fire to extinguish. The RCFPs were tested singly and in joint operations under a variety of approach angles, wind conditions and nozzle flow rates. A number of tests were run with various modifications to the basic RCFP prototypes, such as the addition of a boom to improve nozzle reach. Also, several tests were run at night with light provided only by the burning debris pile. A total of 45 fire tests were conducted.