- Author
- Eggleston, L. A. | Herrera, W. R. | Commerford, G. E.
- Title
- Automatic Fire Protection System for Manned Hyperbaric Chambers. Phase 1. System Development. Final Report. June 13, 1968-August 1, 1970.
- Coporate
- Southwest Research Inst., San Antonio, TX
- Sponsor
- Naval Civil Engineering Lab., Port Hueneme, CA
- Report
- NCEL-CR-70-003, August 1, 1970, 114 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Contract
- N62399-68-C-0022
- Keywords
- hyperbaric chambers | controlled atmospheres | fire prevention | warning systems | atmospheric pressure | combustion products | fire extinguishers | infrared detectors | systems engineering | fire suppression | flame detectors
- Identifiers
- detection systems
- Abstract
- The problems of fire detection and suppression in dense atmospheres typical of diving chamber service are analyzed, with special attention to nitrogen-oxygen up to 8 atm and helium-oxygen up to 45 atm. Spectral comparisons indicate either infrared or ultraviolet flame detectors may be used. A water rate for suppression is estimated at 2-3 gpm/sq ft, and supported by fire test data. The flash-off of dissolved gases can be a serious problem in system design. A closed water loop balanced to chamber pressure and pump driven when needed is preferred to any system which exposes water to gas pressures above the chamber operating level for periods long enough to permit saturation.