- Author
- Bill, R. G., Jr. | Ferron, R. | Braga, A.
- Title
- Water Mist (Fine Spray) Fire Protection in Light Hazard Occupancies.
- Coporate
- Factory Mutual Research Corp., Norwood, MA
- Journal
- Journal of Fire Protection Engineering, Vol. 10, No. 3, 1-22, 2000
- Keywords
- water mist | fire protection | nozzles | large scale fire tests | walls | water supply | scenarios | temperature | flow rate | gas temperature
- Identifiers
- characteristics of Nozzle A; description of FMRC residential fuel package; standard bed contents; fire test summary; actuation times (min:s); gas concentration and temperature results
- Abstract
- The capability of impingement type water mist (fine spray) nozzles, with operating pressures lower than 12 bar, was investigated in full-scale fire tests using light hazard scenarios. In these tests, four prototype nozzles were evaluated; however, only one of the nozzles (Nozzle A) provided satisfactory protection. The results of the tests, with Nozzle A, are reported as an indication of the capabilities of impingement type water mist nozzles in light hazard occupancies. Nozzle A was typically operated at a flow rate of 15 Lpm and a pressure of 10 bar. The fire tests were conducted in a room 5.5 m x 5.5 m with openings to two adjacent rooms (and in one test, an opening to a corridor). The fuel packages used in the fire tests were: the residential fuel package of Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a living room fuel package, a bedroom fuel package, and a shielded heptane pool fire. The UL and the living room fuel packages were used in a room corner and along a wall between two nozzles. Gas temperature measurements indicated that Nozzle A provided acceptable protection in the fire tests of this study with a total water flow rate of 45 Lpm. Based on the results of this study and a review of previous work with water mist systems, recommendations for approval testing and installation standards have been made for light hazard scenarios.