- Author
- Budnick, E. K. | Forssell, E. W. | Back, G. G., III | Willard, R. L. | Ouellette, R. J. | Leonard, J. T.
- Title
- Preliminary Evaluation of High Expansion Foam Systems for Shipboard Applications. March 1991-October 1991.
- Coporate
- Hughes Associates, Inc., Baltimore, MD Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC
- Sponsor
- Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC
- Report
- NRL/MR/6180-95-7785, November 27, 1995, 66 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- ships | shipboard fires | high expansion foams | evaluation | fire tests | effectiveness | class A fires | class B fires | fire suppression
- Abstract
- A preliminary evaluation was conducted on the feasibility of protecting shipboard spaces with high expansion foam systems. Two series of tests were conducted on the effectiveness of high expansion foam on intense Class A and B fires under conditions similar to those found in shipboard spaces. A number of areas requiring further study were also identified. This investigation demonstrated that high expansion foam can be an effective fire suppression agent in shipbaord fire scenarios. However, additional work is needed in the areas of compartment access, foam removal and cleanup, application rates, foam properties and venting of air displaced by the foam. These topics should be addressed in full-scale shipboard tests.