- Author
- Atallah, S. | Stricoff, R. S.
- Title
- Evaluation of the Auxiliary Agents and Systems for Aircraft Ground Fire Suppression. Phase 2. Final Report. August 9, 1972-December 10, 1973.
- Coporate
- Little (Arthur D.), Inc., Cambridge, MA
- Sponsor
- Department of Defense, Washington, DC
- Report
- ADL-C-74159-2; ASD-TR-73-41, May 1974, 116 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Contract
- F33657-72-C-0422
- Keywords
- aircraft structures | fire extinguishers | fire fighting | ground support equipment | fire extinguishing agents | halon 1211 | potassium bicarbonate | fire tests | aircraft fires | ground fires
- Identifiers
- fire extinguishing agents
- Abstract
- An experimental program was conducted to assess the capabilities of three extinguishing agents under similar fire test conditions. The agents tested were a carbamic powder (CP), halon 1211, and an experimental modification of potassium bicarfbonate (PKX). Tests were first conducted to select appropriate nozzles and operating pressures for PKX portable and wheeled extinguishers and halon 1211 portable units. The operating characteristics of portable and wheeled units for all three agents tested are provided. Fire extinguishing tests were next conducted on reproducible configurations simulating interior and exterior aircraft fire conditions. Interior fires included electrical fires, compartment fires involving various individual and mixed fuels and hidden oil fires. Tests also were conducted to evaluate the compatibility of the two dry chemicals with protein and AFF foams, the effective range of all extinguishers used in the program, and the corrosive or deteriorating effects of agents on typical aircraft materials, electrical circuits, and relays. It was concluded that CP and PKX are effective under the test conditions in combatting large aircraft exterior fires. Halon 1211 was not effective under these test conditions but was effective on fires in enclosed spaces and was particularly recommended for engine nacelle fires. CP also was effective in combatting fires in a simulated engine nacelle. PKX became ineffective as the engine opening was obstructed with vanes.