- Author
- Back, G. G. | Parker, A. J. | Scheffey, J. L. | Williams, F. W. | Gott, J. E. | Tabet, R. J.
- Title
- Effects of Water Sprinklers on the Performance of Low Level AFFF Aircraft Hangar Fire Suppression Systems.
- Coporate
- Hughes Associates, Inc., Baltimore, MD Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, DC
- Sponsor
- Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC
- Report
- NRL/MR/6180-00-8456, May 20, 2000, 114 p.
- Distribution
- AVAILABLE FROM National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161. Telephone: 1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000; Fax: 703-605-6900; Rush Service (Telephone Orders Only) 800-553-6847; Website: http://www.ntis.gov
- Keywords
- sprinklers | water | aircraft hangars | fire suppression | aircraft fuels | aqueous films | aqueous foams | large scale fire tests
- Identifiers
- spill fire; point source model
- Abstract
- Current Navy design standards for protecting large aircraft hangars include both overhead and low level aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) extinguishing systems. The overhead AFFF system typically consists of standard closed head sprinklers that are zoned within areas defined by draft curtains. In some existing installations, the overhead systems are open head deluge systems. The low level system typically consists of multiple high flow monitors (e.g., 1893 Lpm (500 gpm)). The low level AFFF and overhead deluge sprinkler systems are activated by separate detection systems (heat detection or UV/IR). Due to high costs incurred from damage of aircraft and electronics resulting from accidental discharges of the overhead AFFF system in addition to environmental concerns associated with AFFF, the Navy is exploring alternate suppression techniques. The proposed approach would replace the overhead foam suppression system with a closed-head water sprinkler system. The ground level AFFF delivery system would become the primary means of fire suppression, and the overhead sprinklers would be used to cool adjacent aircraft and protect the structural integrity of the hangar. The time delay in activating the overhead system would also be minimized through the use of quick response sprinklers. This time delay has already been quantified in previous studies.