- Author
-
Nugent, D. P.
|
Sheppard, D. T.
|
Steppan, D. R.
- Title
- National Oxydizing Pool Chemicals Storage: Fire Test Project.
- Coporate
- Schirmer Engineering Corp., Deerfield, IL
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., Northbrook, IL
- Report
-
Fire Test Project,
August 1998,
95 p.
- Keywords
-
storge
|
sprinkler systems
|
fire suppression
|
bulk storge
|
pallet storage
|
fire tests
|
calorimetry
|
ignition source
|
test methods
|
water supply
|
sprinklers
|
ignition source
|
heat release rate
|
oxygen concentrations
|
thermocouples
|
damage
- Identifiers
- containerized dry oxidizing pool chemicals
- Abstract
- This project was initiated out of a need to better understand the burning behavior and ability of automatic sprinkler systems to control fires involving containerized oxidizing pool chemicals. More specifically, this information was needed for bulk merchandizing retail buildings, also known as big box retailers, where oxidizing pool chemicals are stored in rack storage arrays. Underscoring the need for this information is the fire loss history associated with oxidizing pool chemicals. Over the past few years there have been some highly publicized fires at large volume retail stores where oxidizing pool chemicals were involved. Additionally, NFPA 430, "Code for the Storage of Liquid and Solid Oxidizers", has developed in an environment where data on burning behavior and sprinkler system performance was absent. The current NFPA 430 oxidizer classification system "is based on the Technical Committee's evaluation of available scientific and technical data, actual experience, and its considered opinion" . The fire and reactivity behavior of liquid and solid oxidizers is the basis for this classification system. This behavior includes an oxidizer's ability to increase the burning rate or cause spontaneous ignition of a combustible material. Also, the reactivity behavior of oxidizers includes those that can undergo a self-sustained decomposition or an explosive reaction. The oxidizer categories are currently defined in NFPA 436 as follows: Class 1 - An oxidizer whose primary hazard is that it slightly increases the burning rate but does not cause spontaneous ignition when it comes in contact with combustible materials. Class 2 - An oxidizer that will cause a moderate increase in the burning rate or that causes spontaneous ignition of combustible materials with which it comes in contact. Class 3 - An oxidizer that will cause a severe increase in the burning rate of combustible materials with which it comes in contact or that will undergo vigorous self-sustained decomposition due to contamination or exposure to heat. Class 4 - A oxidizer that can undergo an explosive reaction due to contamination or exposure to thermal or physical shock. In addition, the oxidizer will enhance the burning rate and can cause spontaneous ignition of combustibles. This classification system is not based upon quantified data, is subject to interpretation, and therefore remains subjective.