- Author
-
McCarson, T. K., Jr.
|
Stepetic, T. J.
|
Chong, D.
- Title
- Inverted Deluge System (IDS) Development Tests. Volume 2. System Validation Tests. Final Report. June-October 1992.
- Coporate
- New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque
- Sponsor
- Air Force Civil Engineering Support Agency, Tyndall AFB, FL
- Report
-
ESL-TR-92-71,
August 1993,
63 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Contract
- F29601-C-87-0001
- Keywords
-
deluge systems
|
aircraft hangars
|
fire protection
|
composite materials
|
validation
|
aqueous films
|
aqueous foams
|
spill fires
- Identifiers
- inverted delgue system (IDS); aqueous film forming foam (AFFF); fire protection of composite material aircraft
- Abstract
- Traditional overhead and monitor nozzle fire protection techniques cannot protect large-winged composite aircraft from fires inside a maintenance dock. A previous two-part project (1) showed that composite aircraft material could suffer structural damage unless aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) was applied within 15 to 20 seconds from fire ignition, and (2) assessed the effectiveness of various nozzle types in an underwing or inverted deluge system (IDS) concept. In the first phase of this project, Fire Suppression Tests (Volume 1), the IDS design to cool an aircraft underbody properly and suppress the jet fuel spill fire was refined and validated. This phase, System Validation Tests, validated the hydraulic performance of the IDS, including response time, overall pressures, and flow rates. It also tested the adequacy of the AFFF fire pump and water/AFFF supply systems to supply both the IDS and overhead deluge systems simultaneously. One-half of an IDS system was constructed in an actual maintenance dock in accordance with the Corps of Engineers design and material specifications. Four different test series were conducted: initial calibration, IDS verification tests, combined systems tests, and AFFF tests. The results validated the hydraulic performance of the IDS design, including modifications make after the Fire Suppression Test series. It is recommended that the IDS be installed in maintenance facilities of large composite aircraft.