- Author
- Kimzey, J. H.
- Title
- Fire Extinguishment in Hypobaric and Hyperbaric Environments.
- Coporate
- National Aeronautics and Space Admin., Houston, TX
- Report
- NASA CR TM X-14330,
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Book or Conf
- National Aerospace and Space Administration. NASA Conference on Materials for Improved Fire Safety. May 6-7, 1970., Houston, TX, 19/1-4 p., 1970
- Keywords
- fire extinguishment | hyperbaric chambers | hypobaric atmospheres | weightlessness | halon 1301 | fire prevention | materials tests | physical properties | test facilities | water | oxygen atmosphere
- Identifiers
- suppression
- Abstract
- Atmospheres of spacecraft and support equipment and problem of accidental fire in these atmospheres are discussed. A test program to determine the effectiveness of several fire extinguishants is reviewed. Open-cell foamed polyurethane is employed as the fuel in this program. Several extinguishants widely used for fires in air were ineffective or even detrimental in the oxygen-enriched test atmospheres, because they increased the burning rates. Gases such as Halon 1301, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium, and argon are included in this category. Water or water-based foams are shown to be effective. Data on the performance of water as a fire extinguishant in pure-oxygen atmospheres at 14.7 psia or less (hypobaric) and in air at pressures as great as 105 psia (hyperbaric) are presented and discussed.