- 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.