FireDOC Search

Author
Gross, S. S.
Title
Incorporation of Fire Extinguishing Agents in High Expansion Foam.
Coporate
MSA Research Corp., Evans City, PA
Sponsor
Bureau of Mines, Washington, DC
Report
OFR 109-83, July 1982, 36 p.
Distribution
Available from National Technical Information Service
Keywords
fire extinguishing agents
Abstract
A program was conducted to determine whether sufficient quantities of the flame retardant, ammonium phosphate, could be incorporated in a water-based foam solution to prevent or delay reigntion (burnback) without significant degradation of foam properties. Up to 20% of monoammonium and diammonium phosphate was added to a high-expansion foam solution. This mixture was applied to burning wood and coal samples. The effect of the mixture on burnback was laboratory tested by placing the wood or coal sample in front of a radiant panel. It was found that diammonium phosphate levels of 20% wt-pct prevented reignition without degrading foam properties. A field test was then conducted using a 20% diammonium phosphate mixture and a control with no phosphate on a wood crib fire. The experimental foam did extinguish the crib fire fastr than the control as evidenced by the smoke from the crib. However neither crib reignited.