Flow characteristics— Copper sprinkler conductors

A comparative computer investigation of flow characteristics of copper conductors in hydraulically calculated sprinkler systems indicates that a Hazen-WilliamsC factor of 140 is conservative. The study challenges the appropriateness of the Hazen-Williams formula for sprinkler systems design and proposes alternate formulas. Note: This paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers at Atlanta, Ga., May 23, 1968, as part of a program arranged by the Chesapeake Chapter of the SPFE.     

Calculation of performance of fire retardant ceiling systems

With equations, Part I describes the thermal behavior of a composite system consisting of a noncombustible ceiling board suspended below a concrete floor slab. Part II shows how the equations have been successfully adapted to digital computer operation. The computed results agree with experimental measurements for two specific systems exposed to a standard test furnace heated at a prescribed rate. Note: References 1 through 11, Table 1, and Figures 1 and 2 will be found in Part I of this paper published inFire Technology, Vol. 5, No. 4, November 1969, on pages 323–331.     

Water Net— A computerized design aid

Water Net makes it possible to perform hydraulic analyses with ease. The complexity of the system to be analyzed is limited only by the user's imagination and the capacity of the computer being used. The user need not have been trained in computer programing. Note: This paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers at Atlanta, Ga., May 23, 1968, as part of a program arranged by the Chesapeake Chapter of the SFPE.     

Application of CMA program to wood charring

Experiments were conducted to test the ability of a computer program to describe the charring of ovendried wood. Note: Mr. White is a Forest Products Technologist and Dr. Schaffer is a Supervisory Research Engineer at the Forest Service's Forest Products Laboratory. The Laboratory is maintained at Madison, Wisconsin in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin. Note: The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this publication is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute official endorsement or approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.     

ASKBUDJr: A precursor of an expert system for the evaluation of fire hazard

The Center for Fire Research (CFR) has a long-term project to develop expert systems as a technology transfer mechanism. The goal of this project is to develop a computer program which will make an expert estimate of the firesafety of a building based on CFR's deterministic physical models, technical data, and the expert judgment of its staff. The first significant computer program to be developed by this project will be based on the expertise of Harold E. (Bud) Nelson. Thus, it will be called ASKBUD. In this article, the first exploratory steps taken to develop this program are described. Also, the progress made to date, as well as some of the major problems that must be solved, will be discussed. Since the system described in this article is in its infancy, we call it ASKBUDJr. Reference: Richard L. Smith, ASKBUDJr: A Precursor of an Expert System for the Evaluation of Fire Hazard,Fire Technology, Vol. 23, No. 1, February 1987, p. 5. Note: This paper is a contribution of the National Bureau of Standards and is not subject to copyright.     

Efficient allocation of fire department resources — Part I

The author discusses computer oriented mathematical models for the simultaneous selection of the number and location of fire engines and stations. The discussion also considers multiple engine response and distance and budget constraints as well as operational problems, such as closing or relocating existing stations. Note: This research supported in part by grants from the American Risk and Insurance Association and Gage-Babcock, Inc.     

Objectives and pitfalls in the simulation of building fires with a computer

The complex interactions between a building and a fire are being studied using the National Bureau of Standards computer facility. By highlighting the information needs for a successful calculation, the fire simulation study provides a guide to future research. Note: This paper, which is a contribution of the National Bureau of Standards, is based on a talk given by the author at a meeting of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers held in conjunction with the 72nd Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association in Atlanta Ga., on May 23, 1968.     

Fire performance of exterior wall insulation and finish systems

It is quite possible that variations of the systems currently available on the market may require additional or different fire testing. Successfully tested and approved systems do not present a fire hazard and should be permitted on all types of construction. Note: This paper has been unanimously adopted by EIMA as an industry position concerning fire hazard.     

Occurrences of lightning fires — Can they be simulated?

A computer simulation model of lightning fire discoveries has been developed by analyzing historical records of lightning fire occurrences. The model is being tested by using reports of lightning fires from four national forests. Results to date suggest that statistical distributions can be used to model the characteristics of lightning fire discoveries. Note: The author is stationed at the Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Station, Riverside, California.     

The computer approach to fire protection problems

With computers coming into more widespread use every day, it is only logical that they find applications in the field of fire protection. They have, in fact, already been used for computing sprinkler system requirements. The authors relate how The Travelers employs the computer and suggest applications to be explored in the future. The Travelers Insurance Companies Note: This paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers at Boston, Mass., on May 18, 1967, as part of a program arranged by the New England Chapter of the SFPE.     

A portable IR system for observing fire thru smoke

A comparatively recent development in electronic technology holds promise for providing a practical means for locating and following the progress of forest fires. Early tests indicate that a prototype system has advantages and a sensitivity that surpass conventional television systems. Note: Mr. Maxwell is stationed at Riverside, California.     

Detection and analysis of binary gas phase mixtures

The advent of halogenated hydrocarbon engineered fire extinguishing systems has created a need for measuring agent concentrations in an enclosed volume. Since commercially available instruments do not meet the criteria specified by researchers, development of a new unit was undertaken. Note: Dr. Riley presented this paper at Fire Research Session No. 1 of the National Fire Protection Association’s 76th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia on May 16, 1972.     

Mathematical model for analyzing the trade-offs in aircraft hangar deluge sprinkler systems design

The author explores the use of simple mathematical models in optimizing the design of fixed protection systems by testing the cost sensitivity of an aircraft hangar foam-water deluge system to variations in semi-arbitrarily fixed design parameters. Note: The author is a doctoral candidate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.     

Containment tables for initial attack on forest fires

Long-range planning of forest fire initial attack systems requires a method for evaluation of force effectiveness against an assumed pattern of fire occurrence on the planning unit. Note: The author is an Operations Research Analyst at the Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, stationed at Riverside, California.     

Halon 1301 flow in pipelines

An understanding of the mechanism of flow of Halon 1301 is necessary for the proper design of piping systems. Note: The author presented this paper at the 79th Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association held in Chicago, Illinois, May 1975.     

Computer-aided design technology for smoke control and removal systems

Computer simulation methods have been developed to aid in the design of smoke control systems. A new air movement program discussed here permits realistic modeling of large buildings and their air-handling systems. Note: Mr. Fothergill presented this paper at the 81st Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association on May 17, 1977.     

Research on friction reducing agents

Experiments with long chain, linear polymers have resulted in an additive that reduces friction losses in fire fighting handlines. Some of the work done suggests a potential application of such a product in automatic sprinkler systems. Note: An adaptation of a paper delivered by the author to the Society of Fire Protection Engineers’ Seminar No. 2 held in conjunction with the 76th Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association in Philadelphia, May 18, 1972.     

A fire danger rating system for Hawaii

Extremes in rainfall on the Hawaiian Islands make it difficult to judge forest fire danger conditions. The use of an automatic data collection and computer processing system helps to monitor the problem. Note: Messrs. Burgan and Fujioka are on the staff of the Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture. Mr. Hirata is with the National Weather Service. All three are stationed at Honolulu, Hawaii.     

Pressure losses in deluge sprinkler fittings

The author discusses some tests, the results of which suggest that conventional techniques for designing deluge sprinkler systems could be improved. When compared to the equivalent pipe length method of determining friction losses in fittings, the results of the tests seem to offer a more accurate means for calculating those losses. Note: This paper is based upon Factory Mutual Research Corp. Laboratory Reports 14340 and 15229, which were prepared under a Department of the Army contract.     

The use of AFFF in sprinkler systems

This paper reports the results of a series of fire tests to measure the effectiveness of a 1% aqueous film forming foam concentrate against flammable hydrocarbon fires when applied through conventional, automatic, wet-pipe sprinkler systems using closed sprinklers. Note: The author presented this paper at the NFPA annual meeting held in Chicago, Illinois in May 1975.