Recent changes in aggregate fire loss indices

The objective of this article concerns the relative position of the various countries, as related to fire loss comparisons. The World Health Organization values appear to present the most consistent basis for comparison among a wide group of nations. Note: The investigations reported in this paper were supported by the United States Fire Administration, National Fire Data Center under contract No. EMW-C-0655. Points of view or opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the United States Fire Administration.     

Fire testing of solar collectors by ASTM E 108

A study was undertaken to investigate the use of ASTM E 108 (NFPA 256, UL 790), Fire Tests of Roof Coverings, for testing roofmounted solar energy collectors. Data are presented showing the results of the testing conducted. An evaluation of the testing procedures as they apply to roof-mounted solar collectors is given. National Engineering Laboratory National Bureau of Standards Note: Contribution of the National Bureau of Standards; not subject to copyright in the United States. David Waksman is on the staff of the Center for Building Technology, and William Walton is on the staff of the Center for Fire Research.     

Development of halogenated hydrocarbon foam (halofoam) extinguishants

The authors report on a study in which a number of halogenated hydrocarbon foams were developed, which are more effective than bromochloromethane in extinguishing Types A, B, and C fires. Note: This paper is a summary of a report by the same title, No. AFAPL-TR-71-21, prepared by Arthur D. Little, Inc. for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, April 1971. A patent application was field with the United States Patent Office on April 29, 1971. Mr. Atallah’s presentation at the 75th Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association on May 19, 1971 in San Francisco, California was also based on this report.     

Two smoke test methods — A comparison of data

Different approaches have been taken in the United States and Great Britain to measure the smoke-producing characteristics of materials in terms of specific optical density. An investigation has been conducted to determine if a correlation exists between the methods. Note: This paper is a contribution of the National Bureau of Standards and is not subject to copyright.     

The use of light water for major aircraft fires

When a new extinguishing agent appears on the scene, existing agents become the yardsticks by which its performance is measured. The authors compared the relatively new Light Water foam with conventional protein foam and protein foam to which surface-active fluorocarbons had been added. Fire Research Station (JFRO) Note: Mr. Nash presented this paper at the 73rd Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association on May 12, 1969 in New York City.     

Fire endurance of soldered copper sprinkler systems — Part II

The endurance and utility of soldered copper tube systems used as water conveyors to fire protection sprinkler arrays have been demonstrated using tested engineering scaling principles. Note: The author presented this paper at the 79th Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association, May 1975, Chicago, Illinois. Part I appeared in the August 1977 issue of Fire Technology. Mr. Alvares is currently affiliated with the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, University of California.     

The modeling of pulsating fires

The authors present scaling relationships for modeling pulsating fires. Data gathered from various sizes of pulsating fires compared favorably with the predicted relationships between fire diameter and pulsation frequency. Note: Mr. Byram is Principal Physicist and Mr. Nelson a Forest Products Technologist with the Southern Forest Fire Laboratory. The paper was presented at the fall meeting, Western States Section, The Combustion Institute, La Jolla, California, October 27 and 28, 1969.     

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.     

Fast response sprinklers in patient room fires

The Center for Fire Research conducted a series of tests which examined the use of automatic sprinklers in patient room fires. The fullscale fire tests were conducted in a patient room, corridor, and lobby test arrangement. Center for Fire Research National Engineering Laboratory National Bureau of Standards Note: This paper is a contribution of the National Bureau of Standards and is not subject to copyright.     

Fire and high buildings

The time necessary to evacuate today’s high-rise buildings in a fire emergency is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of the development of untenable smoke conditions. The Division of Building Research has been working on the problem for several years and suggests several approaches to controlling smoke movement in buildings. Note: Mr. Wilson is Assistant Director of the Division of Building Research, and Mr. Shorter is Head of the Fire Research Section. Note: The authors presented this paper at the 74th Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association in Toronto on May 20, 1970. It is a contribution from the Division of Building Research, National Research Council of Canada and is published with the approval of the Director of the Division.     

Hydraulics of fire hose nozzles

Experiments indicated that flow rates derived from Pitot-tube measurements are somewhat higher than true values. The author develops equations for determining flow from solid stream and fog nozzles, based on pressure at the base of a nozzle or playpipe. Note: The work reported in this paper was performed under the auspices of the United States Atomic Energy Commission.     

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.     

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.     

Fire development experience in soviet industrial buildings

As part of the Cooperative Agreement on Housing and Other Construction, signed by the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1974, reciprocal visits are made by United States and Soviet teams concerned with building firesafety and related problems. A highlight of these visitations is a symposium on a relevant fire problem at which each side updates the other. The National Bureau of Standards, the lead agency for the United States team, is headed by R. S. Levine, Chief of the NBS Fire Resources Division. During the symposium in July, 1982, the following paper was presented by the Soviet team.     

Fire endurance of soldered copper sprinkler systems — Part I

The endurance and utility of soldered copper tube systems used as water conveyors to fire protection sprinkler arrays have been demonstrated using tested engineering scaling principles. Note: The author presented this paper at the 79th Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association, May 1975, Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Alvares is currently affiliated with the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, University of California.     

Correlation between small- and full-scale tests in a series of fluorochemical fire fighting foam trials

Fire extinction tests using fluorochemical foaming agents were conducted on pool fires of gasoline and kerosine ranging in surface area from 0.25 m² to 40 m². A useful degree of correlation was demonstrated and hence the validity of the current United Kingdom Defence Standard test. Note: ® Crown copyright 1978.     

Partial flooding of volumes with halon 1301

The author reports on recent experiments in low-level flooding of flight simulator rooms. Note: Mr. Robinson delivered this paper at the 81st Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association in May 1977.     

Ablative fluids in the fire environment

Experiments carried out on high-challenge fires demonstrate that ablative water is practical and highly effective for fire extinguishment as compared to plain water. Ablative water, films are much thicker and provide insulation. Chemicals and Plastics, Union Carbide Corp. Factory Mutual Research Corporation Note: The authors presented this paper at a meeting of the Industrial Fire Protection Section held in conjunction with the 73rd Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association in New York City on May 13, 1969.     

A final report on fire tests involving stored plastics

The Factory Mutual Research Corporation has completed a series of fire tests of stored plastics. This paper highlights the major points of the final report. Note: The author presented this paper at the National Fire Protection Association annual meeting held in Chicago, May 1975.     

LNG facilities — Engineered fire protection systems

Dry chemical fire extinguishers used in conjunction with high expansion foam have been used successfully in tests to extinguish LNG spill fires. Note: This paper was presented at the 79th Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association, May 1975, Chicago, Illinois.