Characteristics of invisible particles generated by precombustion and combustion

The author discusses a series of tests designed to study the generation and behavior of submicron-sized particles and gases released by heated materials. Note: This paper was presented at the NFPA annual meeting in St. Louis, Missouri on May 17, 1973.     

Chelation-photoelectric concept for fire detection

An exploratory study has been made of the adsorption of incipient combustion gases on metal surfaces and organic metal chelate coated metal surfaces. Data obtained in this study suggest that a smoke or fire detection system could be based on the adsorption-photoelectric effects observed. IIT Research Institute Note: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation, Washington, DC, through Contract No. NSF-C76-10255.     

Characteristics of fire loads in office buildings

A study was made to determine the effects of various parameters on the fire load characteristics of office buildings. This and future studies are expected to form the basis for improving fire resistant design requirements. Note: Dr. Culver is Program Manager, Building Technology Programs, Center for Building Technology, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C.     

The effect of humidity,air temperature,and wind speed on fine fuel moisture content

A controlled environmental chamber was used to study the effects of relative humidity, air temperature, and wind speed on moisture content of tobosa grass. Prediction equations were developed to show rates of change in fine fuel moisture content and equilibrium fine fuel moisture content for both absorption and desorption. Note: Mr. Britton is a Research Associate at Texas Tech University; Mr. Countryman, a Project Leader, Forest Fire Laboratory, Riverside, California; Dr. Wright, Associate Professor of Range Management, Texas Tech University; and Dr. Walvekar, Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering, Texas Tech University. Mr. Britton’s current address is Range Science Department, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas. Note: This paper is College of Agricultural Sciences, Texas Tech University Contribution No. T-9-111.     

Effects of flame variation in ASTM D1692 flammability test

A study of various flame structures possible in the test for the flammability of cellular plastics showed that flammability characteristics could be appreciably altered by the selection of flame structure and position when testing highly flame-retardant rigid foams. Note: This paper was published in theJournal of Cellular Plastics, June 1967, and is printed here by permission.     

Studies of building fires with models

To study the behavior of materials in building fires, the authors suggest that a practical approach is one that combines model tests with full-scale tests to verify their findings. They discuss a program in which just such an approach was used. Note: This paper was presented at the 70th annual meeting of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers at Chicago, Ill., May 18, 1966 as part of a program arranged by the Chicago Chapter of the SFPE.     

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.     

The use of directed routes for assessing escape potential

Of primary concern in structural fires is the ability of occupants to escape once a fire has been detected. This paper describes a technique for calculating the number of directed routes from any room to a location of safety. Note: The model discussed here was developed as part of a project to study fire-safety in residential occupancies being funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Project H-2316).     

Fighting fires in oil storage tanks using base injection of foam — part II

This paper compares the characteristics of protein and fluoroprotein foams for base injected application to fires in oil storage tanks. Part II discusses the fire tests and their results. Note: This paper was presented at the 81st Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association in Washington, DC on May 17, 1977.     

Fighting fires in oil storage tanks using base injection of foam — Part I

This paper compares the characteristics of protein and fluoroprotein foams for base injected application to fires in oil storage tanks. Part I discusses foam flow and distribution and fuel pickup characteristics. Note: This paper was presented at the 81st Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association in Washington, DC on May 17, 1977.     

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.     

Smoke and fire propagation in compartment spaces

A three-dimensional model has been devised for predicting smoke and fire propagation within structures. Three generalized fire scenarios are sufficient to represent many design conditions. Note: This paper was presented at the Fall Meeting of the Western States Section of the Combustion Institute on September 7, 1972.     

Application of release rate data to hazard load calculations

The author illustrates methods of applying heat, smoke and toxic gas release rate data to calculating fire hazard loading values. Note: This paper was presented by the author at the 78th Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association on May 23, 1974 at Miami Beach, Florida.     

Control of smoke in high-rise buildings

Based on studies conducted by the Division of Building Research, the authors analyzed the most important factors that determine expectation of life loss from smoke in high-rise buildings. Note: This paper was presented at the National Fire Protection Association’s First European Fire Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, October 15–17, 1973.     

Calculation of response time of ceiling-mounted fire detectors

An understanding of the behavior of the fire plume and fire-induced flow near the ceiling of a room is necessary if one is to optimize detector response time and placement. Note: This paper was presented at the 76th Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association on May 18, 1972 in Philadelphia, Pa.     

Smokeproof towers in center core structures

Smokeproof towers located on exterior walls utilize space that is considered desirable by landlords and tenants. The author discusses investigations into the possibility of interior smokeproof towers doing the job equally as well as exterior towers. Note: This paper was presented by the author at the 1965 Fall Conference of the National Fire Protection Association.     

Thermal performance of concrete masonry walls in fire

Under consideration here are the effects of cement paste, autoclaving, aggregates, geometry, and moisture on the fire endurance of concrete masonry walls. Note: This paper was originally published as Canadian Building Digest CBD 140 by the Division of Building Research, National Research Council of Canada, and is reproduced here by permission.     

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.     

Experimental study on moisture and fire endurance

The author describes the test procedure for, and the results of, many small-scale fire tests conducted during a recently reported study that was made to provide information for numerically evaluating the effect of moisture on fire endurance. He concludes with an equation for calculating the fire endurance of a building element at a given moisture content when its fire endurance at some other moisture content is known. Note: This paper is a contribution from the Division of Building Research, National Research Council, Canada, and is published with the approval of the Director of the Division. The author wishes to thank E. O. Porteous for his assistance in conducting the experimental work.     

The evaluation of the fire risk as a basis for planning automatic fire protection systems

The European Fire Alarm Manufacturers Association has developed a proposed method for evaluating fire risk, which could be used to determine that fire protection measures should be taken for a given property. Note: This paper was presented at the 76th Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association on May 18, 1972 in Philadelphia, Pa.