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Characteristics of water mists for fire suppression in enclosures

From National Research Council Canada

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Linkhttps://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/el/fire_research/R9302943.pdf
AuthorSearch for: 1
Affiliation
  1. National Research Council of Canada. NRC Institute for Research in Construction
FormatText, Article
ConferenceHalon Alternatives Technical Working Conference, May 11, 1993, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
SubjectSuppression
Abstract
This paper summarizes the findings of experiments performed to characterize water mists for fm suppression. The experiments included measurements of drop size distributions, the effects on mist quality of obstructions in enclosures, and evaluation of the ability of mist to extinguish combustible liquid pool fires. A description of water mist for fire suppression purposes should include information about drop size distribution, mass flow rate, spray projection and spray angle. The drop size distribution of a mist should be expressed in terms of the full range of drop sizes in the spray, not by means of a single representative diameter. It should also be recognized as representative of the distribution at a single point only in the spray. Both spray density and spray momentum appear to be more important for extinguishing flame than “optimum drop size.” Spray density decreases as water is deposited on the surfaces of obstructions. The spray also loses momentum as it moves past obstructions. In these respects, loss of mass and momentum due to obstructions, water mist is not equivalent to a gaseous fire suppression agent In order to optimize the extinguishing capability of water mist, nozzles should be selected and located so as to ensure dynamic interaction of the mist with the flame. If that is done, the potential benefits of water mist, of low total water requirement and rapid extinguishment, can be realized.
Publication date
PublisherThe Conference
In
  • Proceedings of the Halon Alternatives Technical Working Conference, Albuquerque, NM, May 11-13 1993 (11 May 1993): 291–302.
LanguageEnglish
Peer reviewedYes
IdentifierIRC-P-3771
NRC numberNRCC 37924
NRC-IRC-4865
NPARC number20331037
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Record identifier2281de87-940a-4bc1-9b95-13fca1919295
Record created2012-07-18
Record modified2024-05-22
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