| Abstract | The production of Halon 1301, one of the most effective chemical fire suppressants ever developed, was banned at the beginning of 1994 by the Montreal Protocol because of its effects on the earth's ozone layer. Research to develop effective and environmentally-friendly alternatives for halon is being carried out. Water-based systems are environmentally friendly, non-toxic, have low cost and are effective in suppressing certain fires. As a result, the use of water mist, as a potential halon replacement, has recieved considerable attention. Over the last few years, there have been a number of investigations to evaluate the capabilities of water mist systems as a halon alternative for various applications [1].
This paper provides a review of the development of water mist fire suppression systems. Fundamental research and full-scale fire suppression tests in shipboard machinery spaces conducted by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and other research facilities are analyzed to determine the capabilities of the present water mist technology for this application. The progress made in the application of water mist technology to protect electrical and electronic equipment is also discussed. Some measures required to improve the effectiveness of water mist fire suppression systems, such as computer modelling, are also identified. |
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