John Reinhardt

FAA Fire Safety Section, AAR-422

BULK LOAD FIRES

CONTAINERIZED FIRES

FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS FIRE

AEROSOL CAN EXPLOSION SIMULATION

“Minimum Performance Standard for

Aircraft Cargo

Compartment Fire

Suppression Systems”

Fire Load = 178 card board boxes (30% of Vol.) containing 2.5 lbs of shredded paper

Ignition = nichrome wire wrapped around folded paper towels

System Activation = 1 min. after one of the ceiling T/C reaches 200 oF

Test Duration = Five tests @ 30 minutes each

BULK LOAD FIRE TEST

Ig n ite d B o x

1 7 8 C a rd b o a rd B o x e s

Fire Load = 33 card board boxes inside an LD3. Three LD3 in Compartment

Ignition = nichrome wire wrapped around folded paper towels

System Activation = 1 min. after one

of the ceiling T/C reaches 200 oF

Test Duration = Five tests @ 30 minutes each

CONTAINERIZED FIRE TEST

N o t to sc a le

End Vie w

C a rd b o a rd b o xe s

SURFACE BURN FIRE TEST

Fire Load = 0.5 U.S. Gallon of Jet A fuel (with 13 oz of gasoline)

Ignition = Arc created by two spark plugs

System Activation = 1 min. after one of the

ceiling T/C reaches 200 oF

Test Duration = 5 minutes

N o t to sc a le

End Vie w

AEROSOL CAN EXPLOSION SIMULATION

Fire Load = 58 card board boxes containing 2.5 lbs of shredded paper

Ignition = nichrome wire wrapped around folded paper towels

System Activation = 1 min. after one of the ceiling T/C reaches 200 oF

Test Duration = Five tests @ 30 minutes each

Activate Simulator when one of the cans temp. reaches 400 oF (or test time = 29 minutes)

MPS AEROSOL EXPLOSION TEST 062901T1Water Mist & Nitrogen

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MPS Time Boundary

Can 3 - Thermocouple 40

Simulator Activated at t=26.15 min

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FIRE SCENARIO MAXIMUM MAXIMUM MAXIMUM COMMENTSTEMPERATURE TEMPERATURE-TIME PRESSURE

(oF) AREA (oF-min) (psi)

Bulk Fire Load 582 10,452 N/A

Temperature limit starting 30 seconds after suppression system activation. Temp-Time area for 30 minutes starting with suppression system activation.

Containerized Fire Load

612 14,102 N/A

Temperature limit starting 30 seconds after suppression system activation. Calculate Temp-Time area for 30 minutes starting with suppression system activation.

Surface Burning Fire 1125 2,964 N/A

Temperature limit starting 30 seconds after suppression system activation. Temp-Time area for 5 minutes starting with suppression system activation.

Exploding Aerosol Can Fire 582 10452 0 There shall be no explosion

• Water Mist System

• Water Mist System Combined

With Nitrogen

High Pressure/Class I Water Mist System•High Pressure Pump (1150 psig)•125 Gallon Water Tank (Pressurized to 40 psig)•Solenoid Valves•Number of Nozzles = 32•Nozzle Angle = 90o Down•Max Flow Rate per Nozzle = 0.10 gpm•Number of Zones = 4•Nozzles per Zone = 8•Droplet size = 70 to 100 microns•Distance Between Nozzles = 16”•Distance Between Zones = 30”•Activation Controller (Trigger Temperature - 212 oF)

Environmental Engineering Concepts

ACTIVATION CONTROL LOGIC:

• Two zones near fire will turn on for 5 minutes to knock down flames and cool down the cargo compartment.

• After the 5 minutes:

- A zone will turn on only if the temperature near the zone exceeds 212 oF; turn off if temperature is below it.

- All zones will turn on if the ceiling temperature exceeds 350 oF.

MPS BULK-LOAD TEST 031301T1EEC Water Mist System (w/ 70 microns Nozzles)

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Thermocouple 22

MPS Temp Boundary

MPS Time Boundary

Oxygen at 16.5"

Oxygen Near FirePass

FailMaximum temperature (464 degF) is under the MPS

Temperature Boundary (582oF); therefore, it passed

MPS CONTAINERIZED TEST 032101T1EEC Water Mist System (70 Microns)

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Thermocouple 19

MPS Temp Boundary

MPS Time Boundary

Oxygen at 49.5"

Oxygen Near FirePass

Fail

Maximum temperature (424 DegF) is under the MPS Temperature

Boundary (612oF); therefore, it passed.

MPS SURFACE BURN TEST 031501T1EEC Water Mist System (w/ 70 microns Nozzles)

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Thermocouple 22

MPS Temp Boundary

MPS Time Boundary

Oxygen at 16.5"

Oxygen Near Fire

Pass

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Maximum temperature (673 degF) is under the MPS

Temperature Boundary (1125oF); therefore, it passed

MPS AEROSOL EXPLOSION TEST 062101T1EEC Water Mist System (70 Microns)

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Thermocouple 24

MPS Temp Boundary

MPS Time Boundary

Oxygen at 49.5"

Oxygen Near FirePass

Fail

Maximum temperature (774oF) is over the

MPS Temperature Boundary (582oF). Explosion Occurred in 11.10 mins.

BULKLOAD TEST

TEST ID TEST NO. MAX TEMP (oF) MAX AREA (oF-MIN) PRESSURE (PSIG) WATER USAGE (LBS.) COMMENTS

030201T1 1 610 6241 N/A 184

030601T1 2 422 5701 N/A 134

030701T1 3 356 5758 N/A 145

030801T1 4 821 6296 N/A 150

031301T1 5 464 5502 127

Average: 535 5900 N/A 148

Std. Deviation: 185 350 22

MPS Acceptance Criteria: 582 10452

Performace Rating: Passed Passed N/A (18 Gallons)

WATER MIST SYSTEM

WATER MIST SYSTEMCONTAINERIZED TEST

TEST ID TEST NO. MAX TEMP (oF) MAX AREA (oF-MIN) PRESSURE (PSIG) WATER USAGE (LBS.) COMMENTS

032001T1 1 277 7134 N/A 228

032101T1 2 424 10480 N/A 336

032601T1 3 802 8969 N/A 330

032301T1 4 446 9839 N/A 200

041101T1 5 420 9199 N/A 272

Average: 487 9106 N/A 273.2 Std. Deviation: 195 1259 60MPS Acceptance Criteria: 612 14102 Performace Rating: Passed Passed N/A (33 Gallons)Tests With 1 Nozzle Inside LD3 Container041001T1 1 656 7768 122 (15 Gallons)041301T1 2 250 6264 157 (19 Gallons)

WATER MIST SYSTEMSURFACE BURNING TEST

TEST ID TEST NO. MAX TEMP (oF) MAX AREA (oF-MIN) PRESSURE (PSIG) WATER USAGE (LBS.) COMMENTS031401T1 1 931 1509 N/A 76031401T2 2 197 737 N/A 78031401T3 3 999 1601 N/A 67031501T1 4 673 1093 N/A 74031501T2 5 908 1595 N/A 75

Average: 742 1307 N/A 74 Std. Deviation: 328 381 4MPS Acceptance Criteria: 1125 2964 Performace Rating: Passed Passed N/A (9 Gallons)

WATER MIST SYSTEMAEROSOL EXPLOSION TEST (BULK LOAD VERSION W/ AEROSOL CAN SIMULATOR)

TEST ID TEST NO. MAX TEMP (oF) MAX AREA (oF-MIN) PRESSURE (PSIG) WATER USAGE (LBS.) COMMENTS

061501T1 1 782 - Blow Out Plastic Sheet Used 61 No Explosion Observed. Short test.

061801T1 2 1223 - Blow Out Plastic Sheet Used 71 No Explosion Observed. Short test

061901T1 3 834 - Blow Out Plastic Sheet Used 60Explosion occurred at 8.1 mins. Short test

062101T1 4 1265 - Blow Out Plastic Sheet Used 57Explosion occurred at 14.12 mins. Short test.

062201T1 5 774 - Blow Out Plastic Sheet Used 56Explosion occurred at 11.10 mins. Short test.

Average: 976 - Explosion Occurred 61 Std. Deviation: 247 - 6MPS Acceptance Criteria: 582 N/A No Explosion Performace Rating: Failed N/A Failed (7.3 Gallons)

- High Pressure/Class I Water Mist System (As described before)

- Nitrogen System consisted of:•16 Cylinders Size-T Nitrogen Bank •Two Matheson Model 3020 Regulators•System Flow Rate = 37.5 CFM to 89.3 CFM •Pneumatic Valve•One inch plumbing network•5 Nozzles (5/8” ID)•Activation was controlled by the volumetric concentration of Oxygen (10%) in the cargo compartment (Closed loop control system)

WATER MIST SYSTEM WITH NITROGENBULKLOAD TEST

TEST NO. MAX TEMP (oF) MAX AREA (oF-MIN) PRESSURE (PSIG) WATER USAGE (LBS.) NITROGEN USAGE (FT3) COMMENTS

070601T1 1 346 3382 N/A 67 273096% of boxes were not damaged (versus 75% with Halon 1301)

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WATER MIST SYSTEM WITH NITROGENCONTAINERIZED TEST

TEST ID TEST NO. MAX TEMP (oF) MAX AREA (oF-MIN) PRESSURE (PSIG) WATER USAGE (LBS.) NITROGEN USAGE (FT3) COMMENTS

070901T1 1 700.4 5295 N/A 151 4170

90-Minute Test; Water mist system was turned on seconds later it was required to turn on due to a closed valve.

071101T1 2 219 5575 N/A 70 2354

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WATER MIST SYSTEM WITH NITROGENSURFACE BURNING TEST

TEST ID TEST NO. MAX TEMP (oF) MAX AREA (oF-MIN) PRESSURE (PSIG) WATER USAGE (LBS.) NITROGEN USAGE (FT3) COMMENTS070301T1 1 244 840 N/A 27 200 Fire Extinguished in 37.2 secs.070301T2 2 435 899 N/A 24 97.1 Fire Extinguished in 53.4 secs.070501T1 3 418 1016 N/A 23 91.2 Fire Extinguished in 61.2 secs.070501T2 4 595 1268 N/A 16 82.4 Fire Extinguished in 52.2 secs.070501T3 5 498 1246 N/A 19 85.3 Fire Extinguished in 58.8 secs.

Average: 438 1054 N/A 22 111.2 52.6 Std. Deviation: 129 196 4 50MPS Acceptance Criteria: 1125 2964 Performace Rating: Passed Passed N/A (2.7 Gallons) < 1 T-Size Cylinder at 2500 psig 53 seconds to extinguish fire

WATER MIST SYSTEM WITH NITROGENAEROSOL EXPLOSION TEST (BULK LOAD VERSION W/ AEROSOL CAN SIMULATOR)

TEST ID TEST NO. MAX TEMP (oF) MAX AREA (oF-MIN) PRESSURE (PSIG) WATER USAGE (LBS.) NITROGEN USAGE (FT3) COMMENTS

062501T1 1 454 3694 0 73.8 2824

30 minutes test. Sim activated at t=33.18 minutes since cans did not heated up to 400 degF. No explosion

062701T1 2 368 3400 0 74 2730

30 minutes test. Sim activated at t=30.53 minutes since cans did not heated up to 400 degF. No explosion

062801T1 3 528 3891 0 74 306030 minutes test. Can 1 reached 400 degF. Sim activated at t=16.48 minutes. No explosion

062901T1 4 564 4190 0 73 282430 minutes test. Can 3 reached 400 degF. Sim activated at t=26.15 minutes. No explosion

070201T1 5 752 3876 0 70 3210

30 minutes test. Sim activated at t=31.83 minutes since cans did not heated up to 400 degF. No explosion

Average: 533 3810 0 73 2930 Std. Deviation: 144 290 0 2 199MPS Acceptance Criteria: 582 10452 0 Performace Rating: Passed Passed Passed (8.8 Gallons) 10 T-Size Cylinders at 2500 psig No Explosion

MPS AEROSOL EXPLOSION TEST 062801T1Water Mist & Nitrogen

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MPS Temp Boundary

MPS Time Boundary

Can 1 - Thermocouple 38

Oxygen at 49.5"

Oxygen Near Fire

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Maximum temperature was 528 degFMaximum Area = 3891 degF-Min

Simulator Activated at t=16.48 min

MPS SURFACE BURN TEST 070301T2Water Mist and Nitrogen

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MPS Temp Boundary

MPS Time Boundary

Oxygen at 16.5"

Oxygen Near Fire

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Maximum temperature = 435 degF Maximum Area = 899 degF-Min

MPS BULK-LOAD TEST 070601T1Water Mist and Nitrogen

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MPS Temp Boundary

MPS Time Boundary

Oxygen at 16.5"

Oxygen Near FirePass

Fail

Maximum temperature = 346 degF Maximum Area = 3382 degF-Min

MPS CONTAINERIZED TEST 071101T1Water Mist and Nitrogen

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MPS Temp Boundary

MPS Time Boundary

Oxygen at 49.5"

Oxygen Near FirePass

Fail

MPS Maximum Temperature =219 DegF MPS Maximum Area = 5575 degF-min

MPS CONTAINERIZED TEST 070901T1Water Mist and Nitrogen (90 Minutes Test)

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MPS Temp Boundary

MPS Time Boundary

Oxygen at 49.5"

Oxygen Near FirePass

Fail

Water Mist System ran w/ Control Logic #5. Total Water Used in 90 Minutes=151 lbs. (18.2 gallons)

Volume of Nitrogen Used in 90 Minutes = 4170 ft3 (13.7 cylinders) Nitrogen Flow Rate was in between 37.5 CFM and 89.3 CFM64% of Boxes Undamaged

MPS Maximum Temperature =700.4 DegF (System turned on after 1 min.)MPS Maximum Area = 5295 degF-min

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Bulk-Load Containerized Surface-Burn Explosion Cont. 90-MinMPS TEST

AGENT CONSUMPTION DURING MPS TESTS

Halon 1301

HFC-125

Water Mist

Water Mist + N2

-A class I, high pressure water mist system did not pass the MPS for aircraft cargo compartments due to its incapability to inert the compartment against a HC explosion.

-The same water mist system combined with a nitrogen system passed the MPS with a competitive weight factor*.

The weight advantage will come from using the proposed fuel tanks OBIGGS system for nitrogen generation.