Screening Tests for Alternative Suppressants for In-Flight Aircraft Fires.
Screening Tests for Alternative Suppressants for
In-Flight Aircraft Fires.
(258 K)
Gann, R. G.
HOTWC 2006;
Halon Options Technical Working Conference, 16th
Proceedings. HOTWC 2006. May 16-18, 2006, Albuquerque,
NM, 1-16 pp, 2006.
Keywords:
halon alternatives; halons; halon 1301; fire
suppression; aircraft fires; chemical properties;
atmospheric lifetime; effectiveness; toxicity; water;
regulations; halocarbons; human beings; exposure
Abstract:
A primary component of the Next Generation Fire
Suppression Technology Program (NGP) was the examination
of the "world" of chemistry, seeking to identify
chemicals that merited examination under practical fire
suppression conditions or to enable a finding that no
previously unidentified such chemicals existed.
Performing this survey required a protocol for rapid and
inexpensive screening of literally thousands of
chemicals to identify those relatively few agents worthy
of further examination as alternative fire suppressants.
There are multiple, critical chemical properties whose
beneficial values promoted the widespread use of halon
1301 (CF3Br) and which would affect consideration of
alternative fire suppressants. These are fire
suppression efficiency, quenching of flame re-ignition,
ozone depletion potential (ODP), global warming
potential (GWP), atmospheric lifetime, suppressant
residue, electrical conductivity, corrosivity to metals,
compatibility with polymeric materials, stability under
long-term storage, toxicity of the chemical and its
combustion and decomposition products, and speed of
dispersion. Estimation of these values needed to be
obtained using minimal mass of the chemicals for cost
and toxicity reasons. A testing hierarchy was needed to
ensure that the most unique chemicals and the properties
that were deemed most important and used the least
chemical were determined first. Figures of merit for
each property and a testing/estimating sequence and
target values were also needed. The NGP built on prior
methods used to screen chemicals, an NGP-organized
workshop on agent compatibility with people, materials
and the environment, and other formal and informal
procedures.
