Impact of Fire Fighting Agents on Drop Size.
Impact of Fire Fighting Agents on Drop Size.
(137 K)
Bishop, M. J.; Stroup, D. W.
Fire Research and Engineering, Second (2nd)
International Conference. (ICFRE2). Proceedings.
ABSTRACTS ONLY. National Institute of Standards and
Technology and Society of Fire Protection Engineers.
August 10-15, 1997, Gaithersburg, MD, Slaughter, K. C.,
Editor(s), 63-63 pp, 1997.
Keywords:
fire research; fire protection engineering; fire
extinguishing agents; fire fighting; drop sizes; water;
additives
Abstract:
[ABSTRACT ONLY]
As part of a study funded by the United States Fire
Administration, the National Institute of Standards and
Technology investigated the effectiveness of water
additives for use in fighting fire. These additives, or
surfactants, are of great interest due to numerous
claims regarding their capabilities and benefits
including decreased water requirements for
extinguishment, reduced levels of toxins produced by
fires, and prevented rekindling of fires. One of the
properties of water which the surfactants affect is
surface tension. The addition of a surfactant reduces
the surface tension of water. This potentially enables
the solution to break into smaller droplets resulting in
more surface area being exposed to the fire.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899