Influence of Phosphorus-Containing Fire Suppressants on Flame Propagation.
Influence of Phosphorus-Containing Fire Suppressants on
Flame Propagation.
(1006 K)
Babushok, V. I.; Tsang, W.
International Conference on Fire Research and
Engineering (ICFRE3), Third (3rd). Proceedings. Society
of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), National Institute
of Standards and Technology (NIST) and International
Association of Fire Safety Science (IAFSS). October
4-8, 1999, Chicago, IL, Society of Fire Protection
Engineers, Boston, MA, 257-267 pp, 1999.
Keywords:
fire research; fire protection engineering; flame
propagation; phosphorus; fire suppression; kinetics;
decomposition; flame temperature; inhibition; burning
velocity; counterflow flames; diffusion flames
Abstract:
Prohibition, under the Montreal Protocol, of the
production of Halon 1211 and Halon 1301 has created a
need for new, environmentally acceptable fire
suppressants. Literature data suggest that some
phosphorus-containing compounds may be very efficient
fire suppressants. Phosphorus-containing agents
(powders) are mentioned as effective agents for
smoldering combustion due to the formation of polymer
films on the surface of burning materials, preventing
penetration of oxidizer inside the burning material.
They are considered to be effective compounds for the
suppression of Mg combustion and combustion of some
metals and are used as retardants in fire-resistant
polymers. In spite of the large literature on the use of
such compounds as flame-retardants in solids, there are
only a few references to phosphorus-containing liquids
or gases as flame suppressants. Thus, studies on the
fire suppression efficiency of phosphorus compounds and
its mechanism of influence are of interest. In this work
we report the results of numerical studies on the
inhibition mechanism of methane flames by
phosphorus-containing additives; dimethyl
methylphosphonate, trimethyl phosphate and phosphorus
tribromide (DMMP, TEP, PBr3). Short survey of
experimental data on fire suppression properties of
phosphorus agents is presented. The dependencies of
burning velocity on an inhibitor concentration and
additive decomposition rate were analyzed. The influence
of flame temperature on inhibition efficiency was also
considered.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899