Abstracts EDITOR'S NOTE: For information on how to set up your own a b s t r a c t file and information retrieval system incorporating abstracts from F r e e TECHNOLOC¥ and other sources, see the article, "Information R e t r i e v a l - Three Practical Methods," on page 69 of the February 1965 issue. I n clipping these abstracts for mounting on file cards, the reverse side of each page should be photocopied to retain the abstracts appearing thereon. The classification code numbers followed by an asterisk (*) refer to new categories assigned subsequent to the publication in M a y 1964 of the N F P A Library Classification System for Fire Protection. The corresponding subject heading entries are designated in the footnotes. NFPA Lib. Class. 15.4B.3a KEY WORDS:
high expansion foam, stability, automatic sprinklers, hlgh-piled
stock, ab-
sorption. ABSTRACT: There is a shrinkage in Kidde's High-Ex Foam of 2.0 ft ~of foom/ft2/min under the impact of sprinkler discharge while with unstable foam, the height under sprinkler discharge was 60 per cent of the height outside the sprinklered area. The unstable f o a m would have doubtful value on higher fire levels with sprinklers in operation. Damage to w a t e r absorbent materials will be minimized by the use of stable foam of the lowest possible density and the removal of the foam from the absorbent materials promptly after extingjishment. REFERENCE: " S t a b i l i t y - - The Key to Effective High Expansion F o a m - - Part I1," W. B. Jamlson,
Fire Technology, Vol. 6, No. 2 (May 1970) pp. 140-147. Abs: 7 0 - 1 6 , Fire Technology, May 1970; Boston, Mass.
NFPA Lib. Class. 4.3B KEY WORDS: flames, models, pulsation, test fires. ABSTRACT: Some fires set up pulsations involving the flame volume over on area o f burning fuel. A dimensional analysis of this phenomenon yields two essentianal dimensionless variables - - a dimensionless time and a buoyancy number. The associated scaling laws showed that pulsation frequency should vary inversely as the square root of fire diameter for geometrically similar fires. Results of modeling tests, consisting of six sizes of circular pool fires burning ethanol fuel were in good agreement with the predicted relationships between fire diameter and pulsation frequency. REFERENCE: "The Modeling of Pulsating Fires," George M. Byram and Ralph M. Nelson, Jr.,
Fire Technology, Vol. 6, No. 2 (May 1970), pp. 102-110. Abs: 7 0 - 1 7 , Fire Technology, May 1970; Boston, Mass.
NFPA Lib. Class° 6.2C KEY WORDS: boiling points, computation, flammability, flash points, hydrocarbons~ ignition
temperature. ABSTRACT: In the past, difficulty in reproducing certain tests has led to diversity in publlshed flammability limits, ignition temperatures, and flash points of hydrocarbons, Simplified formutas are given far calculating these characteristics far paraffinic hydrocarbons and aieflns, isomers, the benzene series, and alcohols. REFERENCE: "Calculating Flammability Characteristics of Hydrocarbons and ATcohols, '~ A. A. Shimy, Fire Technology, VoL 6, No. 2 (May 1970), pp. 135-139.
Abs: 7 0 - 1 8 , Fire Technology, May 1970; Boston, Mass.
154
&bstract~
]SS N F P A Lib. Class° 8 . 1 B
KEY WORDS: burning rate, room fires, ventilation, forecasting, test fires. ABSTRACT: The value of k ~n the equation of the burning rate in a fully developed fire in a compartment with one small ventilation opening has been the subject of controversy. In the equation R = kAH 1/2 where A is the area, H is the height of the opening, and the usually accepted value of k ~ 6 kg rain-1 m-6/2. However, Salzberg and Waterman have reported a k value of 13 kg rain- l m -6/~. On the basis of the data from a number of laboratories over a wide range of conditions, it is hard to account for the high k value of Salzberg and Waterman or to accept this value as representative of normal conditions. REFERENCE: "Rate of Burning of Ventilation--Controlled Fires in Compartments," A. J. M. Heselden, P. H. Thomas, and Margaret Law, Fire Technology, Vol. 6, No. 2 ( M a y 1 9 7 0 ) pp. 123-125.
Abs: 7 0 - t 9 ,
Fire Technology, M a y 1970; Boston, Mass. N F P A Lib. Class° 8 . 1 0 1
KEY WORDS: smoke, partitions, hospitals, doors, Life Safety Code. ABSTRACT: A suggested revision of NFPA No. 101 Life Safety Code as applied to hospitals involves the spacing of smoke stop partitions based on the facility of movement of personnel and patients to on area of refuge. The suggested code changes ~nctuded: (1) any point in a common egress shall be within 75 ft of a refuge area through a smoke stop door or an approved exit; (2) each floor used for institutional sleeping rooms shall be divided into at least two smoke zones; (3) there shall be adequate space in each smoke zone to accommodate all of the occupants of the larger adjoining smoke zones; and (4) smoke stop partitions shall be of one-hour fire-reslstive construction. REFERENCE: " A New Look at Smoke Stop Partitions," Jo R. Haggerty, Fire Technology, Vol. 6, No. 2 ( M a y 1 9 7 0 ) p p . 111-122.
Abs: 7 0 - 2 0 , Fire Technology, M a y t 9 7 0 ; Boston, Mass. N F P A Lib. Class. 1 5 . 5 A . 7 KEY WORDS: boiling points, flames, inhibition, haiogenated extinguishing agents. Abstract: The combustion inhibiting efficiency of a number of organo-bromlne compounds has been determined by the Limiting Oxygen (ndex (LOI) method pioneered by the General Electric Company. When considered on a weight basis, Halon t001 is more efficient than Halon 1202, 1211, and 1011, which are of nearly equal efficiency and more efficient than Halan 1301. Halon 1301 is more efficient than Hal on 2 4 0 2 . The LOt is nearly independent of the fuel and air concentrations, and seems to be constant for a given set of conditions. The LOI is only slightly dependent upon the composition of the agent. REFERENCE: "Flame Inhibition by Bromine Compounds," R. V. Petrella and Go D. Sellers, Fire Technology, Vol. 6, No. 2 ( M a y 1970), pp. 93-101.
Abs: 70-21, Fire Technology, M a y 1970; Boston, Mass. N F P A Lib. Class. 1 0 o 5 B . 3 c KEY WORDS: control lines, wildland fires, fire spread, fire research, field testing. ABSTRACT: The fireline cleared by a hand-tool crew remains a major element in the suppression of wildland fires. Guidelines are given that would enable the fire boss to estimate the fireline that can be built under various conditions of fuel, terrain, weather and rate of fire spread and adjust his crew allocations accordingly. The guidelines were developed from actuat fireline worklogs in California wildland fires during the 1 9 6 6 - 1 9 6 8 fire seasons. Resistance to control was a function of the required fireline width, which varied from 3.6 ft for light fuel to 5.8 ft for the heaviest brush. Computer use would facilitate similar studies of local fuels and crews in other areas. REFERENCE: "Building Firellnes--How Fast Do Crews Work?" James L. Lindquist, Fire Technology, Vat. 6, No. 2 ( M a y 1970) pp. 1 2 6 - 1 3 4 .
Abs: 7 0 - 2 2 , Fire Technology, M a y 1970; Boston, Mass.
156
Fire Technology NFPA Lib. Class. 3.3
KEY WORDS: systems engineering, fire departments, models, operations research, optimiza-
tion. ABSTRACT: Although the systems approach is applicable in defense and space where human behavior is not a principal ingredient, there are probfems in app}ying systems analysis to fire protection. The fire practitioner does not have the controlled experiment or planned experimentation of the research worker, since his solutions in prevention and suppression ore frequently politically and economically restrained. REFERENCE: "Systems Analysis and the Fire Department: Prob}ems in Design," James B. Davis, Fire Journal (National Fire Protection Association, 60 Batterymarch St,, Boston, Mass. 0 2 1 1 0 ) , VoID 64, No. 2 (March 1970), pp. 84-87.
Abs: 7 0 - 2 3 , Fire Technology, May 1970; Boston, Mass.
NFPA Lib. Class. 3.3A KEY WORDS: consultants, fire protection, life safety, engineering, property protection.
ABSTRACT: With technical and scientific knowledge doubling every seven years, fire protection engineers have been forced to narrow their focus of interest and expertise to keep up with current knowledge and practice, and this has created a demand for the services o f consulting specialists. The consulting fire protection engineer should emphasize an engineering economicstype cost versus benefit approach with an emphasis on life safety as well as p r o p e r t y protection. REFERENCE: "The Consultant's
Role in Fire Protection," Gerald L. Maatman, Fire Journal (National Fire Protection Association, 60 Batterymarch St., Boston, Mass. 02 110 ), Vok 64, No. 2 (March 1970), pp. 11, 12, 95. Abs: 70-24, Fire Technology, May 1970; Boston, Mass.
NFPA Lib. Class. 3.1D KEY WORDS: standards, safety measures, accident prevention, legislation.
ABSTRACT: The U.S. Department of Labor is implementing studies and methods to improve the national safety and health record. The Labor Department has adopted accepted standards, such as those of the NFPArather than developing new standards. All of the standards adopted as regulations under the Walsh-Healy Act are being organized into pre-operational and operational controls to obtain an inspection survey handbook for the guidance o f the Labor Department field engineers. Every nationally recognized standard will be keyed to requirements for operating and maintaining a safe and healthful workplace. REFERENCE: "The Meaning and Implementation of Safety end Health Standards f o r Federal Supply Contracts," Robert D. Gidel, Fire Journal (National Fire Protection Association, 60 Batterymarch St., Boston, Mass. 0 2 1 1 0 ) , Vat. 64, No. 2 (March 1970), pp. 5 7 - 6 1 , 64-.
Abs: 7 0 - 2 5 , Fire Technology, May 1970; Boston, Mass.
NFPA Lib. Class. 15o4A.2 KEY WORDS: foam, field testing, protein foams, deterioration.
ABSTRACT: A portable test kit has been developed to check the usability of N a v y foam liquid stores. The kit contains all the components to carry out the following tests: 1 ) a clogging test, which allows the detection of the presence of large sediment particles ( b y filtration through an 80 mesh screen) that could clog the foam generating equipment; 2) a sedimentation test that measures the total quantity of particulates in the foam liquid (by centrifuging) which, if excessive, could congeal into a sediment large enough to clog the generating equipment; and 3) a drainage test which indicates if the generated foam has adequate ~re-flghting characteristics. REFERENCE: "Advancements in Extinguishants--A Symposium, Part 4-A New K i t for Field Testing of Protein Foam." Ira Wilder, Fire Journal (National Fire Protection Association, 60 Batterymarch St., Boston, Mass. 02110), Vol. 64, No, I (Jan. 1970), 38-40~
Abs: 7 0 - 2 6 , Fire Technology, May 1970; Boston, Mass.
Abstracts
I57 NFPA Lib. Class. 15.4
KEY WORDS: fire control, water sprays, foam, hose streams. A B S T R A C T : The application of water as a fine spray reduces the time of knockdown, control, and extinguishment by foam. The size of water spray droplets or the size of the water stream has a more pronounced effect on foam efficiency than does the water application rate. The coarser the water droplets applied, the lower the efficiency of both the water and foam. Straight streams from hose lines can prevent formation of an effective foam blanket in the immediate area of turbulence. REFERENCE: "Advancements in Extinguishants--A Symposium, Part 4 - - T h e Effect of Water Spray on Fire-Fighting Foam," Donald N. Meidrum and John R. Wiillams, Fire Journal (National Fire Protection Association, 60 Batterymarch St., Boston, Mass. 02110), Vol. 64, No. 1 (Jan. 1970), pp. 33-38.
Abs: 7 0 - 2 7 , Fire Technology, May 1970; Boston, Mass.
NFPA Lib. Class. 17.5G KEY W O R D S : fire protection, fire extinguishing systems, fire detectors, halogenated extinguishing agents. A B S T R A C T : The FIREPAC 360 System is a portable, flexible, automatic, self-contained, fire detection and protection system with full damage control capability within 5 seconds. The system directly attacks flame, heat, smoke, personnel threat, fire fighting damage, and agent damage with the release of Halon 1301 activated by a thermal and smoke alarm. REFERENCE: "The Extinguishing Thing," Rexofrd Wilson, Fire Journal (National Fire Protection Association, 60 Botterymarch St., Boston, Mass. 02 110)~ Vol. 64, No. 1 (Jan. 1970), pp. 17-21, 28.
Abs= 7 0 - 2 8 , Fire Technology, May 1970; Boston, Mass.
NFPA Lib. Class. 8.16C KEY WORDS: high-rise buildings, construction, fire protection, inspection, life safety. A B S T R A C T : The problems of safety and fire protection expected during the construction of the six buildings of the $600,000,000 World Trade Center in New York City are so varied and complex that a number of fire and safety programs were prepared for various aspects and phases of the construction and then coordinated into a master plan. The program included: communications and fire afarm procedures, fire protection equipment, fire prevention activities, and coordination with the fire department. REFERENCE: ~'Fire Protection During Construction," Donald Herbstman, Fire Journal (National Fire Protection Association, 60 Batterymarch St., Boston, Mass. 02 110), Vol. 64, No. 1 (Jan. 1970), pp. 2 9 - 3 2 , 89.
Abs: 7 0 - 2 9 , Fire Technology, May 1970; Boston, Mass.
NFPA Lib. Class. 19.2 KEY WORDS: plutonium, glove boxes, fires, life safety, conveyors, radiation shielding. A B S T R A C T : A fire in an interconnecting conveyor and glove-box assembly used in the manufacture of plutonium ports involved plutonium briquettes and pyrophorlc plutonium scrap stored in uncovered cans resulted in a $45,000,000 loss including decontamination costs and one case of inhaled plutonium, which was quickly eliminated on treatment. Plastic windows, a major structural part of the containment system provided a fuel surface on the inside of the glove-boxconveyor system. A higher standard of fire protection for such facilities, the necessity for more information on the spontaneous ignition and burning properties of plutonium, automatic suppression of fires within the system, isolation of fires to small areas, and the use of sprinklers were indicated controls. REFERENCE: "The Rocky Fiats Fire," David E. Patterson, Fire Journal (National Fire Protection Association, 60 Batterymarch St., Boston, Mass. 02110), Vat. 64, No. 1 (Jan. 1970), pp. 5-7, 15.
Abs: 7 0 - 3 0 , Fire Technology, May t 9 7 0 j Boston, Mass.