Nozzle Research for 3D Gas-Phase Firefighting
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In 2000 a further research project was completed in Sweden at the request of the Stockholm Fire Brigade when Anders Handell, of Lund University, evaluated various firefighting fog/spray streams using computer aided technology and live-fire experience to compare the effectiveness of a wide range of nozzles in cooling the super-heated gaseous conditions that exist in the overhead of a fire-involved compartment.
Both research projects were independent of each other but it is worthy of note that each study recommended exactly the same nozzle as being the most effective in gas-phase cooling and fire extinguishing applications!
This particular nozzle is used by London Fire Brigade and many other fire authorities throughout Europe to deal with impending flashover and backdraft conditions. As a result of this research the Stockholm Fire Brigade, established experts in 3D gaseous-phase cooling techniques, are initiating a replacement program to equip their brigade throughout with the recommended nozzle.
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Abstract
Evaluation of fire-fighting spray nozzles when cooling hot smoke gases in a compartment fire. Computer simulations have been made concerning the fire scenario and time to reach fire control when water is applied. Total amounts of water are also calculated. Suggestions and conclusions drawn from the results are shown in the report. (Swedish)
126
page report from Lund University HERE!
Whilst the majority of the report is in Swedish the conclusions appear below (and in the report) in English and there are many charts and tables that can be examined and understood demonstrating spray patterns, droplet sizes, velocities and cooling rates etc.
This report is the result of the final course taken by Anders Handell at the Fire Engineering program at Lund University in Sweden. The purpose of the course is to carry out a major task and solve this with the knowledge acquired during the education. In this report different fire-fighting spray nozzles are evaluated when used in a smoke gas-cooling situation. The background of the project is a job carried out by the author at the Stockholm Fire Department during the summer of 1999 concerning equipment on the fire engines. The spray nozzle, which is used, the TA 'Fogfighter', was criticized to some extent.
The
purpose of this project is to investigate if there are decisive
differences between different spray nozzles when cooling hot smoke gases
in a compartment fire. The report will hopefully be a basis for Stockholm
Fire Department when purchasing new nozzles. Aspects like service,
durability and economy are also included in the report. The project was
carried out with the help of computer simulations, large-scale fire
scenarios and different measurements. The computer simulations concern the
fire scenario investigating the time each fuel load can be used in the
experiments. Further the extinguishing attempts are simulated in order to
compare data from the large-scale experiments to data simulated. A
sensitivity analysis regarding the importance of the water droplet size in
the computer program Fire Demand Model has also been carried out. The
large-scale experiments were carried out in the fire drill house at
Stockholm Fire Department training facility at Ågesta south of Stockholm.
Values measured are time to fire control, instantaneous flow rate and
total amount of water used. Pressure and flow measurements for the nozzles
were carried out in order to compare these values with values given by the
manufacturer and to try to draw conclusions from these values when
investigating the results from the large-scale experiments. Spray patterns
for the nozzles have been measured at the Swedish National Testing and
Research Institute in Borås, Sweden. These results are also a factor when
investigating the results from the large-scale experiments.
The results from the large-scale experiments show that nozzles with high nozzle pressure and a good spray pattern are better than nozzles with high flows but low nozzle pressure and a bad spray pattern. Task Force Tips Ultimatic is the nozzle, which shows the best results from the large-scale experiments in a smoke gas-cooling situation. This is assumed to depend on the fact that the operating nozzle pressure is the same as the value which the manufacturer states. The flow is reasonably high and the nozzle shows the best spray pattern measured. The Fogfighter does not show the best performance although it is the most used nozzle in the Swedish fire departments. However, there are other factors as manageability and economy, which are important. In these test the new Fogfighter managed better to cool the smoke gases than the old one.
Thirteen
firefighting nozzles were evaluated and compared for gas-cooling
effectiveness in the overhead -
1.
TFT Ultimatic (for both main-line or hosereel use)
2.
3.
Unifire 10 C
4.
Unifire APG
5.
Unifire Jet Set
6. Unifire
Output 12
7.
TA Fogfighter Main-line nozzle
8. TA Fogfighter Hosereel nozzle
9.
TFT Quadrafog 500
10.
Protek 322
11.
Protek 366
12.
Viper Select
13.
Akron Turbojet
3D Water-Fog
Attack
The
purpose of this project is to investigate if there are decisive
differences between different spray nozzles when cooling hot smoke gases
in a compartment fire.
Most
Effective Nozzle?
Two independent scientific studies
have concluded that the Task Force Tips Ultimatic is the
nozzle, which shows the best results from the large-scale experiments in a
smoke gas-cooling situation.