Southwest Research Institute 1998 Annual Report, Fire Technology

The Institute continues to develop and expand its fire research and testing capabilities. SwRI provides multidisciplinary fire testing, research and engineering, consultation, and listing and labeling services worldwide to help clients solve fire and explosion problems. SwRI has been recognized as an international leader in fire technology by the Forum for International Cooperation in Fire Research, a worldwide group of fire research organization leaders dedicated to collaboration on fire research.

The Institute expanded its range of testing, improved its facilities, and acquired new equipment during the past year to offer full testing services to clients in the marine sector. Evaluations to qualify fire-restricting materials for use on high-speed craft, a category of ships that includes ferries operated within four hours of shore, can now be performed according to any of the methods described in the Fire Test Procedures code of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Tests such as the ISO 9705 Room Corner Test qualify fire-restricting materials in composite linings, which are used on high-speed craft. SwRI is one of few laboratories accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for fire testing according to IMO specifications and type approval of products. In addition, the Institute is accredited by Lloyd's Register of Shipping of London, England, to execute fire testing according to IMO specifications.

The Standards Council of Canada recognized the Institute's Fire Technology Department as a Certification Organization in 1998. Also, the USCG identified the Institute as an Independent Laboratory and Production Control Agency. The Institute now evaluates noncombustible and fire-resistive materials intended for ship construction as part of its listing, labeling, and follow-up inspection services program. SwRI engineers perform tests to ascertain if the material is noncombustible and/or fire-resistive. The scope of recognition for the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory program administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was expanded to include testing, listing and labeling of fire extinguishers and above-ground storage tanks for flammable liquids, two markets in which SwRI is actively involved.

The USCG seeks to develop small-scale laboratory test acceptance criteria to qualify linings, combustible components of furniture, and other contents as fire-restricting materials for small high-speed craft. In support of this effort, a research program was conducted using the cone calorimeter apparatus to develop data for comparison with various larger-scale fire tests. Composite materials and textile wall coverings were tested in small-scale and larger-scale test apparatuses. Results indicated that it is possible to use small-scale test procedures as an alternative to larger-scale tests for qualifying the products under investigation.

In response to client needs concerning more stringent toxicity regulations for products of combustion, the Institute developed a portable gas analysis system using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The system is directly integrated into various standard test equipment, providing continuous, on-line scanning of complex gas mixtures in both static and dynamic, and small- and large-scale environments. The high resolution and rapid scanning capabilities of the spectrometer provide a quick response to the toxicity concerns, with accuracy to one part per million while resolving up to 25 different gases simultaneously. An SwRI internal research program in conjunction with client-sponsored testing has provided the basis to establish an alternative to live animal testing.

SwRI engineers assist industry in determining the cause and origin of accidental fires and explosions and have also performed plant safety and hazard assessments at client facilities. Investigations are complemented by a wide array of laboratory tests to understand, confirm, mitigate, and avert future mishaps. During the 1998 fiscal year, SwRI engineers conducted on-site investigations to determine the causes of explosions in a pulp mill, propellant manufacturing facility, underground electrical service tunnel, and a grain processing facility. On-site investigations were conducted to determine the cause of fires in a vehicle service facility, an oil well hydraulic fracturing unit, and an electrical distribution system. The Institute also assisted in client-conducted investigations by performing experiments designed to explore and characterize poorly understood phenomena associated with accidents, or to gather basic information about the nature of flammable and explosive materials and processes.

Energetic and reactive chemicals can, under certain conditions, suddenly ignite or explode. These chemicals may also exhibit other related hazards that must be considered. The Institute provided analysis and testing services to help clients manage the physical hazard of energetic and reactive chemicals and to meet rules and regulations, codes, and standard compliance in the United States and abroad.

To support the offshore and petrochemical industries, SwRI engineers are studying the effects of jet fire impingement and hydrocarbon pool fires on structural members and critical service equipment. SwRI designs tests in agreement with presumed fire scenarios for specific equipment. Structural fire protective coatings for use in offshore and petrochemical facilities are exposed to jet fire conditions while critical service equipment, such as valves and safety packaging, is subjected to intense heat from hydrocarbon pool fires. A broad array of severe fire exposures can be simulated within the Institute's severe thermal exposure facility.

SwRI continues to perform Network Equipment Building Systems compliance testing to aid industry in providing reliable telecommunications service to consumers, so that continuous operation is assured during emergency calls for police, fire, and medical service. The tests evaluate the burning process, fire endurance and spread, fuel load, extinguishing properties, heat release, smoke measurements, combustion gas analysis, and smoke corrosivity.

Copyright© 1998 by Southwest Research Institute. All rights reserved under U.S. Copyright Law and International Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher. All inquiries should be addressed to Communications Department, Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas 78228-0510, phone (210) 522-2257, fax (210) 522-3547.