Development of a Standard Test Scenario to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Portable Fire Extinguishers in an Elevated Oxygen Environment

摘要

Spacecraft are currently operated in an elevated oxygen environment for various reasons for extended amounts of time. On the International Space Station, the most common and severe fire hazard scenario surrounds airlock operations. Materials in elevated oxygen are more flammable in this environment as a result of the increased availability of oxygen to sustain combustion in the event of a fire. Fires occurring in an elevated oxygen environment are much more energetic than in standard conditions, offering a greater challenge to a fire extinguisher. Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are currently used aboard international spacecraft as a means of mitigation in the event of a fire. Currently NASA is developing a fine water mist portable fire extinguisher for future use on international spacecraft. As development ensues, a need for the evaluation of various types of fire extinguishers is required to provide an unbiased means of ranking and comparison between units. The elevated oxygen fire scenario discussed is proposed as the standard test in evaluating fire extinguisher performance against elevated oxygen fires in spacecraft.