Medical Research Programs, Past and Future, for Designing Atmospheres to Retard Fires

摘要

One method of improving submarine fire safety is to retard the flammability of combustible materials with atmospheres containing < or = 19% oxygen. This should only be done if it is known that crews can effectively perform their occupation in the oxygen-lean environment. The purpose of this report is to summarize the history of research in this special topic of submarine medicine. The report is concluded with an outline of work needed to provide nuclear submarine commanders the option of using fire-retardant atmospheres aboard patroling submarines.