Determination of the Smoke Hazards Resulting from the Burning of Shipboard Materials Utilized by the US Navy

摘要

In further investigations of shipboard fires, physical and chemical properties of smoke particulates generated during combustion were determined for a polyphosphazene foam being considered for use as a thermal and acoustic insulation material in submarines. Physical properties measured were particle size distribution and mean particle diameter, mass fraction of fuel converted to particulates, optical density, particle refractive index, and particulate volume fraction. Dependence of these properties on the temperature of the test-chamber atmosphere and the mode of combustion (flaming or smoldering) was determined. Chemical analysis of the smoke particulates determined the major toxic species generated by the combustion of this material. Chemical analysis of the smoke particulates generated during nonflaming combustion indicated the presence of aliphatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic nitriles, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and oxygenated aromatic compounds, while organophosphorus compounds were not detected. The level of hydrogen cyanide expected from thermal decomposition of of the aliphatic nitrile species is well below the amount likely to produce acute toxic hazard to personnel exposed to gases in a fire.