Fire Testing of Independent Fiberglass Fuel Tanks with and without Protective Coating of Fire Retardant Paint

摘要

A study of the effects of using fire retardant paint on fiberglass fuel tanks was conducted. Eight cylindrical 24 gallon tanks, four painted and four unpainted, were subjected to open pan diesel fuel fires for exposure times of 6 to 11 minutes. Test objectives were to evaluate the performance of painted and unpainted tanks in the empty, 1/4 full, and full of fuel condition wehn exposed to fire. Thermocouple measurements, external appearance, and internal appearance showed the painted tanks to perform significantly better in these short duration fire tests than did the unpainted tanks. (Author)