Water Mist for Ship Machinery Spaces

摘要

Fires in naval vessels may lead to a loss of capability, function, life and in extreme situations, the loss of the vessel. Machinery space fires are a particular concern because of the availability of fuel and ignition sources. Suppressant systems employed in the machinery spaces of RAN vessels must have the cpability to extinguish fires that result from ignition of these fuels. The fuel properties that affect extinguishing behaviour are examined in this paper and the suitability of water mist as the extinguishant of choice for these fuels examined. Extinguishing tests have shown that water mist systems are capable of extinguishing Class B fires and were successful in extinguishing fires of fuels with flash points from 60 deg C (diesel) to -4 deg C (heptane). Water mist is also able to thermally manage compartment termperatures improving habitability and reducing the risk of fire spread.