A series of full-scale fire tests of a twin-fluid water mist system was conducted in an empty enclosure and in a simulated machinery space. During the tests, two water mist discharge modes (continuous and cycling) were used. The extinguishment performance of the water mist system using these two discharge modes was investigated under various fire scenarios, including different fire sizes, types and locations, and different ventilation conditions. The test results showed that the use of the cycling discharge substantially improved the effectiveness of the water mist system for fire suppression, in comparison to the continuous discharge. The corresponding extinguishing time and water requirement for fire suppression were significantly reduced, and some fires that could not be extinguished by the use of the continuous discharge were extinguished by the use of the cycling discharge. The improvement in fire suppression was attributed to high depletion and dilution rate of oxygen and the recurrent dynamic mixing generated by the cycling water mist discharge in the compartment.
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