5 The Fire Test Compartment
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1384 – Guidelines for the Testing and Approval of Fixed High-Expansion Foam Systems – (10 December 2010) - Annex – Guidelines for the Testing and Approval of Fized High-Expansion Foam Systems - Appendix 4 – Optional Small Scale Test Method for High–Expansion Foam Concentrates to be Used With Inside Air - 5 The Fire Test Compartment

5 The Fire Test Compartment

Parent topic: Appendix 4 – Optional Small Scale Test Method for High–Expansion Foam Concentrates to be Used With Inside Air

5.1 General

  5.1.1 The fire test compartment should be constructed using 45 mm by 90 mm wood studs (or equivalent) and non-combustible wall boards, having a nominal thickness of between 10 and 15 mm. The walls and the ceiling should not be insulated.

  5.1.2 The compartment should be fitted with a doorway opening, to allow easy access. This doorway should be sealed closed during the tests.

  5.1.3 The compartment should be reasonably airtight and, if considered necessary, all gaps between parts of the compartment should be sealed using high-temperature resistant sealant.

5.2 Dimensions

  5.2.1 The inner dimensions of the compartment should be:

.1 length: 2,400 mm;
.2 width: 1,200 mm; and
.3 height: 2,400 mm.

  5.2.2 The bottom of the walls should be positioned 150 mm above floor level, in order to provide a gap around the bottom perimeter of the compartment, to allow the inflow of fresh air.

5.3 Flame screen

  5.3.1 The top part of the test compartment should be fitted with a flame screen, in order to prevent flames and hot combustion gases from flowing directly in to the high-expansion foam generator.

  5.3.2 The screen should be made from a perforated (approximately 50% free area) steel sheet. It should cover the width of the test compartment and should extend 600 mm down from the ceiling.

5.4 Position of the high-expansion foam generator

 The high-expansion foam generator should be positioned centrically through one of the short sides of the fire test compartment, with its centreline 200 mm below the ceiling. The cone end of the generator should be located 360 mm outside the short side of the fire test compartment.

5.5 Position of the propane gas burner

  5.5.1 The propane gas burner should be positioned at the opposite part of the test compartment, relative to the position of the high-expansion foam generator.

  5.5.2 The horizontal distance measured from the back and long side walls, should be 600 mm. The propane gas burner should be elevated, such that its top is 500 mm above floor level.

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