9 Fire Test Procedures
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 - 9 Fire Test Procedures

9 Fire Test Procedures

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

9.1 Test conditions

 The following test conditions should apply:

  • .1 the ambient temperature, measured inside the fire test compartment, prior to the start of a test should be 20 ± 5°C;

  • .2 the water temperature, measured prior to the test, should be 15 ± 5°C; and

  • .3 the premix temperature, measured prior to the test, should be 17.5 ± 2.5°C.

9.2 Verification of the temperature in the test compartment

  9.2.1 Prior to any testing, the propane gas burner should be adjusted to provide the following gas temperatures, respectively, measured using the thermocouple 150 mm behind the foam generator. The approximate Heat Release Rate (HRR) used in pre-normative testing is given as a guide (see note below).

Ambient conditions
(propane gas burner not in use) 		Approximate Heat Release Rate (HRR)
+ 100°C 18 kW
+ 150°C 28 kW
+ 200°C 42 kW
+ 300°C 90 kW

  9.2.2 The temperature should be reached within 3 min to 6 min and the temperature increase should be less than 5% per min after the desired temperature is reached. It might be necessary to adjust the HRR slightly during the temperature rise.

  9.2.3 During the verification of the temperature, the generator should be connected to the water source. The flowing water pressure should be 6 ± 0.1 bar. The flowing water will cool down the pipes, connectors and the generator during the temperature rise and provides airflow through the generator and the test compartment.

  Note: During pre-normative testing it has been concluded that the above temperatures at given HHR are reached within 3 min to 6 min.

9.3 Fire test procdure

  9.3.1 The fire test procedure should be applied as follows:

  • .1 the ambient temperature, the water temperature and the premix temperature should be measured and recorded;

  • .2 start the water flow through the generator. The flowing water pressure should be within 10% of the nominal/design water pressure;

  • .3 the temperature measurements should be started;

  • .4 the propane gas burner should be lit by means of a torch or a match;

  • .5 when the desired gas temperature is reached, the valve for the water delivery should be shut and the valve for the premix should be opened;

  • .6 adjust the foam system pressure to within 10% of the nominal/design pressure;

  • .7 the determination of the foam properties should be undertaken (see section 10); and

  • .8 the test is terminated.

  9.3.2 The procedure is repeated at each temperature level, as described in subsection 9.2.

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