Testing and InField Experience for the FIRE Panel Fuel Tank Protection Device
A technology has been devised and recently deployed in highway vehicle transportation to protect vehicle fuel tanks from impact-induced fires. The technology is currently employed in the FIRE Panel product, which exhibits an improved design based upon powder panel technology used for decades to protect military aircraft from ballisticinduced fuel tank-fed fires. The device comprises a shallow shell, filled with a powder fire extinguishing agent, which is mounted on or near a fuel tank or other flammable fluid reservoir. In the event of an impact to the fuel tank or reservoir, such as due to a collision, which might rupture the tank and spill fuel to be ignited, the adjacent FIRE Panel also impacted shatters as designed, discharging a plume of extinguishing powder to inert the space around the leaking fuel tank or other reservoir, even if the vehicle travels some distance after impact. The simplicity and low cost of the device make it practical for most transportation applications. The science of inerting fuel vapor/air spaces with previously released dry chemical, and the notably low concentrations required for the application, as demonstrated by the Bureau of Mines in addition to military evaluations, will also be discussed. The pedigree of full-scale crash tests, using rocket sled facilities and actual gasoline and live ignition sources to provide a significant threat of fire, will be addressed. The various in-field applications of the device will also be discussed, including motorsports use in the Trans Am racing series, and most recently NASCAR, as used in actual competition. Military transportation applications now being evaluated for the product, including Tactical Wheeled Vehicle fuel tank protection, and their resultant test data will also be discussed. Highway vehicle applications, including its deployment by the thousands on Crown Victoria police cars, and real-world activations while in service will be reviewed.
AUTOMOTIVE COLLISION FIRES
Eight full-scale collision experiments were conducted and 73 collision fire case studies were investigated to provide data relating to fuel system failure modes and susceptibility of fuel system designs to collision fires. Data regarding impact speeds, nature of injuries, and climatic conditions are included. Results of extensive laboratory experiments provide specific ignition conditions for common fuels and define ignition hazards of exhaust systems and electrical and lighting circuitry. The physics of crash fire atmospheres is described, including air quality, radiant and convective heat transfers, and the relationship between burn physiology and occupant escape time. Design concepts are suggested for limiting fuel spillages, ignition sources, and thermal stress to motorists.
Fire and Explosion Manual for Aircraft Accident Investigators
Abstract : This manual was prepared at the request of the Air Force to provide aircraft accident investigators with compilations of various safety data and with suitable guidelines for investigating aircraft fires or explosions. Sections are included on investigative procedures, physical properties of materials, ignitability and flammability characteristics of flammable fluids or solids, damage analysis of fires or explosions, and the evaluation of protective measures. Compilations of selected data for fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, explosives, and other materials of interest are given in the appendix for quick reference. Definitions and theory necessary to the application of these data are included in the appropriate sections of the manual. Most of the tabular and graphical data were derived from research programs sponsored by the Air Force and other federal agencies interested in fuel safety.