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Still Image Captured from the Dormitory Test Video
A series of experiments initiated in a day room open to the corridor of the dormitory were conducted as part of the study. Smoke alarm and sprinkler activation are presented for all three tests. Quantitative measurements were made for heat only, and some qualitative measurements were made for visibility with video cameras.
The experiments demonstrate the significant improvements in life safety that an automatic sprinkler system can provide. The recommended thermal tenability
levels of 120oC (250oF) for temperature and 2.5 kW/m2 for heat flux (from the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering) were used to compare the data. In the unsprinklered experiments, the temperature tenability limits were exceeded in the corridor remote from the fire. Untenable conditions began in the corridor as early as 3 minutes after ignition and spread through the corridor within another 3 minutes. In the sprinklered experiments at no time did the temperature in the day room or in the corridor exceed
120oC (250oF) at the 1.5 m (5 ft) level above the floor and below.
No significant increase in the heat flux above ambient conditions was measured in the corridor.
The complete report, “Impact of Sprinklers on the Fire Hazard in Dormitories: Day Room Fire Experiments”, NISTIR 7120, by D. Madrzykowski, D. Stroup, and W. D. Walton is available here, or a copy in CD format may be obtained by contacting Dave Stroup, david.stroup@nist.gov.
Momar Seck and NIST firefighter Ivan Todd confirm that both connections on this NIST Gaithersburg site fire hydrant comply with the national standard.
One hundred years have passed since the Great Baltimore (Maryland, USA) Fire started on February 7, 1904. It is believed the fire started by a cigar or cigarette that fell into the basement of a building. It took thirty hours to put out the fire because of fire hydrant and hose connection incompatibility, despite efforts from fire departments from as far away as New York City. 1,231 firefighters, 57 engines, nine trucks, two hose companies, one fireboat and one police boat were involved in the suppression effort. The fire claimed 1,526 buildings in an area of 70 city blocks. Shortly thereafter, a national standard for fire hydrant connections was adopted by the National Fire Protection Association.
How compatible are the hydrant and hose connections today? Today, fire engines are forced to carry adaptors that can make connections with all hydrants in their local areas. A recent report, “Major U.S. Cities Using National Standard Fire Hydrants, One Century After the Great Baltimore Fire”, NISTIR 7158, by Momar D. Seck and David D. Evans, addresses that question. Survey results from the 48 largest cities in the United States are summarized in the report.
For more information, contact Nelson Bryner at 301-975-6868 or nelson.bryner@nist.gov.
Throughout the world, the wildland fire season appears to be expanding and presenting new challenges. People are building in, or closer to, forests or they landscape their properties to resemble small forests.
In the event of a forest fire, firebrands and high winds often make an unfortunate combination in these situations. However, one approach to the problem has been developed by the South Australian County Fire Service.
The SA County Fire Service has tested a sprinkler system on metal or tile roofs and they appear to be quite effective in protecting the home by reducing the impact of radiant heat, direct flame contact and
ember attack on the home by supplying a curtain of water that wets down the roof and walls.
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