Still image from FDS/Smokeview simulation.
The report of the NIST study, NISTIR 6854, Simulation of the Dynamics of a Fire in a Two-Story Duplex—Iowa, December 22, 1999 is available in CD-ROM format. In addition to the report, the CD-ROM contains a video presentation, which provides a summary of the
report and includes photos of the fire scene and videos of the computer model results. A copy of the NIOSH Report, F2000-04, dealing with the incident, also is included on the disk. Fire department training officers are using the CD- ROM to demonstrate
how rapidly conditions can change in a house fire. More than 12,000 copies of the CD-ROM have been distributed. If you would like a copy of the CD-ROM, please e-mail your request to: daniel.madrzykowski@nist.gov.
The 5 m x 6.2 m single story structure, covered with asphalt based shingles and siding, was ignited by burning vegetation. It burned rapidly, being consumed in 7 minutes. Data from this
field test are being combined with laboratory measurements of burning properties of the wall and roof materials to estimate the total heat release rate of the structure.
Other opportunities to make measurements on different types and sizes of structures fully involved in fire are being sought to expand the database.
For additional Information contact: Dave Evans, telephone: (1) + 301-975-6897, e-mail: dave.evans@nist.gov.
Historically, the Navy has relied on damage control teams, consisting of 20-25 sailors, to combat accidental fires and battle damage. On large ships, there may be up to eight damage control repair parties.
However, part of the Navy’s strategic planning is to reduce overall shipboard manning by up to two-thirds. Since present shipboard damage control and
firefighting capabilities rely heavily on sailors, alternatives need to be developed. The Damage Control-Automation for Reduced Manning (DC-ARM) Program was initiated by the Office of Naval Research and conducted by the Naval Research Laboratory and Hughes Associates, Inc. The objective is to demonstrate the viability of automating the elements of the damage control related to
fire protection and fluid systems control. DC-ARM focused on the use of integrating intelligent sensor arrays with automated reasoning and casualty response technologies. This technology will allow the firefighting response to focus on maintaining tenability in unaffected areas, and over time recover the damaged areas. Even though firefighting personnel will be reduced, their safety may actually be improved as fewer sailors will need to be exposed to extremely dangerous conditions and more rapid automated response to fires and damage is possible.
The key technical component in this strategy, the capability to reliably automate sensing, decision-making, and control technologies, was demonstrated over a four-year period. Tests were conducted with a full complement of sailors organized in a traditional damage control
repair party. Standard manual firefighting techniques were used in response to a simulated multi-deck, multi-compartment fire that could result from combat induced damage. Limitations of current firefighting tactics/procedures were identified. In particular, the “situational awareness” of firefighters was limited, that is, the knowledge of when and where to allocate personnel to prevent fire and smoke spread beyond the initial area of damage.
A second series of tests was conducted using “remote-manual” capabilities. Installed detection, suppression and valve-control technologies were implemented.
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Ex-USS Shadwell Damge Control Central (DCC) with Intelligent Supervisory Control System (SCS).