Performance of Special Extinguishment Agents for ... - UL.com

Issued: September 30, 2008
Executive Summary
The following test series were conducted as part of this grant project:
1. NFPA 18, Physical Property Testing on Agents and Agent Solutions
2. NFPA 18, Class A Fire Extinguishment Tests – Wood Crib Tests with Listed 2A Rated Hand
Held Water Extinguisher
3. Residential Living Room Fire Testing
4. Fixed Nozzle Wood Crib Fire Testing of Agent Solutions
NFPA 18, Physical Property Testing on Agents and Agent Solutions
Physical characteristics testing and agent identification testing were conducted on eight (8) different
extinguishing agents. Differences were noted in section 4, Task 1 of this document.
NFPA 18, Class A Fire Extinguishment Tests – Wood Crib Tests with Listed 2A
Rated Hand Held Water Extinguisher
The evaluation began with eight (8) different extinguishing agents. They were a combination of
wetting agents, Class A foams and an agent not categorized for fire fighting service.
One (1) percent concentrations of the extinguishing agents were prepared in a hand held, 2-1/2 gallon
water extinguisher. UL 711, 3A wood cribs were used for this portion of the investigation. The crib
was ignited with commercial grade heptane in a pan underneath the crib. When the mass loss from the
burning wood crib reached 45 percent of the initial mass, a fire fighter attacked the crib fire from 3 of
the 4 sides, the top and bottom of the crib in accordance with the test method.
The result of the test series indicated no significant difference in the heat release rate reduction versus
time curve for the eight agents tested.
Residential Living Room Fire Testing
A fully furnished, fourteen by fourteen by eight foot high room with an adjacent fourteen foot long by
six foot wide by eight foot high corridor were used for this phase of the investigation. The primary
room was furnished with a sofa, loveseat, cocktail table, end tables, entertainment center and carpeting
as the primary combustibles.
The corner space was ignited using a trash can filled with shredded office paper. The fire was allowed
to grow naturally. The room was monitored for resulting heat release rate from the room and
corridor’s open passageways. Thirty seconds after flashover conditions were achieved as defined by
the measured heat release rate, a fire fighter attacked the room fire from just outside the primary space.
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