Code Approval of Composite Propane Cylinders for Indoor Use ...

Task 5 – Develop Detailed Fire Performance Test PlanThe purpose of Task 5 is to develop a test plan to gather the necessary data on the fireperformance of composite cylinders filled with propane.Specific issues on fire performance that have been considered during the development of the testplan include:• BLEVE versus ballooning – if a cylinder yields sufficiently, there may be little to nochance that the cylinder can BLEVE, which produces the high-velocity fragments thatconcern fire fighters.• Types of fires – performance of equipment in fires may depend a great deal upon thetype of fire, whether an impinging, engulfing, or flash-over fire.• Cylinder orientation – cylinder orientation may affect the performance of a cylinderin various fire scenarios.• Cylinder fill level – fill level may also affect the performance of a cylinder in variousfire scenarios.• Pressure relief valve versus no pressure relief valve – as discussed in Phase I, the useof a relief valve may not be necessary in some cylinders, particularly those ofcomposite construction. The yielding of the cylinder material, including the diffusionof propane through softening walls, may be sufficient to prevent a catastrophicrupture, and prevent the impinging torch effect of an open relief valve.• Performance when subjected to a fire hose water stream – performance of thecomposite cylinder under fire conditions may change when cooled with a fire hosewater stream.All of these scenarios were taken into consideration during development of the detailed fireperformance test plan. In addition, feedback from the Fire Protection Research FoundationTechnical Advisory Panel was requested to help direct the development of the test plan. Theirinput is discussed further in the following section.Fire Protection Research FoundationTechnical Advisory Panel CommentsThe first meeting of the Foundation Technical Advisory Panel was held at NFPA Headquartersin Quincy, MA on June 23, 2005. Attendees included:James Burns National Association of State Fire MarshalsRichard Fredenburg State of North Carolina, Dept of Agriculture & ConsumerServices, Member, NFPA LPG CommitteeTed Lemoff NFPA staff liaisonPeter McMahon NFPA Fire Service SectionBob Morrill International Association of Fire ChiefsRoberto Rivera IAFC and NFPA Metro Chiefs SectionGary Santoro International Fire Marshals AssociationComposite Propane Cylinders 25February 2007for Indoor Use — Phase IIBattelle