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

Table 10. Summary of Test Type 3Test ParametersResultsTestNumberPropaneLevelHeaterOrientationCylinderDesignInitial FireSource(kW)MaximumCylinderPressure(psig)Time BetweenFlash Overand CylinderMaximumPressure (m:s)MaximumAverage RoomCeilingTemperature(°C)2 Full Vertical 1 300 272 5:00 11185 Full Horizontal 1 300 236 4:31 8766 Half full Vertical 1 300 203 5:04 90711 Full Vertical 1 40/160* 212 5:15 75012 Half full Horizontal 1 40/160* 171 3:23 109014 Full Vertical 2 300 193 4:18 114418 1/3 Full H Vertical 1 40/160* 128 H 6:02 H 1028Full S 159 S 4:32 S* The initial fire size of 40 kW was after 5 minutes increased to 160 kW.H = Cylinder in heater, S = Spare cylinderTest Type 4 TestsIn tests making up Test Type 4, a heating appliance with the composite cylinder, and anadditional composite cylinder as a spare cylinder, were tested in an NFPA 286 configuration testroom with a steady 300 kW fire in one corner. In this test, the test room was lined with gypsumwallboard. The appliance was located in the opposite corner facing the open doorway with thespare cylinder standing next to it. During the test, the pressure in the gas cylinders was measuredand the cylinders were observed to detect any ignition of the cylinder material.The test was conducted for 20 minutes before the 300kW burner was extinguished. Thecylinders were monitored for an additional 10 minutes after the burner was turned off. Duringthe test, the spare cylinder pressure increased to a maximum of 231 psig at the end of 30 minutes.However, the cylinder did not ignite, and was found not to be leaking after the test wasterminated. The cylinder pressure in the heater remained fairly constant reaching a maximum of123 psig over the duration of the test.Test Type 5 TestsIn tests making up Test Type 5, a burning cylinder, filled to half of its capacity with water, waspressurized by nitrogen following a predetermined cylinder pressure-time curve obtained in TestType 2. The cylinder was impacted by a water hose stream when a cylinder pressure of 220 psigwas reached, 6 minutes into the test.Composite Propane Cylinders 40February 2007for Indoor Use — Phase IIBattelle