Development of a Surrogate STANAG 4240 Fire Exposure

Abstract : All ordnance systems must be classified for hazards that are often coupled with insensitive munitions in order to lower development costs and ensure that the ordnance performs as intended, but are less prone to violent reaction when subjected to external hazards. Traditionally, large-scale liquid hydrocarbon pool fire, often referred to as the fast-cook-off test, raises the ordnance temperature very quickly and evaluates how it reacts when engulfed in fire. Currently, the liquid fuel external fire is used to determine the type of reaction and time to reaction of the ordnance when exposed to a thermal insult. The test requires the complete ordnance package be completely engulfed within a liquid pool fire. The allowable hydrocarbons fuels have relatively high soot yields and therefore generate highly-radioactive thermal environments to objects immersed within the fire plume. There has been an international push to develop alternative fuel fire exposures due to lack of control over the current fire scenario and the environmental implications associated with the hydrocarbon pool fire. The alternative methods are more environmentally sustainable than the baseline test method, produce less soot, do not use HAPs, and pose a lower risk for occupational and environmental exposures. This report summarizes alternative fuel fire exposures and additional benefits over the existing liquid fuel fire exposure. The benefits considered in this work were with respect to cost of operation, added control over exposure, and environmental impact.