Development of a long duration flow facility for studies of blast--fire interaction. Final report

Abstract : The study reports on the conversion of an underground complex into a Long Duration Flow Facility (LDFF), the calibration of the facility, and a limited test program to study the effect of long duration pressure pulses on extinguishing materials simulated to have been ignited by the coincident thermal pulse (so-called 'blast-fire' interaction). High speed photographic cameras and pressure sensing gauges instrument the test room. Three blast-fire interaction tests were conducted and it was found that the blast wave extinguished initial fires, but would not extinguish smoldering fires in upholstered materials such as mattresses. These tests demonstrated the usefulness of the facility.