MODEL SCALE FIRE TESTS ON A VEHICLE DECK ON BOARD A SHIP

This report describes model scale tests conducted to investigate the fire development on a Ro-Ro ferry vehicle deck. The objective was to investigate the conditions that can arise during a fire on a vehicle deck and to suggest suitable tactical measures when fighting the fire manually. The tests mainly focused on the effect of natural and mechanical ventilation as well as the effects of sprinklers on the fire development. The model used was constructed in scale 1:8 of a typical Ro-Ro vehicle deck. Its size, 11.4 m x 2.8 m x 0.6 m (length x width x height) corresponds to an actual vehicle deck of about 90 m x 22 m x 5 m. The model incorporated stairwells, ventilation shafts, large door openings, scuppers (drainage for water), a fan to provide about 10 air changes per hour and a sprinkler system. The fire's source consisted of a wood crib, equivalent when scaled up, to a burning truck with a fire output of about 70MW.