Evaluation of Quad-Agent Small Firefighting System
Technological advances and firefighting research have helped improve new firefighting systems on large and small aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles at airports. One such technology is a quad-agent firefighting system that has the capability to discharge four firefighting agents, i.e., water, foam, dry chemical (potassium bicarbonate (PK)), and clean agent (Halotron), individually or simultaneously. Water by itself is typically not used for aviation fuel firefighting. The water in the quad-agent system is used to mix with foam concentrate solution to create firefighting foam. The quad-agent firefighting system attempts to advance the concept of multiple agents simultaneously applied to the fire to affect a more rapid extinguishment of pool and flowing fuel fires, and maximize fire fighter safety by extending the distance needed to properly apply agent to the fire using its pulse delivery technology.
This research evaluated the capabilities and effectiveness of a quad-agent firefighting system. The research was done in terms of using different combinations of firefighting agents from the same discharge point during an agent flow duration test, agent discharge distance test, engine nacelle flowing fuel fires, and large-scale pool fires.
The results showed that during the agent flow duration tests, using aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) only, the quad-agent system produced an average flow duration of 155 seconds in compressed air foam (CAF) mode. Agent discharge distance results, using AFFF only, showed that the system produced its greatest average distance at a 20° discharge angle. The results from the engine nacelle with 30-ft-diameter ring and concrete pad flowing fuel fires showed the quad-agent system was capable of extinguishing the fires using AFFF only and its agent combinations with AFFF. Individual test results and agent combination averages differed throughout testing. Discharging AFFF, PK, and Halotron agents simultaneously did not significantly decrease the extinguishment time compared to the AFFF and PK combination. The results from the large-scale pool fires showed that the quad-agent system was capable of extinguishing the fire using AFFF only and its agent combinations with AFFF. Individual test results and agent combination averages differed throughout testing. Discharging AFFF, PK, and Halotron agents simultaneously did not significantly decrease the total extinguishment time or total agent discharge times compared to other agent combinations. During the engine nacelle flowing fuel fires and large-scale pool fires, discharging, AFFF, PK, and Halotron agents simultaneously was a less efficient use of available firefighting agent based on average test results. However, the quad-agent system’s ability to discharge its agents at the same discharge point will allow a fire fighter to adapt a fire attack as to what agent or agents they could use when extinguishing a fire.
DOT/FAA/AR-TN06/13
Authors: Keith Bagot & Nick Subbotin