Massive short distance spotting has been suspected of increasing the forward rate of spread of bushfires since McArthur (1967) attributed a three-fold increase in rate of spread to short distance spotting at a fire in Daylesford. However, research into spotting has generally focussed on the prediction of long distance spotting, perhaps because of its more obvious effects on suppression of bushfires. The amount of spotting that a fire generates and the distance that spotfires start from the main fire is dependent on the amount and type of bark fuel present, as this is the primary source of embers. / Existing models of fire behaviour have proposed only one model that allows spotting to influence the forward rate of spread of the main fire - the formation of pseudo fire fronts. This thesis proposes two new inl1uence mechanisms; pre-frontal burnout and the "indraught effect". Three hypotheses have been formed to test these three influence mechanisms. / As it is difficult, costly and dangerous to use high intensity fires for experimental purposes, a fire simulation model (SAROS) was developed to run on a personal computer. The SAROS model is based on the McArthur fire behaviour model (1967), with the addition of mechanisms that allow spotting to affect the forward rate of spread of the main fire. SAROS has been tested against data from fires where spotting was thought to have significantly increased the forward rate of spread, and is shown to be a reasonable model of fire behaviour. / Further experiments were carried out to test the sensitivity of the model to the input variables and the impact of each of the variables in the model on changes in forward rate of spread due to spotting. The SAROS model shows that it is possible for massive short distance spotting to increase the forward rate of spread by over 300% of the McArthur predicted rate of spread. However under the conditions where McArthur reported spotting increasing the rate of spread by a factor of three, the SAROS model accounts fbI' only around two thirds of that increase.

Defence Research and Development Canada - Atlantic is currently under a project arrangement with Sweden and Holland to investigate new or emerging fire suppression technologies in naval applications. One possible outcome of this project arrangement could be the identification of a safe and effective Halon 1301 replacement suppression agent within the respective navies. The subject area Canada has agreed to investigate is aerosol fire extinguishing agent technologies. Although aerosols have been shown to be effective in suppressing demonstration fires, to date there has been little systematic scientific research into fire suppression using aerosol particulates. Therefore, there is a need for more in depth investigation of some of the commercial aerosol products available on the market to determine their fire suppression efficacy in naval applications, as well as any potential negative impacts that the aerosol may have on personnel, equipment and the environment. Aerosol suppression systems range from small handheld grenade extinguishers to large fitted and remotely activated aerosol dispersal units. The fire research and testing presented in this thesis looks specifically at the efficacy and safe use of two variants of the small handheld aerosol extinguishers, while also assessing aerosol agent suppression technologies overall. The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) currently uses a two tiered response to fire, consisting of first response by a Rapid Response Team (RRT), followed by full response by an Attack Team (AT). A Rapid Attack Team (RAT) has been introduced as an intermediate response team. To enhance efficiency of the RRTs or RATs, handheld aerosol units, in this evaluation the Dry Sprinkler Powder Aerosol (DSPA) and StatX fire knock down aerosol extinguishers, could potentially be stored throughout the ship or transported by the teams to a fire scene and used to control, suppress or even extinguish a fire prior to the AT arriving on the scene, particularly in the case of smaller enclosure fires. To fully evaluate their potential for use in this capacity, it is important to carefully study the suppression efficacy of these units under conditions similar to those in which they would be deployed, as well as to better understand their impact on a fire environment in terms of important parameters such as compartment temperature reduction, visibility, oxygen concentration, aerosol particulate dwell time, and toxicity. In terms of operational issues related to deployment of these pyrotechnic tools onboard RCN vessels, it is critical to assess the requirements for extinguisher safe storage and to gain an understanding of the incendiary potential of the units, as well as post suppression overhaul, smoke/agent clearing and compartment gas free certification. The thesis includes a description of the experimental design, measurement techniques, and key results and conclusions for each of the 26 full-scale simulated marine enclosure live fire tests that were conducted. In general, handheld aerosol extinguishers have proven to be effective for fire control and even suppression under certain circumstances. They can improve the fire safety of RCN vessels when used correctly. Experimental data measured that relate to the consequences of accidental discharge and incendiary potential can also be used to ensure naval applications are safe and effective.

Two separate heat transfer problems that involve jet flows impinging on a reacting target are studied through modeling and experimentation. The first system is an ablating carbon-carbon specimen exposed to high heat fluxes from an oxy-acetylene torch which has applications in atmospheric re-entry vehicles. The second system involves the penetration of hot gases into the void space in a compartment. The fire protection stands to benefit from knowledge of this system, both in building component design and informing firefighting personnel. Both problems can be modeled as a jet flow impinging on a flat surface where hot gases from the jet lead to primarily convective heat transfer. Ablation experiments are outlined and a theoretical framework is developed. A serial inversion technique is tested for predicting the recession rate observed in the experiments. A novel inversion technique that takes advantage of parallel computing is developed to circumvent the shortcomings of the serial technique. These techniques are then compared to synthetically generated and experimental data for different data streams and error signals. Compartment-scale experiments were conducted to test hot gas penetration into void spaces. Anecdotal evidence was observed outside of the intended test section prompting further investigation into the mechanics of ignition in void spaces. A theoretical framework is established to predict possibility of ignition under varied environmental factors. A leakage-scale experiment is constructed to gain insight into conditions that result in ignition of materials in void spaces. / text

Defence Research and Development Canada - Atlantic is currently under a project arrangement with Sweden and Holland to investigate new or emerging fire suppression technologies in naval applications. One possible outcome of this project arrangement could be the identification of a safe and effective Halon 1301 replacement suppression agent within the respective navies. The subject area Canada has agreed to investigate is aerosol fire extinguishing agent technologies. Although aerosols have been shown to be effective in suppressing demonstration fires, to date there has been little systematic scientific research into fire suppression using aerosol particulates. Therefore, there is a need for more in depth investigation of some of the commercial aerosol products available on the market to determine their fire suppression efficacy in naval applications, as well as any potential negative impacts that the aerosol may have on personnel, equipment and the environment. Aerosol suppression systems range from small handheld grenade extinguishers to large fitted and remotely activated aerosol dispersal units. The fire research and testing presented in this thesis looks specifically at the efficacy and safe use of two variants of the small handheld aerosol extinguishers, while also assessing aerosol agent suppression technologies overall. The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) currently uses a two tiered response to fire, consisting of first response by a Rapid Response Team (RRT), followed by full response by an Attack Team (AT). A Rapid Attack Team (RAT) has been introduced as an intermediate response team. To enhance efficiency of the RRTs or RATs, handheld aerosol units, in this evaluation the Dry Sprinkler Powder Aerosol (DSPA) and StatX fire knock down aerosol extinguishers, could potentially be stored throughout the ship or transported by the teams to a fire scene and used to control, suppress or even extinguish a fire prior to the AT arriving on the scene, particularly in the case of smaller enclosure fires. To fully evaluate their potential for use in this capacity, it is important to carefully study the suppression efficacy of these units under conditions similar to those in which they would be deployed, as well as to better understand their impact on a fire environment in terms of important parameters such as compartment temperature reduction, visibility, oxygen concentration, aerosol particulate dwell time, and toxicity. In terms of operational issues related to deployment of these pyrotechnic tools onboard RCN vessels, it is critical to assess the requirements for extinguisher safe storage and to gain an understanding of the incendiary potential of the units, as well as post suppression overhaul, smoke/agent clearing and compartment gas free certification. The thesis includes a description of the experimental design, measurement techniques, and key results and conclusions for each of the 26 full-scale simulated marine enclosure live fire tests that were conducted. In general, handheld aerosol extinguishers have proven to be effective for fire control and even suppression under certain circumstances. They can improve the fire safety of RCN vessels when used correctly. Experimental data measured that relate to the consequences of accidental discharge and incendiary potential can also be used to ensure naval applications are safe and effective.

To analyze the system development, manufacturing practices and system evaluation procedures of representative PPES manufacturers, two companies (i.e., one "small", referred to here as "simple manufacturer (SM)", and one "large", referred here as "complex manufacturer (CM)" — in terms of workforce, market presence, and capital) that develop first responder PPES, which voluntarily agreed to participate in the research were chosen. The complex PPES is an Air-Pak, a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) used by first responders for artificial breathing in life-threatening scenarios and the simple PPES is the Fire-Eye device, a thermal sensor that attaches to the visor of the firefighter in order to convey the visual warning of the ambient thermal environment. In order to differentiate the two distinct methodological approaches, the dissertation has been split into two different parts. The first methodology is a "case study" type of empirical investigation which follows a triangulation approach utilizing surveys, structured interviews, process and system observations, and examination of archival records. The second type of methodology is an experimental empirical research one, which involves laboratory-scale and full-scale real-life fire scenarios to conduct product evaluation. The research goals of the case study research were to identify the problems faced by the manufacturers of PPES and to formulate guidelines with regards to manufacturing, compliance, design and development processes, etc., for the PPES manufacturers. The investigation sought answer to the following key questions: a) How do PPES manufacturers currently approach the systems design and development process and what best practices in manufacturing and quality control have they adopted? b) What human factors and ergonomic measures are adopted by these companies while designing their products and what human testing is conducted by companies? c)What safety measures are considered by the safety designer while designing the product? The recommendations also include modifications to the product design process taking into account the market trends in the product design processes, involvement of ergonomics and safety aspects. The research goals for the experimental part of this dissertation were to identify appropriate evaluation methods and conduct the PPES evaluation in simulated fire environments. The Fire-Eye device primarily functions in hot environments and warns the firefighters of the ambient temperature. Therefore, the laboratory-scale evaluation was conducted using test methods such as the Static Oven, Fire Equipment Evaluator, and Radiant Panel, methods which represent controlled environment test conditions. The Fire-Eye device was also evaluated in realistic fire environment created in an ISO burn room by conducting several tests using different types of fuels such as Heptane, Natural Gas, and Living-room set-up (i.e., furniture as fuel). The Fire-Eye device was tested for repeatability and reproducibility of its performance in both of the experimental settings. Statistical data analysis was conducted to determine any differences in performance of the Fire-Eye device among each laboratory-scale methods as well as to compare the performance of the device between laboratory-scale and full-scale fire environments in identical heat locations. The results suggest that a dual approach (laboratory-scale and full-scale fire environment) for evaluating the performance of PPES is more effective than is testing the device in either one of the methods. / Ph. D.

Fires in buildings ranging in size from small residential houses to large office buildings and sports stadiums pose significant threats to human safety. Many advances have been made in the area of fire behaviour modeling and have lead to much safer, and more efficient fire protection engineering designs, saving countless lives. Fire, however, is still a difficult phenomenon to accurately model and the most important quantity used to describe a fire is the heat (energy) release rate (HRR). Predictions of the fire hazard posed by mattresses, using relatively simple modeling techniques, were investigated in this research work and compared to full-scale experimental results. Specifically, several common methods of predicting the HRR from a mattress fire were examined. Current spatial separation guidelines, which exist in order to mitigate fire spread between buildings, were used to predict radiation heat flux levels emitted by a burning building and compared to experimental results measured in the field. Enclosure ceiling temperatures, predicted using the Alpert temperature correlation, and average hot gas layer temperature predictions were also compared to experimental results. Results from this work indicate that the t-squared fire heat release rate modeling technique combined with the common Alpert ceiling temperature correlation, provide a reasonable prediction of real-life fire temperatures as results within 30% were obtained. The cone calorimeter was also found to be a useful tool in the prediction of full-scale fire behaviour and the guidelines used for spatial separation calculations were found to predict the radiant heat flux emitted by a burning building reasonably well.

Fires in buildings ranging in size from small residential houses to large office buildings and sports stadiums pose significant threats to human safety. Many advances have been made in the area of fire behaviour modeling and have lead to much safer, and more efficient fire protection engineering designs, saving countless lives. Fire, however, is still a difficult phenomenon to accurately model and the most important quantity used to describe a fire is the heat (energy) release rate (HRR). Predictions of the fire hazard posed by mattresses, using relatively simple modeling techniques, were investigated in this research work and compared to full-scale experimental results. Specifically, several common methods of predicting the HRR from a mattress fire were examined. Current spatial separation guidelines, which exist in order to mitigate fire spread between buildings, were used to predict radiation heat flux levels emitted by a burning building and compared to experimental results measured in the field. Enclosure ceiling temperatures, predicted using the Alpert temperature correlation, and average hot gas layer temperature predictions were also compared to experimental results. Results from this work indicate that the t-squared fire heat release rate modeling technique combined with the common Alpert ceiling temperature correlation, provide a reasonable prediction of real-life fire temperatures as results within 30% were obtained. The cone calorimeter was also found to be a useful tool in the prediction of full-scale fire behaviour and the guidelines used for spatial separation calculations were found to predict the radiant heat flux emitted by a burning building reasonably well.