Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

The mechanisms and effectiveness of water mist, used to extinguish pool fires, were examined in a series experiments conducted in an open space. Fire sources were contained in small-scale circular stainless steel pans of 13 cm and 20 cm diameter, and the fuels used were alcohol and kerosene. Before and after the application of water mist, K-type thermocouples along the pool centerline and an infrared thermography were used to measure and visualize flame temperature. A thermogauge and a turbine flux sensor were used to measure the flame radiant heat flux and the application rate of water, respectively. The experimental results revealed that neither the flames of alcohol or kerosene could be extinguished in most cases when the water mist supply pressures were lower than 0.4 MPa. The distance between the flame and the nozzle, and the application rate of water are the two main factors influencing the effectiveness of the extinction of a pool fire when the working pressure is low. The test results also show that the larger the pool diameter is, the easier the flame can be extinguished.