Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

The performance of single layers of wire gauze as flame arresters has been studied using horizontal ducts, of 6.4 cm. internal diameter, and lengths 237 and 392 cm. The flammable mixtures, containing propane as fuel, were ignited by an electric spark either at the open or at the closed end of the ducts. The quenching of the flame by the gauze was dependent upon the velocity of approach of the flame, and considerably faster flames were obtained than in previous experiments with the same flammable mixtures in a shorter duct. Some theoretical considerations of the quenching are also given.