Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

Dry powders are often stored where they may be subjected to vibrations, such as in buildings where there is heavy machinery, and on vehicles or ships. It is possible that certain amplitudes and frequencies of vibration can cause consolidation or "packing" of the powder which in turn will have an adverse effect on the discharge of the extinguisher when it comes to be used. A review of the levels of vibrations likely to be encountered in various locations has been made, in order to provide information for use when designing experiments to investigate the "packing" of powders by vibrations.