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NBS TECHNICAL NOTE 836

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE/ National Bureau of Standards

Detector Actuated

Automatic Sprinkler SystemsA Preliminary Evaluation
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

The National Bureau of Standards 1 was established by an act of Congress March 3, 1901. The Bureau's overall goal is. to strengthen and advance the Nation's science and technology

and facilitate their effective application for public benefit. To this end, the Bureau conducts

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* Part of the Center for Building Technology.
Bureau of >**^ •:" I P 1974

Detector Actuated Automatic

Sprinkler Systems-A Preliminary Evaluation

Richard L. P. Custer

Fire Technology Branch

Programmatic Center for Fire Research

Institute for Applied Technology

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D.C. 20234

t.-rTecVwwtoS r\oke- no . %£>(=>

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Frederick B. Dent, Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Richard W. Roberts, D/recfor

Issued July 1974
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 74-600095

National Bureau of Standards Technical Note 836

Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Tech. Note 836, 27 pages (July 1974)

CODEN: NBTNAE

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON: 1974

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 (Order by SD Catalog No. 03.46:836). Price 65 cents.
CONTENTS

Page

1

INTRODUCTION 1

2

PURPOSE 2

3. DESCRIPTION OF TEST SYSTEM 2

3.1 Detectors 2

3 . 2 Sprinkler Actuation Device 3

3.3 Sprinkler System 3

3.4 Reliability of Test System Components 3

4. TEST PROGRAM 4

4.1 Description of Test Room 4

4 .Ins trumentation 4

4.3 Test Fires 4

5. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS 5

5 .

Detector Actuated Sprinkler 5 5.2 Multiple Detector Test 6

5 .

Automatic Sprinkler Head Tes t 6

6

SUMMARY 6

7

TENTATIVE DESIGN CRITERIA 7

8REFERENCES 9

ill

DETECTOR ACTUATED AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM - A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION

Richard L. P. Custer

Fire Technology Division

An investigation was conducted to evaluate the capabilities

of a detector actuated automatic sprinkler system to protect

individuals who are intimately associated with the first materials

ignited such as bedding materials. Tests were conducted in a simulated nursing home bedroom. System response was evaluated

for both smoldering and open flaming ignition sources. It was determined that barring electrical or mechanical failure the

system could be nearly 100 percent effective with smoldering

fires. The effectiveness with open flaming fires was difficult

to evaluate. Although these fires were extinguished with minimum

damage in times as short as 36 seconds the possible effects of

flammable blankets and sleepwear were not tested. It was estimated that perhaps one third of the potential victims of open

flaming fires might be saved. Although these tests were limited

in scope, some tentative design criteria for detector actuated

sprinkler systems are presented and possible alternatives offered.

Key words: Bedding fires; design criteria; detector actuated

automatic sprinklers; detectors; levels of protection; life

safety; sprinklers.

1 . INTRODUCTION

In the last few years the United States has experienced an increasing

number of fires in nursing home occupancies involving injuries and loss of

life. This has given rise to considerable interest at both the Federal

and local levels in improving the fire protection for these occupancies.

In order to define the extent to which fire protection systems can provide

life safety, three levels of protection have been proposed [1], Level 1

would protect the occupant of a room when intimately associated with the

fire at its point of origin. This would include patients involved in

bedding or clothing fires and would require rapid detection and suppression capabilities in order to save the life. Level 2 protection would

safeguard other occupants of the room who might be in danger as the fire

begins to spread beyond the first objects ignited. Level 3 Protection

would be directed towards confining the fire to the room of origin such

that other occupants in the building would not be endangered. Level 3

protection assumes that the maximum loss of life sustained from a fire

would consist of the occupants of the room of origin. The analysis which

follows is based on state-of-the-art fire protection engineering practice

and a series of full-scale fire tests using commercially available equipment to evaluate the possibility of providing Level 1 protection in a simulated nursing home bedroom.

Although a complete automatic sprinkler system can be effective in

confining a fire to its room of origin, data obtained in a 35-month

period by the Oregon State Fire Marshal's office [2] showed that of
13 fatalities covered by the survey, nine took place in fully sprinklered buildings. In two instances the fires were extinguished by the

sprinkler heads. In one case, however, the patient died and in the

second case the patient sustained serious burns and was removed by

nursing home personnel prior to the operation of the sprinkler head.

There was no sprinkler operation in the other 7 cases . In evaluating

the circumstances surrounding the 13 fatalities, it was determined that

in 11 cases open flames from either matches or cigarette lighters were

responsible for the ignition. In one case the time between ignition and

discovery was estimated to be less than 5 minutes and it is possible that

this fire may also have been the result of an open flame ignition. The

last case was definitely of smoldering origin.

Data obtained from the Flammable Fabrics Accident Case and Testing

System (FFACTS) maintained by the Office of Information and Hazard

Analysis at the National Bureau of Standards indicate that approximately

55% of the bedding fires contained in the data base were initiated by

open flame ignition sources. Although FFACTS is not a statistical data

base, it contains over 3,000 cases and can provide an indication of trends,

Thus it would appear that in order to provide Level 1 protection, a fire

suppression system must be capable of responding quickly with detection

and suppression capabilities to rapidly developing fires from open flame

ignition sources.

2 . PURPOSE

The purpose of this test series was to evaluate the effectiveness of

a combination detection-suppression system in providing both early warning

and suppression capabilities when exposed to fires initiated in bedding

by both smoldering and flaming ignition sources. In addition to system

effectiveness, the problem of false alarms presently associated with

existing smoke detection hardware was also considered. Finally an attempt

has been made to provide tentative design requirements, based on engineering judgement and the data available from these tests for the use of

detector-actuated, automatic sprinkler systems in nursing homes and caretype facilities.

3. DESCRIPTION OF TEST SYSTEM

The system evaluated by these tests consists of a smoke detector

connected to a thermal actuating device. This device is attached to an ordinary sprinkler head. Upon detection of smoke, the thermal actuating

device is fired heating and releasing the operating elements of the

sprinkler head. Water is then discharged on the fire. The time required

from detection to operation of a standard 135°F sprinkler head ranges

from 3 to 5 seconds.

3.1 Detectors

Two different types of smoke detectors were used in this test series.

One operated on the ionization principle and the other on a light scattering principle. Work presently in progress at the National Bureau of
Standards indicates that the housing surrounding the operating elements

of the smoke detector can have a considerable effect on the ability of

that detector to respond to slowly moving smoke. Candidate detectors

were evaluated by placing them in a test box and exposing them to smoke

laden air at velocities of 15, 30, 50 and 100 feet per minute (7.6, 15.2,

25. A and 50.8 cm sec

-

-*-). The rate of smoke development in the box, in

terms of light obscuration, was approximately 1 percent per foot per

minute (0.014 ODrrT-'-min --'-). ^1' Both detectors used in this test series have

good response characteristics when exposed to slowly moving smoke. The

velocity profiles for these units are shown in Figure 1. The detectors

were tested before and after the fire tests and no changes in velocity

profiles were noted.

3.2 Sprinkler Actuation Device

The commercially secured thermal actuating devices consisted of a small metal cylinder containing a solid fuel and an igniter wire. These

devices are mounted directly on the sprinkler head. The flame discharge

end of the actuating device is oriented such that the flame will impinge

on the operating elements of the sprinkler head. The thermal actuators

were fired using a smoke detector as a switch to energize the ignitor

wire from an appropriate power supply. One actuator tested is currently

available and the other is a prototype not yet on the market.

3.3 Sprinkler System

The automatic sprinkler system used for these tests was designed to

provide a discharge density of 0.1 gallons per minute per square foot as required by the National Fire Protection Association Standard 13 [3] for

Light Hazard Occupancies. Standard pendant heads of ordinary temperature

classification (135°F [57°C]) were used throughout all test of the system.

Figure 2 shows the arrangement of the system components.

3.4 Reliability of Test System Components

Although single samples of each detector were used, these devices have

been tested and approved by recognized testing laboratories according to

standard test methods [4,5]. In the testing procedures, many samples of

each item are evaluated under normal and adverse conditions. The units

used are stock items and are presently available commercially. In addition, each detector was checked at NBS before and after use in the tests

and found to operate within the acceptable tolerances. All detectors re- gardless of manufacturer are subjected to the same tests prior to approval.

All automatic sprinkler heads unless indicated as prototypes have been

listed by Underwriters' Laboratories [6] and their reliability is not in

question.

The actuating devices have not as yet received approval but have

been submitted to Underwriters' Laboratories for listing. Samples of

these devices were bench tested prior to use in these tests and were

ODm-1

= optical density per metre.
found to operate as designed. No design failures were observed during

the full-scale tests.

4. TEST PROGRAM

. 4.1 Description of Test Room

The tests were conducted in a 10 foot square (3.05 m) test room with

a 9 foot (2.7 m) ceiling. The test room was of noncombustible construction. A plan view of the test room showing the location of the automatic

sprinkler head, the detector, and the bed is given in Figure 3.

4.2 Instrumentation

Temperatures in the room and in the bedding material and smoke levels

in the room were recorded throughout each test. Temperatures were recorded

using 24 gage chromel-alumel thermocouples. Room temperatures were measured with thermocouples located at the ceiling adjacent to the sprinkler

head and at the 5 foot (1.5 m) level adjacent to the bed. An array of seven thermocouples was placed on the bed in the area of ignition in

order to determine the area burned and the temperatures to which a patient might have been exposed had the bed been occupied at the time

of the fire (see Figure 4) . Smoke levels were recorded during the test

using 1.5 foot (0.46 m) projected beam smoke meters. One smoke meter

was located at the ceiling adjacent to the detector to measure the smoke

accumulation in relation to the operation of the smoke detector. A

second smoke meter was hung at the 5 foot (1.5 m) level adjacent to the

bed and recorded the smoke level to which the occupant might have been

exposed upon getting out of bed. Following each test, an estimate of the

size of the damaged area was made. No measurements were made of the toxic

gas concentrations.

4.3 Test Fires

A total of nine tests were conducted in the course of this series.

Five fires were started using a smoldering ignition source and four using

an open flame ignition source. The smoldering ignition source consisted

of a king-sized non-filtered cigarette placed on the bottom sheet and

covered with the top sheet. The open flame ignition source was a non- failsafe cigarette lighter filled with liquid fuel. In order to simulate

an open flame ignition the flaming lighter was dropped from a height of

2 feet (0.61 m) onto crumpled sheets. In all test fires the point of

Ignition was located in the center of the thermocouple array described

above. In all cases, the room door was closed during the test. Ventilation was supplied by natural convection through the view port and two

240 square inch (1548 cm^) openings in the floor.

All test fires were set in bedding materials. The mattresses were

of the single bed size, with cotton ticking and padding. All of the

mattresses were previously used and were obtained from the Veterans

Administration Hospital in Washington, D.C. These mattresses did not

meet the present flammability criteria [7] and have chosen to represent
the worst case conditions.

For each fire the beds were made up using two sheets each composed of

50% cotton and 50% polyester fiber material. This fiber blend was used to

represent typical materials. Presently, only one manufacturer produces

100% cotton sheets and it is expected that this type sheet will be discontinued in the near future. TVo bed configurations were used in these

tests (see Figure 5) . For tests using a smoldering ignition source the

mattress was laid flat on the bed frame. For those tests using an open

flame ignition source the mattress was bent at an angle of 45° from the

horizontal with the ignition area being at the crease of the sheets. yy}

The results of the Level 1 system tests are shown in Table 1.

In addition to the five tests conducted on the detector actuated

sprinkler system, three tests were conducted to evaluate the relative

response times of both detectors to smoldering and flaming fires. Both

the photoelectric and ion-chamber detectors were exposed to the same

fire. The time of operation and the smoke level at the ceiling and

5 feet (1.5 m) above the floor were recorded for each test. Since it was

desired that both detectors operate prior to extinction, each of these

fires was extinguished manually following operation of the second detector,

The results of these tests are shown in Table II.

Finally, one test was run to compare the smoke level and room temperatures at the operating point of five currently available automatic

sprinkler heads and one prototype. Both 135 °F (56.7 °C) and 165 °F

(73.2 °C) heads were used. For this test, as in the test of the detectors

alone, the suppression system was rendered inoperative in order that the

relative times of sprinkler head operation might be obtained. The

results of this test are shown in Table III.

5. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

5.1 Detector Actuated Sprinkler

The results of the five tests of the detector actuated sprinkler

system indicate that the system as tested can detect and respond rapidly

to fires from both smoldering and flaming ignition sources. The maximum

damage sustained from a smoldering ignition source was 314 square inches

(2026 cm^) . This test was conducted with an ion chamber detector and

lasted for 1 hour 13 minutes 55 seconds. At that time the smoke level

in the test room was considered marginally tenable. (2) Smoke concentration at the 5 foot (1.5 m) level in this test was 7.8 percent per foot

(0.11 ODm-1

) and 11.3 percent per foot (0.16 ODm-1

) at the ceiling.

For fires initiated with an open flame ignition source the largest area

damaged was 200 square inches (1290 cm^) . This fire was detected and

extinguished at 1 minute and 45 seconds. Photographs of typical burn

damage following actuation of the system are shown in Figures 6 and 7.

(1) This orientation was chosen to simulate the effects of a person

sitting in bed or a raised hospital type bed.

(2) Watanabe [8] suggests 9.2 percent per foot (0.13 ODm-1 at the

ceiling for those persons familiar with their surroundings.
5.2 Multiple Detector Test

The results of the multiple detector tests indicate an advantage of

the photoelectric detector over the ionization detector when exposed to

smoldering fire. In one test with a smoldering fire, the photoelectric

detector was 16 minutes 55 seconds faster. The difference in operating

times between the two types of detectors was nearly as large in the case

of the flaming ignition source. In the flaming ignition test, the ionchamber detector responded 8 seconds ahead of the photoelectric detector.

5.3 Automatic Sprinkler Head Test

A test of the operating times of the six sprinkler heads exposed to an open flaming fire with the bed in the 45° configuration showed the

fastest operating time to be 2 minutes 30 seconds. This was achieved

with the prototype low thermal lag 135 °F (56.7 °C) sprinkler head. The

next fastest was a center strut 135°F (56.7 °C) with heat collectors.

This head operated in 2 minutes 52 seconds. This was followed by an onoff sprinkler head rated at 165 °F which operated at 3 minutes 1 second.

The last head to operate was a glass bulb type in 3 minutes 45 seconds.

Although the smoke level both at the ceiling and 5 feet (1.5 m) above the

floor were within tolerable limits at the operating point of each of the

sprinkler heads, temperatures at the head of the bed were well beyond

tolerable limits and it is likely that any person occupying the bed

under these conditions would have been severely burned.

The time- temperature curve and smoke development at the ceiling are shown in Figures 8 and 9. It can be noted that had the Level 1 system

been operational during this fire, with the smoke detector alarming at an obscuration of 2% per foot (0.085 0Dm~l) the fire would have been

arrested in approximately 40 seconds (see Figure 9) . At that point the

temperature in the immediate area of ignition was approximately 900 °F

481.7 °C) while the temperature at the head of the bed was close to

100 °F (37.7 °C). It can also be seen from Figure 8 that at 150 seconds,

the operating time of the fastest sprinkler head, the temperature measured

at the head of the bed had exceeded 1500 °F (814.7 °C)

6. SUMMARY

As a result of this preliminary investigation, the following tentative conclusions have been reached:

1. The system as tested, although probably not capable of

giving complete Level 1 protection, can provide a higher

degree of protection than sprinklers alone. In those cases where the fire is initiated by a smoldering ignition

source, it is likely that nearly 100% of those persons

exposed to such a fire could be saved. The life saving

potential of this sytem for fires initiated by flaming

ignition sources is much more time-critical, and therefore more difficult to evaluate. Factors such as blanket, sheet, and sleep-wear flammability need to
be evaluated with instrumented mannequins before firm

conclusions can be reached. Based on the extent of

damaged area it is estimated that perhaps one-third of

the victims of fires originating with open flaming ignition might be saved using the system as tested. It

should be noted that even those persons saved may suffer

severe thermal trauma. Based on the Oregon data previously cited this could result in a combined reduction of

approximately 40% in single fatalities from both fire

types. It must also be considered that in addition to

providing some degree of Level 1 protection this system

also provides Level 2 and Level 3 protection. Its use

then could result in a decrease in the number of multiple

deaths both within and beyond the room of origin.

2. False alarms with smoke detectors are often a problem

under ordinary circumstances, but when this detector is

connected to a device which automatically releases water

into an area occupied by sick or elderly persons, the

false alarm problem is greatly magnified. Although little

data exist concerning this problem, a British study [9]

indicates smoke detectors have a false alarm to real fire

ratio of 14 to 1. About 25 percent of these false signals

are related to ambient conditions such as smoking, cooking,

or other sources of smoke not related to a hostile fire.

Although much of the British data comes from non-institutional occupancies, even reduction to a false alarm ratio

of 5 to 1 for burning homes would be intolerable. It is

not -difficult to imagine a false alarm occurring when

two patients each having two visitors and all four smoking

in the same room.

Although the use of a photoelectric detector might reduce

the false alarm problem, it is difficult to predict the

exact degree to which the problem will be alleviated.

Even a two-thirds reduction to the published figures from

Great Britain may not be sufficient. In the opinion of

the author, a maximum false alarm ratio of 1 to 1 would

be desirable for detectors used in these systems. Raising

the alarm threshold, electronically instituting a predetermined delay in operation, or manual actuation of the

sprinkler head following a pre-signal from the smoke detector could reduce the number of false alarms. But any

delay in the system would greatly reduce the Level 1

effectiveness for open flame ignition fires.

3. These test results suggest that a photoelectric detector

may be the most appropriate triggering device for these

systems to be used in nursing homes and care-type occupancies

Although the photoelectric detector was slightly slower to

respond to the open flaming fire than the ionization

detector, there is an advantage to the use of photoelectric
detectors. A photoelectric detector using an incandescent

light source will not be nearly as sensitive as an ion

chamber detector to cigarette smoke, since that detector

responds best to particles greater than 0.3 micrometres.

The ion chamber detector is particularly sensitive to smoke

particles in the 0.01 to 0.1 micrometre range. The particle

size distribution in cigarette smoke falls largely within

this range, thus making the ionization detector more sensitive to this source of false alarm.

4. Automatic sprinklers alone cannot provide Level 1 protection. Sprinkler heads alone, however, can provide Level 2 protection against fires initiating from open flame ignition

sources. Sprinklers cannot however, provide adequate

Level 2 protection from smoldering fires. Work by Hafer

and Yuill [10] indicates that it can take up to nearly

4 hours for a smoldering mattress to produce sufficient

heat at the ceiling to operate a sprinkler heat. At this

point smoke and toxic gas are at lethal levels.

5. The use of separate smoke detection and sprinkler systems in

the same room can provide partial Level 1 protection by detection of smoke from smoldering fires, complete Level 2 and Level 3 protection.

6. Based on present price figures it is estimated that the

Level 1 Protection system as tested above would cost

between $300 and $800 per bed: depending on the system

design and whether the system is installed in new con- struction or is being retro-fitted to an existing

building. Such a system fitted to an existing facility

with 50 beds could cost $40,000. One possible approach

to cost reduction would be to provide Level 1 protection

in only one area of a facility and use that area to house

persons who might be considered smoking risks. Reduction

in patient risk from open flaming fires may also be achieved

through use of bedding and sleepwear made of fabrics which

are either treated to achieve fire retardant properties or made from fibers which are inherently fire resistant.

7. TENTATIVE DESIGN CRITERIA

The following tentative design criteria are based on the results of

this test series and reflect the performance of the system as tested:

1. To provide the level of protection described in these

tests any smoke detector chosen to actuate the sprinkler

system must have good response characteristics to slowly

moving smoke. It is suggested that the detector be

capable of responding to minimum smoke obscuration level

not exceeding 2% per foot (0.85 ODm-1

) at a velocity of

15 feet per minute (7.62 cm sec~^) . Although these

8
performance data are not presently being obtained for

detectors in commercial listing and approval procedures,

a test method and the test apparatus are being developed

at the National Bureau of Standards.

2. Placement of detectors is critical in achieving maximum

system effectiveness. Consideration of ambient room

air flow patterns is necessary in establishing

locations for detectors for minimum response time.

Although alternate detector sites were not evaluated

in these tests, it is suggested that the detector

should be placed on the ceiling above or between beds on

a line approximately 3 feet (0.9 m) from the head of the

bed. This places the detector over or adjacent to the

part of bed where flaming ignition is likely to provide

the most serious exposure to the occupant.

Spacing of detectors should not exceed 10 feet. Increased

coverage may cause delays in detection with a resulting

reduction in system effectiveness with open flaming fires.

8 . REFERENCES

[1] Willenbrock, F. Karl, Testimony Before a Subcommittee of the House

Committee on Government Operations—Problems of the Aging (Part 5),

pp 1541-1561, April 8, 1972.

[2] Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office, Study of 14 Casualties in

Nursing and Convalescent Homes November 1969 to October 1972,

Office of State Fire Marshal, Salem, Oregon, October 1972.

[3] Installation of Automatic Sprinklers-1973, NFPA No. 13, National

Fire Protection Association, Boston, Massachusetts, 1973.

[4] Underwriters' Laboratories 167, Standard for Smoke Detectors,

Combustion Products Type, Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc.,

Northbrook, Illinois.

[5] Private Communication, Joseph Petkunas , Pyrotector, Incorporated,

April 19, 1974.

[6] U.L. 199, Automatic Sprinklers for Fire Protection Service,

Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., Northbrook, Illinois.

[7] DOC FF 4-72, Flammability Standard for Mattresses.

[8] Watanabe, A., Testing Methods of Fire Detectors in Buildings,

Symposium on Automatic Fire Detection, London, March 1972.

[9] Automatic Fire Detection: Flase Alarms, Fire Protection Association

Journal, No. 88, p. 146, October 1970.
[10] Hafer, C. A. and Yuill, C. H., Characterization of Bedding and

Upholstery Fires, Final Report, NBS Contract No. CST-792-5-69,

Southwest Research Institute, March 31, 1970.

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17
HEAD OF

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SMOLDERING FIRE

HEAD OF

BED POINT OF FIRE ORIGIN

OPEN FLAMING FIRE

Figure 5. Bed configurations.

18
"*"***<».,»

\

I

Figure 6. Smoldering fire suppressed at 22 minutes 46 seconds.

19
Figure 7. Flaming fire suppressed at 1 minute 45 seconds

20
1400-1

1200-

1--TEMP AT HEAD

\ OF BED

AV6 CEILING TEMP

I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 50 100 150 200 250

TIME (SECONDS)

Figure 8. Sprinkler operation test: temperature levels.

21
I O.O-i

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m

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Figure 9. Sprinkler operation test: smoke levels.

22
N6S-1 Ma ,r.tv. 7-73)

U.S. DEPT. OF COMM. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET

1. PUBLICATION OR REPORT NO. NBS TN-836

2. Gov't Accession

No.

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

Detector Actuated Automatic Sprinkler System - A Preliminary

Evaluation

3. Recipient's Accession Nc

5. Publication Dat< July 1974

6. Performing Organization ( ode 490-6196

7. AUTHOR(S)

Richard L. P. Custer

8. Performing Organ. Report Ni

9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

10. Project/Task/Work Unit No.

11. Contract/Grant No.

12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Complete Address (Street, City, State, ZIP)

Same as no. 9

13. Type of Report & Period Covered Final Jan. -Feb. 1974

14. Sponsoring Agency Codi

15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

Library of Congress Catalog Number: 74-600095

16. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less {actual summary ot most significant information. It document includes a significant

bibliography or literature survey, mention it here.) An investigation was conducted to evaluate the capabilities of a detector actuated

automatic sprinkler system to protect individuals who are intimately associated

with the first materials ignited such as bedding materials. Tests were conducted

in a simulated nursing home bedroom. System response was evaluated for both

smoldering and open flaming ignition sources. It was determined that barring

electrical or mechanical failure the system could be nearly 100 percent effective

with smoldering fires. The effectiveness with open flaming fires was difficult

to evaluate. Although these fires were extinguished with minimum damage in times

as short as 36 seconds the possible effects of flammable blankets and sleepwear

were not tested. It was estimated that perhaps one third of the potential victims

of open flaming fires might be saved. Although these tests were limited in scope,

some tentative design criteria for detector actuated sprinkler systems are presented

and possible alternatives offered.

7. KEY WORDS (six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only the first letter of the first key word unless a proper name; separated by semicolons)

Bedding fires; design criteria; detector actuated automatic sprinklers; detectors;

levels of protection; life safety; sprinklers.

18. AVAILABILITY LX Unlimited

r For Official Distribution. Do Not Release to NTIS

[X_ Order From Sup. of Doc, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402, SD Cat. No. C13/, 5.335

_ Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS)

Springfield, Virginia 22151

19. SECURITY CLASS

(THIS REPORT)

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20. SECURITY CLASS

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UNCLASSIFIED

21. NO. OF PAGES

27

22. Price

65 cents

USo6mM.DC 2904 2-PT

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1974— 543-048:38

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