Proposal for Next Generation Fire Attack Hose: Phase I
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Proposal for Next Generation Fire Attack Hose: Phase I Summary Our motivation is to prevent injury and/or death of firefighters from the catastrophic failure of fire attack hose during fire-fighting operations. The goal of this initial project is to lay the groundwork for the future production and widespread adaption by the fire service of a fire proof attack hose. This initial study is funded by the Last Call Foundation and conducted in memory of fire- fighter Michael Kennedy, who was killed in the line-of-duty and was carrying a fire attack hose that burnt through during firefighting operations. This project analyzes, synthesizes, and documents the current state-of-the-art in fire hose manufacturing, materials currently used, applicable codes, standards, and approvals processes in the US, and most importantly the functionality requirements of the fire service. Photo credit: Boston Globe This in-depth research will be conducted in Start Date: collaboration with all major stakeholders November 1, 2014 including; representatives of various fire fighter End Date: groups, NFPA, NIOSH, the fire hose July 31, 2015 manufacturers, material scientists, and a combination of chemical, civil, mechanical, and fire protection engineers. Lead Organizational Unit: WPI Fire Protection Engineering Research by two distinct WPI teams will be followed with a stakeholder’s workshop to be held Source of Extramural Funding: at and facilitated by WPI. The result of this phase of the research is finalization of a small group of Last Call Foundation in Honor of Firefighter new materials and/or combinations of materials to Michael Kennedy be evaluated for their potential use in the construction of a fire attack hose. These materials Co-PI’s will be evaluated quantatively in the WPI fire lab Kathy Notarianni – Associate Professor and and their fire properties will be compared to those Raymond Ranellone – Research Engineer, FPE of materials used in today’s fire attack hoses. The final products of this study are the creation of Research Staff a pathway for the development of a fire resistant Civil/Materials Professor hose and the creation of a tightly connected and 4-5 IQP Students (Civil, Mechanical, Chemical) motivated group of stakeholders necessary to 4-5 MQP Students (Chemical, Materials) enable its realization. Randy Harris, FPE Lab Manager Background: History of Fire Hose The Boston Fire Department was established in 1678 as the nation’s first paid and publicly-funded organized department in the country. Their 335- year history is woven with triumph and tragedy. When the Boston Fire Department was formed, fire hose was not yet in widespread usage and water was delivered to the fire via bucket brigade. Early fire hose (late 1670’s) were 50-foot lengths of leather tubes sewn together the way shoemakers made boots. Sewn leather hoses often leaked badly and burst under pressure. In 1807, fire hose was revolutionized by the development of a way to rivet leather strips together. The riveted hoses were 40 to 50 feet in length, had metal couplings, and were nearly leak-proof. They weighed about 85 pounds. Buckets once used by Boston Fire’s Bucket Leather hose required heavy maintenance, it was Brigade – photo courtesy of Boston Fire Museum necessary to wash, dry, and oil it. In 1821, James Boyd patented his invention for rubber-lined, cotton-webbed fire hose. Charles Goodyear discovered the vulcanization process for rubber in 1839. B. F. Goodrich developed rubber hose reinforced with cotton ply. The Cincinnati Fire Department used this improved hose in 1871. Five years later in 1878, the American Fire Hose Manufacturing Company, located in Chelsea, Massachusetts marketed their new product, the “first seamless cotton fire hose produced for steam fire engines.” Other companies improved hose as well. In a short time fire hose could handle 350 psi. Progress continued and woven cotton became the standard for fire hose. As better 1670’s rivited leather hose – photo courtesy of New weaves were developed the hose became stronger. York Fire Museum In this modern age fire hose is lightweight, durable and flexible – but not fire resistant. This invaluable tool for firefighting has undergone dramatic changes over the centuries. Will fire fighters have a fire resistant hose soon? References: Ditzel, Paul C. Fire Engines, Firefighters: the Men, Equipment, and Machines, from Colonial Days to the Present. New York: Crown, 1976. Hashagen, Paul. “The Development of Fire Hose.” Firehouse Magazine: September 1998. Smith, Dennis. Dennis Smith’s History of Firefighting Modern Attack Line Fire Hose by ARMORED in America: 300 years. New York: Dial, 1978 TEXTILES Project Goals Fire Hose Manufacturing Process The goal of this initial project is to lay the groundwork for the future production and widespread adaption by the fire service of a fire proof attack hose. Project Specific Objectives There are six objectives of this initial fire hose attack study. Each objective is key to designing and developing a fire resistant attack hose and/or to facilitating its acceptance and widespread usage. 1. Investigate and document current manufacturing process and materials used 2. Identify and document all codes and standards applicable to attack line fire hose in the US and abroad 3. Determine the functionality requirements of the Fire Service and translate these to metrics by which to evaluate hoses 4. Evaluate the approval process for fire attack hoses, and map to fire service functionality requirements. 5. Identify materials appropriate for “next- generation” fire hoses 6. Generate quantative data on fire performance of each material and compare to fire performance of current fire hose Research Plan ISO 5660 THE CONE CALORIMETER TEST 1. Form two WPI project teams, one focused on materials, manufacturing, and The Cone Calorimeter test is at present the most performance when exposed to fire (MMP) advanced method for assessing materials and one focused on standards, functionality reaction to fire. The method follows the for the fire service and approvals (SFA). procedure given in international standard ISO Notarianni and Ranellone will lead both 5660-1(E). The test evaluates: research teams along with contributions from many other fields of expertise. 1. Ignitability 2. Combustibility 2. Materials, Manufacturing, and Fire 3. Smoke production Performance group Research to 4. Production of toxic gases determine and document: 2a. The lead manufacturers of fire attack hose and their percent market share. 2b. The types of hoses currently produced and the materials used. 2c. The price point for each type of hose. 2d. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of hose (as the manufacturer sees it and as the team sees it). 2e. The detailed manufacturing processes by which fire attack hose if produced (may require a visit to a manufacturing plant). 3. Standards, Functionality, and Approvals group Research to determine and document: Test Principle The surface of the 100 mm x 100 mm (+0-5 mm) 3a. All codes and standards applicable to test specimen is exposed to a constant level of heat fire attack hose 2 irradiance, within the range 0-100 kW/m , from a 3b. A summary of key code requirements conical heater. Volatile gases from the heated specimen are ignited by an electrical spark igniter. 3c. New trends in C&S, NIOSH, NFPA, Combustion gases are collected by an exhaust ASTM, and others hood for further analysis. This gas analysis makes 3d. A list of functionality requirements it possible to calculate heat release rate and to determined from codes and standards assess production of toxic gases from the specimen. Smoke production is assessed by 3e. A list of functionality requirements from measuring attenuation of a laser beam by smoke in interviews with the fire service the exhaust duct. The attenuation relates to volume flow, resulting in a measure of smoke density 2 called smoke extinction area [m /s]. The specimen is mounted on a load cell which records the mass loss rate of the specimen during combustion. 4. Host a Progress Review Meeting at Test Report WPI with the Co-PI’s, all research staff, and members of the Last Call Foundation. The test report contains information about dimensions, pretreatment and conditioning of the 4a. Meeting to take place approximately test specimens, and information about the test three months into the nine month conditions. The following test results are project. tabulated: 4b. Verbal and Visual Report from each research team on tasks 2 and 3 above. Time to ignition [s] Total heat released [MJ/m2] 4c. Status, Next Steps, and Timeline Report Maximum heat release rate [kW/m2] from the Principal Investigators. Average heat release rate after 180 s and 2 4d. Discussion of project status and future after 300 s [kW/m ] direction with the Last Call Foundation. Effective heat of combustion [MJ/kg] Average smoke production [m2/s] 4e. Discussion of functionality requirements Production of CO (carbon monoxide) [g] with select representatives of the fire service. The following results are given graphically for each of the applied irradiation levels: 5. Materials, Manufacturing, and Fire Performance Group to Focus on new Heat release rate [kW/m2] materials and combinations of Rate of smoke production [m2/s] materials. Rate of production of CO and HCN [g/s] 5a. Create a database of materials used in Specimen mass as a function of time [g/s] other high temperature environments 2 such as: industry, the military, and The unit m is related to specimen area. other fire-fighting products. 5b. Convert list of functionality requirements to a list of measurable material properties for initial evaluation of suitability (material screening). 5c. Eliminate unsuitable materials using Multi-attribute Decision Making 5d. Collect Property Data on Remaining Material Candidates 6. Standards, Functionality, and Approvals Group to Look Internationally at Fire Hose Construction: ASTM E1354 - 14 Standard Test Method for 6a.