(1914) Fire Extinguishers for Automobiles

8/9/2019 (1914) Fire Extinguishers for Automobiles

1/116

*^ \A.FIRE

ii

EXTINGUISHERS FOR AUTOMOBILES bM

W. C. GIELOWE. J. HEPP

:moi:r institute oe technology

6] 4. 84


2/116

Uiinois Instituteof Technotogy

UNIVERSITY UBRAREES


3/116

^T 333iGielow, W. C.JFire extinguishers forautomobiles

For Us9 In Library Only


4/116


5/116


6/116

r:n:-':r^-:Ki^


7/116

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS FOR AUTOMOBILES

A THESIS.

Presented "by

W. C. Gielow. E. J. Hepp.

to the

President and Faculty

of

AraiOUR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

FOR THE DEGREE OF

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERING.

Having Completed The prescribed Course of Study inFire Protection Engineering.

^ ^>v 'LL'NOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYJi^Ur^ 1914 PAUL V. GALVIN LIBRARY^^^' 35 WEST 33RD STREETCHICAGO, IL 60616


8/116


9/116

PREFACE.The su'b;ject included in the title of this in-

vestigation is very hroad and in the limited time atour disposal it was impossible to cover the entirerange of extinguishers which may he used on automobilefires. The v/ork was therefore confined to tests v.iththree types of extinguishers on incipient automobilefires and conclusions were drawn up taking into considera-tion the merits or fatdts of each and a comparison oftheir merits was made. The account of the test workis preceded by a short discussion of the causes of auto-mobile fires based chiefly upon information obtainedfrom the publications of the National Fire ProtectionAssociation,

We are indebted to Professor Taylor and }'r. E.J.Smith for the use of apparatus and for valuable suggest-ions made while the work was being carried on and takethis means of ass;iring then of our appreciation.


10/116


11/116

TABLE OF CONTENTS.Page,

OF AUTOMOBILE FIRES 4

WOLVERINE FIRE EXTINGUISHER fDry Powder) 9Description 9Data of Tests 10conclusions 19

ERWIN AUT0MA.TIC CHEFvlICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER - 23Description 23Data of Tests 26Conclusions 29

PYRSNE LIQUID CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER --- 32Description 32Data of Tests 37Conclusions 42

OF THE EXTINGUISHERS 44.


12/116


13/116

-4-CAUSES OF AUTOMOBILE FIEES.

The two factors of importance in a con-sideration of a-utomo'bile fires and their causes,are the materials present, which furnish fuel forthe corahustion, and the source of ignition. Thesetwo factors are considered separately in this in-troductory discussion so as to avoid as far aspossihle, a repetition of each element of one inconnection with the various elements of the other.The comhustihle materials present in an

automobile include parts of the "body and upholster-ing, fuel for power, lighting and heating, and com-"bustihle materials introduced into the car temporarjr-ly.

The tendency of many automobile manufact-urers seems to be to reduce the amount of combusti-ble materials in the body to a minimum. '.Vood isused in electric cars throughout the entire body,but in gasolene cars the use of this material is fre-quently restricted to the floor boards, seats,wheels and for reinforcing sheet metal parts ofthe body such as the doors.

The fuel used for power, both in steamcars and in those propelled by internal combust-ion engines, is generally gasolene, which is veryvolatile at ordinary temperatures, and burnsreadily when ignited. The gasolene supply iskept In a sheet metal tank and exposure of thefuel occiirs when the tank is being filled, thehazard being materially increased if the gasoleneoverflows through the fill opening. The gaso-lene is led from the tank to the carburetergenerally through seamless copper tubing, andmay be exposed by leakage throu^ a defectivejoint in the line. The carbureter is a some-what delicate device which may become derangedso as to permit a constant leakage of the fuel.


14/116


15/116

#5

The lighting systems of automohiles donot furnish very much combustihle material and areof greater importance in providing a source ofignition than in providing inflammahle material.Three types of lighting systems are used on au-tomohil^^acetylene , kerosene and electric. Twosystems are used for supplying the acetylene tothe lamps; in one the automohile carries agenerator, which manxifactures the acetylene asrequired from calciian carhide and water; in theother a tank, containing a fihrous filler andacetaldehyde or acetone, carries the acetylenein solution. In the latter system the acety-lene 1b manufactured at a central station andforced into the tank at a pressure of ahout 250pounds per square inch at 70 degrees Fahrenheit.Neither of these systems presents a very hazard-ous condition, \mder normal conditions, hut afailure of some part may result.^ in the escape ofacetylene which when ignited will give a very hotflame, A fire in other materials of the car maycause a hazardous condition in either system, theformer hy the failure of a ;)oint so as to allowthe Vv'ater and carbide to unite to form acetyleneand the latter hy the fusing of a composition plugInserted at one end of the tank, which will fuseat a temperature of ahout 200 degrees Fahrenheitso as to allow the escape of the acetylene heforethe high temperature causes a dangerous increasein the pressure. Kerosene lamps are used on au-tomohiles, hut as the qua.ntity of fuel is verysmall they do not furnish much fuel for comhustion.Electric lighting systems furnish a negligible sup-ply of comhustihle material.

Heaters consisting of a container withburning charcoal or soft coal briquettes in adrawer, furnish some fuel but are considered moreimportant as a source of ignition than as a pro-vider of material. Portable kerosene stoves arefrequently used as heaters and, if tipped over, soas to spill oil on other inflammable parts of thecar the danger of ignition of those parts is in-creased materially.


16/116


17/116

#6

A common practice in some garages is toclean the engine and other oily parts of the carwith gasolene. The gasolene is discharged in afine Jet from a nozzle connected "by means of ahose with a tank containing the fluid tinder press-lire. The condition presented, with gasolene dis-tributed on the siirface of parts of the car, isvery hazardous and, if ignition occurs, a seriousfire may result.

The sources of ignition of the burningmaterials found in automobiles are very numerousand nay be divided into two classes, the causesof ignition fotmd in the car itself, and those ap-pliances or hazards found in garages which mayoriginate a fire in some of the combustible ma-terial in the car.

The factors which are generally found onautomobiles and which may cause ignition of com-bustible materials are considered first. Thepov/er plant of each type of car presents hazardswhich, both under abnormal and normal conditions,may cause ignition of combustible materials pres-ent. In gasolene cars one of the most commoncauses of fire is ignition of a charge in the in-take manifold while being drawn into one of thecylinders, resulting in the ignition of gasolenein the float chamber of the carbureter, or of anycombustible material near the air inlet port. Theexhaust piping of an automobile becomes very hotwith the engine rtinning and if it is in contactwith, or very close to woodwork the wood may be-come ignited. An unexploded charge is frequent-ly expelled into the exhaust piping and, when thehot gases from the next explosion enter the pip-ing, this charge is ignited, and frequently aflame several inches long, which may ignite anycombustible material underneath the car, issuesthrough the tail pipe of the muffler. In steamcars the most hazardous condition, which may causethe ignition of combustible material, is the flameused to heat the boiler and which is burning con-tinuously while the car is being operated. Inthe event of leakage of ga,solene at a point nearthis flame, ignition might resiilt which would becommunicated very readily to other parts of the


18/116


19/116

#7.

commutator may cause ignition of inflammatlematerial. This danger Is probably of greaterimportance in gasolene than in electric cars forthree reasons; the tendency toward electriclighting, ignition, starting and heating neces-sitated the use of several generators and a motoras well as a storage battery so the number ofpoints at which ignition may occur is increased;the vibration of the engine may result inloosening electrical connections and; gasolene,a fuel with a lov/ ignition temperature is pres-ent.

The lighting systems used on automobilessometimes cause fires. The electric system isprobably the safest as it presents the hazardof sparking only, as noted In the previous para-graph. Acetylene and kerosene lamps presentthe danger due to an open flame and their chiefhazard is the danger of ignition of gasolenevapors. The tanks of automobiles are sometimesfilled with the lamps burning and ignition ofthe gasolene vapors given off has resulted indisastrous fires. Searching for gasolene leakswith one of the kerosene lamps has also res\iltedin ignition of the vapors.Several types of heating systems areused on automobiles v;ith closed bodies. Port-able oil heaters are probably the most hazardous

as they furnish not only a means of ignition butalso contain a quantity of fuel which might bedischarged on the floor boards. Heaters, con-sisting of a sheet metal case, provided with adrawer containing glowing charcoal or soft coalbriquettes, are used quite extensively, and theynay be the cause of fire In the car. The ex-haust from the gasolene engine may, on some cars,be diverted so as to pass through coils to heatthe interior. These coils may cause the igni-tion of parcels or clothing carelessly laid onthem, or of wood used in the construction of thebody and with v/hich they may be in contact.Electric heaters when properly installed and pro-


20/116


21/116

#8.

tected from contact with inflamma'ble materialsare the least hazardous of the types used.

some of the sources of ignition v/hichare not connected with the car, "but are found Ingarages and repair shops and may result in hurn-ing of the car are considered here very briefly.Hazards such as heating and lighting are foundin most garages and they are especially hazard-ous if an open flame is used. incandescentlamps and open arc lights have caused fires ingarages, the former "by "being dropped and expos-ing the red hot filament and the latter bydropping particles of red hot carbon. Oil heat-ers and kerosene lamps are very hazardous. Gaso-lene blow torches and oxy-acetylene welding out-fits are frequently used in repairing automobilesand may cause ignition of gasolene vapors. Vul-canizers especially those using an open flame toproduce the heat, are frequently used and pres-ent some hazard. Oily waste if left undisttirbedfor some time is liable to become ignited spon-taneously and may be considered a source of ig-nition. One of the common causes of fire ingarages is a burning match carelessly throv/n oncombustible materials.


22/116


23/116

,f9.

TEE . WOIVERIITE FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

RESCRIPT ION.-This extinguisher shovm by Figure con-sists essentially of a cylindrical cardboard tubewith tinned sheet metal ends and filled v.'ith avery finely ground powder.The cylindrical tube is made up of twostrips of cardboard which are wound helically oneabove the other and pasted together. A papersheet bearing the printing is pasted on the out-side. The tube is 22 inches long, the outsidediameter 2 inches and the inside diameter 1-7/8inches.The edges of the tinned ends are crimpedover the ends of the cardboards tube. The lowerend is a disk completely closing the tube. Theupper end is in two parts the edge of one in theform of a ring is crimped to the top of thecylinder and is provided with a circular openingfor filling with and discharging the powder, theother is a cover dished to a depth of about l/4inch and a ring, used for supporting the ex-tinguisher is attached to it.The powder is very finely ground, Is dark

grey in color and was found to have the follow-ing composition.Soditon Bi-Carbonate &4:.ofoSodium Carbonate 7.0^Water Insoluble Residue 25.4^2(consisting principally of )(silica powder with a small )(amount of carbon, iron, etc.)Moisture (by difference) Z>,6%


24/116


25/116

#10,

DATA OP TESTSMADE TO DETEmilNE THE EXTINGUISHINGEFFICIENCY OF THE W0L7EEINE DRY POV/DER EXTIDGUISHER,

These tests are ntunbered in the order inwhich they were performed but are arranged infour groups for convaiience in referring to them.

GROUP I.These tests were made for the purpose ofdetermining the ability of thfe extinguisher tocontrol fires starting with a limited quantityof gasolene on the engine and in the mud pan.This condition might be the result of cleaningthe car with gasolene or the gasolene might be

spilled accidentally.CONDITION OT TEST.

A gravity feed gasolene tank was set upwith the bottom 4-1/2 feet above the floor leveland connected by a l/8 inch pipe to a length of1/8 inch hollow wire copper tubing which was ledthrough one of the air passageways in the radiatorand terminated near the carbureter. This arrange-ment was used to discharge gasolene under thehood of the car in a manner similar to that whichmight in practice result from a break in thegasolene line or a defective carbureter allowinga continuous leakage of gasolene. In the testsincluded under the heading Group I the valve con-trolling the flow of gasolene was opened widefor a definite length of time and then closed.Under these conditions the rate of flow of fuelwas about one-half pint per minute. The gasolenewas then ignited with a match and the fire at-tacked by means of a tube of the pomter imme-diately after ignition. The hood, on the car-bureter side was open throughout this series oftests.


26/116


27/116

#11.

Neither the engine nor fan were running Vt?hilethese testa were being made. After each testthe powder was blown, from the engine, carbureterand mud pan, as thoroughly as possible by meansof an air blast which also assisted in evaporat-ing any gasolene remaining.

TEST NO. 1.Duration of gasolene flow 4 minutes. A

small quantity dripping to floor. Tube No. 1was used immediately after ignition. Operatorattacked and checked fire about carbureter andin front part of the mud pan. The fire in themud pan was then attacked from underneath thecar. Extinguisher exhausted, pire was notcontrolled. Weight of powder used: 2 pounds 2.40ozs.

TEST NO. 2.(Repetition of Test No.l.)

Tube No, 2 was used immediately afterignition, operator attacked the fire in thesame way as in Test No. 1 but failed to controlthe fire. Extinguisher exhausted. Weight ofpowder used: 2 pounds 1.77 ounces.

TEST NO. 3.(Repetition of Test No. 1.)Tube No. 3 was used immediately afterignition. The fire was attacked in the sameway as in tests No. 1 and No. 2, but was notcontrolled. Extinguisher exhausted. Weightof powder used: 2 pounds 2.74 ounces.

TEST NO. 5.(Repetition of Test No. 1.)TWO tubes being used. Tube No. 5 wasused immediately after ignition and tube No. 6


28/116


29/116

#12.

when NO. 5 was exhausted. The operator alter-nated his attack on the fire in the front part ofthe mud pan and then on the fire in the "back part.The fire was checked about the engine severaltimes, hut started up each time when the operatorattacked the fire at the rear of the mud pan.Weight of powder used: No. 5,- 2 pounds 3.01 ozs.No. 6,- 2 pounds 3.10 ozs.Total - 4 pounds 6.11 ozs.

GROUP II.The tests in this group were made for thepurpose of determining the ability of this ex-tinguisher to control fires starting after thegasolene line had he come broken or the carbureterderanged so as to leak.

CONDITION OF TESTS .The arrangement of the apparatus includ-ing the automobile, the gravity tank and tubingwas the same as for tests outlined under Group

I, In this series, hov/ever, the gasolene wasallowed to flow, with the valve wide open, throughout each test and vra,s shut off only when the ex-tinguisher used was exhausted or the fire wasput out. The gasolene in all these tests wasallowed to drip on the carbureter and fires ofvarious magnitudes were attacked with the ex-tinguishers, some being confined entirely togasolene on the carbureter and piping and otherswith gasolene on the carbureter, mud pan smdfloor. Neither the engine nor fan v/ere rtm-ning while these tests were being made. Aftereach test the powder was blown from the engine,carbureter and mud pan, as thoroughly as possi-ble by means of an air blast which also assist-ed in evaporating any gasolene remaining.


30/116


31/116

#13.

TEST NO. 4.The gasolene was ignited after flow hadcontinued 60 seconds. Tube Ko. 4 was usedImmediately after ignition. The operator at-tacked the fire about the carbureter and v^henflames were confined to back end of mud pan theattack was transferred to that point.Extinguisher exhausted at 1 minute 15seconds. The flames were not extinguished andthe flowing gasolene re- ignited.Weight of powder used: 2 pounds, 3.92 ozs,

TEST 10. 6.The gasolene was ignited immediately uponstarting flow. Tube Ho. 7 was immediately afterignition. J'lames were confined to carbureterand to a small area of the mud pan. Fire ex-

tinguished in 13 seconds.Weight of powder used: 6.59 ounces.

TEST NO. 7.The gasolene was ignited after flow hadcontinued 30 seconds. Tube ITo. 8 was usedImmediately after ignition. The fire extended

to the back end of the mud pan and was checkedabout the carbureter but the flowing gasolene re-ignited when attack was transferred to back endof pan. The extinguisher was exhausted with-out controlling the fire.Weight of powder used: 2 pounds, 3.12 ozs,

TEST NO. 8.The gasolene was ignited after flov/ hadcontinued 26 seconds. Tube No. 9 was usedimmediately after ignition. The flames were con-


32/116

'^inir'Pi


33/116

ifJ-*

fined to the front part of the mud pan "becauseof the fact that the carhureter and pan werequite hot as a result of the previous test and alarge proportion of the gasolene was vaporized.The fire was extinguished at 51 seconds afterstarting flow.

V/eight of powder used: 2 pounds 5.36 ozs.

TEST WO. 9.The gasolene was ignited after flow hadcontinued 30 seconds. The flow of gasolene wasshut off at the time of ignition and tuhe Ho. 10was used inmed lately. The fire was extinguish-ed at 37 seconds after flow was started.Weight of powder used: 5,20 ounces.

TEST NO. 10.The gasolene was ignited after flow hadcontinued 1 minute 6 seconds.Tube Ho. 11 was used immediately afterignition. The operator attacked the fire aboutthe carbureter and, when checked there, at theback end of the mud pan. The fire was not con-trolled, the extinguisher being exhausted 1minute 50 seconds after starting flow.Weight of powder used: 2 pounds 3.70 ozs.

TEST NO. 11.The gasolene was ignited after flow hadcontinued 20 seconds. Tube No. 1 was usedimmediately after ignition. Owing to the factthat the quantity of gasolene v/hich had been

discharged was small the fire was confined tothe carbureter and the front part of the mud panand was extinguished 26 seconds after startingthe flow.


34/116


35/116

#15.

Weight of powier used: 5.56 ounces.

TEST EO. 12.The gasolene was ignited after flow hadcontinued 60 seconds. Tuhe IIo. 2 was usedimmediately after ignition. The fire extendedfrom the gasolene about the carbureter to thatwhich had dripped on the floor. The fire aboutthe carbureter was attacked and when checked at

this point the operator applied the powder to thefire at the back end of the mud pan and on thefloor. The flames flashed back to the gaso-lene flowing on the carbtireter and the ex-tinguisher was exhausted 1 minute, 23 secondsafter starting flov/, without controlling thefire.Weight of powder used: 2 pounds 2.73 ozs.

TEST NO. 13.iRepetition of Test No. 12)Tube Ho. 3 was used. Fire extended oversame area. Extinguisher exhausted 1 minute 23seconds after starting flow of gasolene. Firenot controlled.Weight of powder used: 2 pounds 3.50 ozs.

TEST NO. 15.The gasolene was ignited after flow hadcontinued 45 seconds.Tube No. 5 was used immediately afterignition. The fire was confined to the gaso-lene on the carbureter and in the mud pan. The

fire about the carbureter was checked but theflowing gasolene re- Ignited when the fire at theback end of the mud pan was attacked. The ex-


36/116


37/116

jr--^

tinguisher was exhs-usted 1 minute 4 secondsafter flow was started. The fire was not con-trolled.

Weight of powder used: 2 pounds 3.19 ozs.

TEST UO. 16.(Repetition of Test Ho. 15.)Tuhe ITo. 6 was used immediately after

ignition. The fire was of the same magnitudeas in Test Ko. 15 and was not controlled. Theextinguisher was exhausted 1 minute 9 secondsafter starting flow.Weight of powder used: 2 poxinds 3.03 ozs.

TEST NO. 17.The gasolene was ignited after flow hadcontinued 30 seconds. Tuhe TTo. 7 was used 48seconds after flow was started. The fire v/asconfined to the gasolene in the mud pan andahout the carbureter. The extinguisher was ex-hausted at 1 minute 4 seconds, the fire not

"being controlled.Weight of powder used: 2 pounds 3.73 ozs.

TEST NO. 18.The gasolene was ignited after flow hadcontinued 30 seconds. Tuhe Ko. 8 was used 40seconds after starting flow. The fire wasconfined to gasolene on the carbureter and inthe mud pan. The extinguisher was exhaustedat 52 seconds, the fire not being controlled.V/eight of powder used: 2 pounds 3.63 ozs.

TEST NO. 19.The gasolene was ignited immediately


38/116


39/116

#17.

upon starting the flow. T'ohe Ho. 9 was used30 seconds after starting the flow. The firewas confined to gasolene on the carbureter andin the mud pan. The extinguisher was exhaust-ed at 45 seconds the fire not "being controlled.Weight of powder used: 2 pounds 5.68 ozs.

TEST NO. HO.Before making this test, the engine, car-

"bureter and pen were heated hy "burning gaso-lene on these parts then when this preliminaryfire was out the flow was started and ignitedimmediately. Tuhe No. 10 was used 31 secondsafter starting the flow. The fire was confinedalmost entirely to the gasolene on the car-bureter, it being vaporized so rapidly that butvery little dripped in the pan. pire was ex-tinguished 56 seconds after starting flow.Weight of powder used: 1 pound 0.69 ozs.

TEST NO. 21.The engine etc. , were heated before thetest as In No. 20. The gasolene was ignitedimmediately upon starting flow, and tube No. 11was used 60 seconds after starting flow. Thefire was confined to gasolene on the carbureter,

the flames extending up about 4 feet above thecarbureter. The fire was extinguished 66seconds after starting flow.Weight of powder used: 1 pound 4.13 ozs.

TEST NO. 22.(P.epetition of Test No. 21.)Tube NO. 1 was used. The fire wasextinguished 3 seconds after applying the ex-tinguisher.V/ei^.t of powder used: 13.83 ounces.


40/116


41/116

#18.

GROUP III.The apparatus was arranged as In Groups

I and II. Dirty lubricating oil was sprinkledon the engine and in the pan as indicated inthe description of each test. neither theengine nor fan were running v;hile these testswere being made. After each test the powderwas blown from the engine, carbureter and mudpan, as thoroughly as possible by means of anair blast which also assisted in evaporatingany gasolene remaining.

TEST WO. 14.The hood on the carbureter side was openduring this test. One half pint of lubricat-ing oil was spread on the engine and adjacentpiping. A small quantity of gasolene was then

distributed on the oil to furnish a means ofignition. This was ignited but the lubricat-ing oil did not bum very v.ell. After burn-ing 2 minutes 45 seconds the valve regulatingthe gasolene flow was opened wide and at 2minutes 54 seconds tube No. 4 was used.The fire was out at 3:00 minutes afterIgnition. Y/eight of powder used: 15.84 ozs.

TEST HO. 23.The hood was entirely removed from thecar for this test and the engine, carbureterand other adjacent parts of the car were heatedby burning gasolene which was sprayed on themand ignited. Then one pint of dirty lubricat-ing oil was sprinkled on the engine and anotherpint in the mud pan. The gasolene was thenallowed to run slowly through the tubing andwas sprinkled over the entire engine by movingthe end of the tubing about. It was then

ignited. 7/hen well under way. Tube No. 2 wasused, the entire contents, 2 pounds 2.89 ounces,being discharged. The fire was not controlled.


42/116


43/116

#19.

TEST NO. 84(Repetition of No, 23, except)(that 2 extinguishers were )(used. )

Tube No. 3 was used at the time when thefire had reached ahout the same magnitude as atthe time of attack in the preceding test, theentire contents, 2 pounds 3.06 ounces, beingused and the fire was then extinguished withtube No. 4, 1 pound 14,13 ounces of the powderbeing used.

CONCLUSIONS REGARDING THE USE OP THE WOLVERINEDRY POWDER EXTINGUISHER FOR USE ON AUTO-MOBILE FIRES.

1.- METHOD OF APPLICATION ,The method of applying the extinguish-

ing agent which consists of throwing it from acylindrical container with a sweeping motion,cannot be considered as being effective.

It is difficult to throw the powderaccurately and with the desired force upon afire because the method of discharge affordsvery little opportunity of taking aim.The effective range of this type ofextinguisher is inherently very short because

it is difficult to throw the powder far, thewaste of powder increases with the distancethrown smd if thrown at long range the powderis retarded by friction with the air to suchan extent that the effectiveness of the partreaching the fire is slight. An extinguisherof any tsrpe should have a range sufficient to


44/116


45/116

#20.

enatle the operator to safely and effectivelyattack any fire likely to "be attained In thetine required to "bring the exting:uisher intoaction. Automobile fires attain their maxi-Eiun magnitude within a very short period oftime so it is considered essential that an ex-tinguisher designed for use on such fires havea long effective range.

The extinguishing agent is contained ina paper cylinder which, when operated, does notconcentrate the powder at the point desired anda large proportion of it, especially in thehands of an inexperienced operator, is wasted.In automobile fires this objection is ofgreat importance because of the inaccessibilityof the points at which the fire may occur andalso because the parts of the car as the hood,radiator, engine, etc. , hinder the operator indirecting the extinguishing agent.

2.- EXTINGUISHING EFFECTIVSKESS .The tests of this extinguisher indicate

that It Is effective on automobile fires only whaithe amount of inflammable material is verylimited.

The extinguishing effectiveness of thisform of extinguisher seems to be limited almostentirely to the smothering action of the finelydivided material with probably a very slightlyincreased effectiveness, due to the evolutionof carbon dioxide gas when the powder is raisedto a high tesnperature.


46/116


47/116

#21.

3.- SUIT/3ILITY FOB USE.-This extinguisher Is not considered

suitable for use on automotlle fires such asmay occur in practice because it is effectiveonly on fires in which the amount of in-flammable liquid is very limited, because theuse of this extinguisher on a car may resultin damage to the wearing parts of the motorand because \inder certain conditions the ex-tinguisher could not be used.

Tests indicate that owing to the diffi-culty of applying the powder to the firesliable to occur in automobiles and owing tothe ineffectiveness of the powder actuallythrovm upon such fires but little reliance canbe placed on this material to extinguish them.The chemical analysis of the powderused in these extinguishers indicates that25.4^ is a water insoluble residue principallysilica with some carbon, iron, etc. The pow-der is ground very fine and after the tests

it was found, although the engine had beenthoroughly cleaned with an air blast, that ap-preciable quantities of the pov/der had gotteninto the magneto and other parts not thorough-ly encased. It is considered very probablethat the insoluble residue, particularly thesilica would cause abrasion of bearings andother wearing surfaces. The use of this ex-tinguisher on a fire about the engine of anautomobile would probably necessitate the dis-mantling of the engine and cleaning of allthe parts.


48/116


49/116

#22.

In case of a fire starting about theengine of a car while the hood is down and at-taining such a magnitude that the operator isunahle to raise the hood in order to attack it,this extinguisher would be useless.


50/116


51/116

TEE ERV/m AUTOMATIC CHEMICAL FIRE EXTIKCTISHER.DESCRIPTIOH.

GENERAL .This extinguisher illustrated hyFigures Iv and Y consists essentially of a

pressure tank, containing the extinguishingfluid, connected "by galvanized pipe to a sprink-ler head installed at a point Tinder the hood.The fill opening at the top of the tank isclosed hy a pressure gauge threaded into it, Avalve at the hottom of the tank serves to ad-mit the air ^ieh is pumped in with an ordinarytire pump. A lever arrangement, showi inFigure IV, permits of manual operation of thedevice hy pushing out the strut of the sprink-ler head.OPERATION.

The tank is charged with the extinguish-ing fluid, after removing the pressure gauge,"by pouring into it, through a funnel, twoquarts of carbon tetrachloride. After replac-ing the gauge an air p;imp is threaded on thenipple of the air valve and the pressure inthe tank, as indicated "by the gauge, is raisedto 30 pounds per square inch. The system isnow charged and is ready to operate when thesolder on the strut of the sprinkler head isfused hy heat.

TANK.-The tank made of pressed steel, shownat 7 in Figure 17 Is cylindrical in shape withdished ends, the internal dimensions being,diameter 6 inches, length 12 inches and capaci-


52/116


53/116

#24.

ty 1.6 gallons. The tank is tinned Inside andoutside by the hot process, to protect It fromcorrosion, and Is then nickel plated. Twothreaded openings are provided, one the fillopening at the top which is closed with a press-ure gauge, and the other at the bottom throughwhich the contents are discharged and the airis admitted.

SPRINKLER EEAD.-The sprinkler head shown at 9 in FigureIV is a Grinnell head and is designed tooperate when the solder reaches a temperatureof 286 degrees Fahrenheit.The head consists essentially of thefollowing:- Frame, strut, deflector, disk anddiaphragm. The disk is of bronze and it seats

on a 1/2 inch orifice in the aluminum bronzediaphragm which is fitted in the body of thehead. It is held in place by a strut which iscomposed of three parts held together by solderin such a way that the fusing of the solderwill allow the collapse of the strut and permitthe pressure of the extinguishing fluid toforce the disk from Its seat. The frame isof phospher bronze and the legs are in tensiondue to the pressure brought on the strut by thedistortion of the diaphragm and the fljiid press-ure under it. The deflector at the top of the frameserves to distribute the issuing streak.

In these tests a bushing with an inter-nal diameter of l/4-lnch was inserted in theinlet orifice of the head so as to increase thetime of discharge of the contents of the tank.


54/116


55/116

#25.

VALVE.The valve shown at 23 in Fi^re ly isthreaded into a "btishing in one arm of a Tee,the other arm of which is connected to thepiping leading to the sprinkler head, and theside arm to the outlet orifice in the tank.The valve housing consists of two nipples,connected hy a coupling. One nipple is thread-ed into the "bushing in one arm of the Tee andthe inner edge of the other nipple serves asa seat for a spherical hall. The ball is heldin place hy a steel spring compressed hy a per-forated plug threaded into the inner end of theinner nipple. The outer end of the outernipple is threaded on the inside and outside soa tire piimp can he connected to it and a cap

is provided to provide additional securityagainst leakage.

GAUGE.The gauge is of the usual type and isthreaded into a hushing in the filling orificeof the tank.


56/116


57/116

#26,

DATA OF TESTS VADE TO DETERMUTE THE EXTIKGUISHrniG EPEICIENCY OP CAEBOH TETRAGKLOP.IDE , OHAUTOMOBILE FIRES, *'/HEN USED IS THE ERWINAUTOMATIC CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

COCTDITIOUS OP TESTS .These tests were made in the open airand the automo'bile used was standing on groundwhich is quite porous, A gravity feed gaso-lene tank was set up with the bottom 4-1/2 feetahove the ground level and connected hy a l/8inch pipe to a length of l/8 inch hollow v.'iretubing which was led through one of the airpassageways in the radiator and terminated abovethe carbureter. Under these conditions whenthe valve controlling the flow of gasolene wasopened wide the rate of flov/ of fuel was aboutone half pint per minute. In these tests thevalve was opened wide at the start of the testand was left open until the fire was controlledor it became so large that it was readily ap-parent that the extinguisher could not control

it. The gasolene was ignited with a matchafter flow had continued a definite length oftime, as indicated in the account of each testand the extinguisher operated at the time noted.The hood was down on both sides v/hile thesetests were 'ceing made, but the fit was veryimperfect and as a result the conditions weremore severe than would generally be found oncars on which the extinguisher is installed.The sprinkler head was installed on the sideopposite the carbureter and therefore was notdirectly above the hottest flames. In eachof these tests the extinguisher was chargedwith two quarts of carbon tetrachloride andpumped up to a pressure of 30 pounds persquare inch.


58/116


59/116

#27.

TEST NO. 1.Gasolene was ignited after flow hadcontinued 1 minute 30 seconds. At this tinethe gasolene commenced dripping on the groundfrom the back end of the mud pan and it wasignited at that point. At 2 minutes 31seconds extinguisher operated. Fire was ex-tinguished completely with some gasolene re-maining in the mud pan. Time of operation of

extinguisher ah out 9 seconds.TEST ISO. 2.

Gasolene on ground was ignited afterflow had continued 2 minutes. At 2 minutes20 seconds the gasolene in the mud pan ignited,the delay in getting in "being due to the windwhich was blowing. At 3 minutes 10 secondsextinguisher operated. At about 3 minutes15 seconds the fire in the car was out. At 3minutes 17 seconds the fire on the ground v/asout. Time of operation of extinguisher about9 seconds.

TEST 110. 4.Gasolene on ground ignited after flowcontinued 4 minutes. At 4 minutes 8 secondsthe gasolene in the mud pan became Ignited.At 5 minutes the extinguisher operated. At

5 minutes 3 seconds the fire was out under thehood and on the ground. Time of operationof extinguisher about 9 seconds.

TEST NO. 3.In this test a 16 inch fan operatedby an electric motor was set up about 6 inches

in front of the radiator so as to force airthrough the air passageways in a manner similarto that when the engine is operating thecooling fan.


60/116


61/116

#28.

Gasolene was ignited after flow hadcontinued 2 tnintites 50 seconds.At 4 minutes 30 seconds the flow ofgasolene was shut off "because the flames extend-ed underneath the entire length of the car andit was judged that even if the extinguisher didoperate it coxild not put out the fire. A fyreneextinguisher v/as used to extinguish the fire ofthe floor and seat "boards. Fire out at 6

minutes. Extinguisher failed to operate.TEST NO. 5.

A 155 Grjtest. A 155 Grinnell head was used in this

With fan running as in Ko, 3. Gaso-lene was ignited after flow had continued 1minute 15 seconds. At 2 minutes gasolene flowwas shut off and the fan was stopped immediate-ly after "because the flames were hlown underthe car so as to endanger the woodwork. At2:35 the extinguisher operated with very littlefire left. The fire was extinguished. Timeof operation of extinguisher a'bout 9 seconds.


62/116


63/116

#29.

CONCLUSIONS REGARDING THE USE CF ANERWIN AUTOMATIC EXTINGUISHER ON AUTOMOBILE PIRES,

1.- METHOD OF ^APPLICATION .The liquid extinguishing agent in the

tank is automatically discharged, in case offire under the hood, on the lower surface of thehood and on other hot metal parts. This mayhe considered an effective method of applicationif the hood is down and the radiator fan is notrunning.

The operation of this extinguisher isautomatic and in case of a fire the fusing ofthe solder on the strut of the sprinkler headpermits the discharge of the liquid contents ofthe tank on the lower surface of the hood andinto the space ahout the engine. In order tooperate.it is necessary that the fire he ofsufficient magnitude to cause the fusing of thesolder hut the tests indicate that this is donehefore the wooden parts of the car are seriouslyendangered hy the flames.

No tests were made of this ecctlnguisherwith the hood raised but it is considered verylikely that, owing to the escape of heat, thesprinkler head would not operate promptly andthat a fire, which could not he controlled hythis type of extingtdsher, would renult heforethe solder was fused. The sprinkler head isprovided with a deflector which distributes thefluid discharged in all directions and if thehood is up it is considered very prohahle thatproportion of the fluid would he


64/116


65/116

#30.

wasted that the extinguisher would have verylittle value under these conditions.Test Ho. 3 and Ho. 5 indicate that, withthe radiator fan running, a fire of considerablemagnitude may he burning under the hood, hutthe hot gases are blown away from the sprinklerhead so rapidly that it will not operate and afire under these conditions may result inpractically a total loss on the car.

2.- EXTIKSUISHINQ EPFECTIVMESS .The tests of this extinguisher indicate

that it is capable of controlling any gasoleneor oil fire in which the burning material isconfined to the space under the hood of an auto-mobile and with a small quantity of inflammableliquid on the floor.

The results of the tests made, in whichthe extinguisher operated, were very satis-factory and the fire In each case was extinguish-ed so promptly that it is reasonable to concludethat the entire space under the hood was filledwith the vapors from the extinguishing fluidand justify the conclusion that a fire of anymagnitude with the burning material confined tothe space under the hood would be extinguishedwith this device installed on the car. Thisconclusion finds further justification in thefact that the quantity of carbon tetrachloridedischarged is twice as great as that generallyused in manually operated extinguishers.


66/116


67/116

#31,

3.- SUITABILITY FOR USE. -The tests of this extinguisher indicate

that it is suitahle for use on automohiles tocontrol fires occurring under the hood, but anattxiliary manually operated machine is desirablefor use on fires which this extinguisher cannotreach or for use when the conditions under whichthis eDctinguisher is of little value are present.

The method of application of the ex-tinguishing fluid is very effective largely be-cause of the fact that, with the hood down, theextinguishing gases are confined and are ableto promptly extinguish the fire.

The automatic operation of this ex-tinguisher is a valuable feature because if afire occurs when no one who knows how to use amanually operated extinguisher is about thisdevice may be able to control it.The extinguishing agent is a very

volatile fluid and after it has operated theliquid evaporates so rapidly that it has verylittle opportunity to affect the parts withwhich it comes in contact.Because of the fact that this ex-tinguisher cannot have any effect on automo-bile fires not under the hood it is consideredvery desirable that an additional manuallyoperated extinguisher be carried for use on

these fires and also to supplement the work ofthe automatic device by extinguishing firesnot completely controlled by it.


68/116


69/116

#3.

PYREITE LIQUID GHEMICAI FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

DESCRIPTION.

SEN5RAL .-The main Tjody of this extinguisher iscylindrloal in shape. The extinguishing fluid

is discharged by means of a manually operatedpump.

The essential parts of this extinguisherare as follows:- A container (B) , cylindricalin shape with hemispherical top and bottom; apump cylinder (C) extending from top to bottomlocated in the center of the container; a pist-on tube (D) securely connected to the handle(I) at one end; a sliding piston (E) at theother end; the piston tube and sliding pistonare enclosed in the pump cylinder; the outletpipe (F) extends up in the piston tube and isrigidly secured at the bottom to the nozzle (J)two valve casings (G) and(G'), located at eachend of the container, mechanically secured toand revolving with the piston tube and outlettube respectively; a floating valve (H) whichconnects with the two valve casings; the valvestem fl) enclosed in a tube; a looking sleeve(K) which engages the handle (L) ; a fillercap (M) and nozzle (J).CONTAINER.

The cylindrical portion of the shell ismade of sheet brass. In order that the con-tainer shall withstand shocks,three corruga-tions are made at each end of the cylinder toadd stiffness. The enclosures for the endsof the cylinder consist of tv/o sheet brassstampings. The ends of these stampings areflattened to provide a seat for the nozzle in


70/116


71/116

#33.

the lower staniping and a seat for the lockingdevioe in the upper stamping.Two openings are provided in the tipperstampings, one through which the piston tubepasses and the other the filling opening. Thelatter is stamped with a raised hosa which pro-vides the seat for the gasket in the fillercap. The flange which projects from thisopening is threaded and provides the means ofattaching the filler cap.

The pump cylinder is located in thecenter of the container. It is a tinnedbrass seamless tube. Slots are cut at eachend of the tube, these slots being the inletports for the extinguishing fluid. The pumpcylinder is held in position by the two valvecasings (G) and(G').

The piston tube (D) is a tinned seainlessbrass tube and is threaded at each end. Thethreads at one end provide the attachment forthe piston and the other end of the, tube issecurely attached to the handle.The outlet tube (F) is a tinned seam-less brass tube secured in position at its

lower end only. It passes through the openingin the bottom of the cylinder and is solderedin position to the nozzle casting.The sliding piston (E) is made up ofthree parts, tv;o of which are of compositionmetal and the third a brass locking sleeve.The small casting over which the piston slides

is shown in section on the blue print at (H).This casting is in the form of a tube thread-ed at one end. Tv.o slots of rectangtQar formare located at diametrically opposite pointsand above the threaded end. This fitting is


72/116


73/116

#34.

provided with a flange at the other end throughwhich the outlet tuhe passes. The fitting isthreaded to the lower end of the piston tuheand is locked in position by a hrass ring. Thesliding piston shown at (E) is a compositioncasting. It has an opening in the center v/hichaccommodates the ahove dscribed fitting. Inorder to provide seats for the brass lockingring dtiring the downward movement and the pro-jecting flange of the fitting over which thepiston slides during the upward movement, eachface of the piston is recessed. During theupward travel of the piston that portion of theports above the piston is open to the ex-tinguishing fluid, and during the downv/ard move-ment of the piston the portion of the ports be-low the piston allows the extinguishing fluidto enter the piston tube.

7AI7E CASDTGS .-The rotating valve casings are of acomposition metal, a large proportion of v/hichis lead. They are held in position by thepump cylinder to which they are soldered atboth ends. They are identical in form excepthaving different size openings to accommodatethe outlet and piston tubes, A circularbrass stamping (8) is soldered to the edge ofthe opening and leaves a port (8') for the ad-

mission of the extinguishing fluid to the valvecasing. The cylindrical portion (B) of thecasing is reduced in diameter. At the inneredge of this opening is a ridge which providesthe seat for the floating valve. A web withan opening in the center, through which therod of the floating valve slides, is locatedat this end of the cylindrical opening. Inthe top of this cylindrical portion is anopening v/hich is opened and closed by a bronzeball valve. Leading from, this ball valvechamber is a port (7^ which communicates vviththe port (8) which is the entrance to the pmnp


74/116


75/116

#35.

cylinder, circular bosses are cast on theouter surface of the circuLar portion of tliecasings; these bosses are recessed for thegaskets which set up against the inner surfaceof each end of the cylinder.

FLOATIEG VAIVE . -The floating valve (I), supported bythe tv/o rotating valve casings, is for the purp-ose of closing the inlet port which is above

the level of the containing fluid when the ex-tinguisher is put into operation. It consistsof a brass rod with circular discs (E) and (E')threaded to each end of it. The rod is sup-ported at both ends in the center of the lov;ercylindrical section of the valve casings, andIs enclosed in the space betv/een these two cas-ings by a sheet brass tube (3). This brasstube Is slipped into the openings of the cylind-rical portion of the valve casings and thensold-ered into position. The brass discs travelupward and downward and v/hen at the end of theirtravel in one direction, one of the portsthrough the valve casing is open and the otheris closed.

STUFF CTG BOX. -The looking sleeve Is a casting of com-

position metal which is soldered in positionto the flat top of the brass stamping. Thiscasting is in form of a v^asher having a bosswith cast threads on its inner surface. Tv/olocking lugs are located at diametrically oppo-site points and project from the upper surfaceof the outer edge of the casting.

BAUDLE .The handle (L) is of composition metalthreaded to the upper end of the piston tube.


76/116


77/116

M.'36,

This handle Is the means of closing the outlettube and also locking the extinguisher when notin use. The engagement of the lugs v.ith thelocking sleeve is limited to about a quarter ofa turn by stops located at diameterically op-posite points. A shoulder is located aboutI-I/2 inches dov-n from the top of the opening.This shoulder has an opening located in thecenter. The shoulder has for its upper surf-ace a flat seat and the lower surface isbeveled. This shoulder provides a seat forthe cork fo). This cork provides for theclosure of the outlet tube when the handle islocked. It is held against the shoulder bya coil spring fp) of German silver wire. Theupper end of the coil spring bears against abrass screw plug.

FILLER CAP.-The filler cap fH) is a casting of com-position metal provided with a valve whichopens inward and allows the admission of air tothe interior of the shell whenever a partialvacuum is formed. The casting part of thiscap is in the form of a plug. Two lugs arelocated at diametrically opposite points onthe side of the cap. The valve is of ccmpo-sition metal, the upper surface being pro-vided with a small circular recess v.hich is

held against a ridge, located around the centralvent opening, by a coil of German silver wire*.

HOZZLE.The nozzle (J) is a casting of compo-sition metal and soldered in the recess in thelower end of the extinguisher. This castinghas a circular dpening through its center.

The outlet tube is inserted in this openingand soldered in position. The diameter ofthe orifice is 3/l6 inch.


78/116


79/116

#37.

DATA OP TESTS I.IADE TO DETEMINE THE EXTIKOxUISH-ING EFPICIEKGY OE GAEBOW TETEAGKLOKIlffi .VHEIIUSED n; A OUE-QUAET PYREKE EXTIIfGUISHER.

The data of these tests are arranged Ingroups.GROUP I.

These tests were made for the purposeof determining the ability of this extinguisherto control fires starting with a limited quanti-ty of gasolene on the engine and in the mud pan.This condition might he the result of cleaningthe car v/ith gasolene or the gasolene might "bespilled accidentally.

COEDITIOU OP TE5T .-A measured quantity of gasolene waspoured on the carbureter from which part drippedon drip pan and on the floor. The gasolene v;asignited with a match at a point near the carhu-reter. The hood on the carbureter side was upwhile these tests were being made. Neither theengine nor fan were running while these testswere being made.

TEST KG. 1.1 pint of gasolene was poured on thecarbureter most of which dropped into the drippan and a small quantity on the floor. Ex-tinguisher used 7) seconds after ignition.Operator attacked the fire about the carbureterand at the front part of the mud pan. The firein the mud pan ?/as then attacked from, under-

neath the car, Pire was extinguished at 50seconds. "/eight of carbon tetrachloride used2 pounds 14.9 oimces.


80/116


81/116

#38,

TEST NO. 2.(Pepetition of Test Eo.l)

Extinguisher used 3 seconds after igni-tion. Method of attack, the same as in TestHo, 1. Fire was extinguished 37 seconds afterignition. Weight of carbon tetrachloride used2 poujids 6.65 ounces. Siifficient gasolene re-mained after this test to bum for some time.

TEST NO. 3.One quart of gasolene was poured on thecarbureter and in the mud pan; about one pintdropped on the floor. Extinguisher used 3seconds after ignition. Operator attacked thefire on the floor and at the back part of themud pan. The fire about the engine and car-bureter was then attacked and extinguished at52 seconds. Weight of carbon tetrachlorideused, 2 pounds 14 ounces.

TEST NO. 4.Three pints of gasolene was poured onthe carbureter and in the mud pan; about onequart dropped on the floor. Extinguisher used

3 seconds after ignition. operator attackedthe fire on the floor and at the back part ofthe mud pan. The fire on the floor was notextinguished, but the gasolene was swept fromunderneath the car and continued to burn atthe side where it could not do any more damage.The operator then attacked and extinguishedthe fire about the engine and carbureter. Somemore fluid was used on floor. Fire extinguish-er exhausted at 61 seconds. Weight ofcarbon tetrachloride used 3 pounds 5.7 otmofis.The gasolene on the floor was allowed to burnout.This test indicates that three pintsof gasolene burning may be considered the most


82/116


83/116

#39.

which can "be controlled with the conditions\mder which these tests were made.

TEST KO. 9.One half gallon of gasolene was pouredon the carhureter and in the mud pan; at least

a quart dropped on the floor. The gasolenewas ignited vith a match and was attacked ahout3 seconds after ignition v/ith a Pyrene ex-tinguisher. There was so much gasolene hurningon the floor that the flames extended to thehack end of the car and it was readily apparentthat the one quart of extinguishing fluid wasnot sufficient to extinguish the fire so theoperator directed his attention to preventingthe wooden parts from igniting and the gasolenewas allowed to hurn out.

GROUP II.The tests in this group v/ere made forthe purpose of determining the ahility of thisextinguisher to control fires starting afterthe gasolene line had hecome hroken or thecarhureter deranged so as to leak.

COIIDITIOU OF TEST .-A gravity feed gasolene tank was setup with the bottom 4-l/2 feet above the floorlevel and connected by a l/e inch pipe to alength of l/e inch hollow wire copper tubingwhich was led through the air passagev/ays inthe radiator and terminated above the. car-bureter. Under these conditions when thevalve controlling the flow of gasolene wasopened wide the rate of flow of fuel v/as aboutone half pint per minute. In these tests

the valve was opened wide at the start of thetest and was left open until the fire was con-trolled or the extinguisher exhausted. The


84/116


85/116

#40,

gasolene was Ignited with a match after flowhad contin-ued a definite length of time, as in-dicated in the account of each test, and theextinguisher was used at the time noted. Thehood on the carbureter side was up duringthese tests exoept as noted vmder Test Ho, 8.neither the engine nor fan were running whilethese tests were "being made.

TEST NO. 6.The gasolene was Ignited after flowhad continued 2 minutes. Extinguisher wasused at 2 minutes 3 seconds. Operator attack-ed the fire ahout the carbureter and front partof the mud pan and, when It was out there, thefire on the floor and at the rear end of themud pan. Extinguisher was exhausted at 2minutes 40 seconds. All the fire was ex-tinguished except that at the rear end of themud pan which was difficult to reach. The

flow of gasolene was shut off when the extinguish-er was exhausted and the gasolene was al-lowed to burn out. Weight of carbon tetra-chloride used 2 pounds 12.8 ounces.

TEST NO. 6.(Repetition of Test No. 5.)Gasolene ignited at 2 minutes. Ex-

tinguisher used at 2 minutes 3 seconds. Ex-tinguisher exhausted at 2 minutes 23 seconds.The fire at the rear end of the mud pan was notextinguished. Weight of carbon tetrachlorideused 3 poiinds 5.8 ounces.

TEST NO. 7.(Repetition of Test No. 5.)Gasolene ignited at 2 minutes. Ex-tinguisher used at 2 minutes 3 seconds. Ex-tinguisher exhausted at 3 minutes 1 second. Thefire at the rear end of the mud pan was not ex-tinguished, weight of carbon tetrachlorideused 3 pounds 4,5 ounces.


86/116


87/116

#41,

TEST NO. 8.Repetition of Test Ro. 5, except thatthe hood was down on both sides, there "beinga crack, however, on the carbureter side be-tween the lower edge of the radiator and theframe of the car about 2 inches wide becausethe hood did not fit the radiator very well.Gasolene was ignited after flow hadcontinued 2 minutes. Extinguisher was usedat 2 minutes 3 seconds. Operator attacked the

fire by directing the stream through air passage-ways in the radiator. When the fire was part-ially checked under the hood the fire on thefloor was attacked and extinguished. A smallflame at the point v>fhere the gasolene was flow-ing was then extinguished by directing thestream through the crack between the hood andthe frame of the car. Fire was extinguishedat 2 minutes 32 seconds. It was noted thatthe fumes from the extinguisher fluid remainedunder the hood and that some time elapsed beforethe residual gasolene could be ignited as thematch was put out several times when theattempt was made. Weight of carbon tetra-chloride used 2 pounds 5.5 ounces.


88/116


89/116


90/116


91/116

#43.

The extinguishing effectiveness of thisfluid is due to the generation of heavy gases,when the liquid is discharged on a fire, whichtend to exclude the oxygen and prevent furthercomhustion. In view of the fact that an oldcar was used and that the area of the openingswhich might allow the escape of the gas waslarger than generally found on automobiles Itis considered that the tests indicated con-clusively that the gases are confined sufficient,ly to extinguish any fire in which theburning liquid is confined to the car.

3. - SUITABILITY FOR USE . -This extinguisher is considered to be

suitable for use on autonobilesfires.

The extinguishing fluid can be accurate-ly and effectively applied to the fire bymeans of this extinguisher and, if the ex-tinguisher is used shortly after the fire startsit can be relied on to extinguish it.

The extin.guishing agent is a veryvolatile liquid and after use on a fire in anautomobile the liquid evaporates so rapidlythat it has very little opportunity to affectthe parts with which it comes in contact.


92/116


93/116

#44

COIvtPARISON OF TEE THBEE EXTINGUISHERS TESTED.

1.- METHOD OP APPLICATION.Owing to the fact that the pyrene extingulaii-

er Is manually operated and the stream may beaccurately directed at any point desired themethod of application of the extinguishing fluidis considered the hest.

The Wolverine dry powder extinguisher ismanually operated hut, leaving out of considera-tion the lack of effectiveness of the powder,the method used for applying the extinguishingagent is considered inferior to the method usedwith Pyrene because it cannot he directedaccurately and because the range is so short.The Erwln automatic extinguisher la su-perior to the other tv/o in the fact that if afire occurs in a car, at a point near a sprink-ler head, while no one is about, the sprinklerhead will operate and, if the fire has not ex-tended beyond the range of the head, the firemay be extinguished. This device is subjecthowever to the following criticisms. If itoperates with the hood up it is probable thata large proportion of the contents of the tankwould be wasted. Leakage of air through thefill opening or leakage of liquid through theair inlet valve or the pipe connections mayrender the device inoperative. The area overwhich one head will distribute the fluid islimited and when the device operates all of thefluid is discharged very rapidly so if any fireis remaining at points about the car beyond therange of the head which operated it cannot be


94/116


95/116

extinguished. This extinguisher does notprovide any means for attacking fires which mayoriginate outside of the extinguishing range ofany of the heads installed.The Pyrene extinguisher is Inferior tothe Erwln only In the fact that being manuallyoperated it cannot extinguish fires occurringwhen no one is ahout. This objection is con-sidered to be of secondary importance however,because by far the greater proportion of auto-mobile fires originate while something is being

done on the car which is ignited. The superiori-ty of the Pyrene extinguisher is due to the factsthat it Is operative at all times, that thedanger of leakage or derangement of the parts isslight, and that it may be used on fires underthe hood whether the hood is up or down.

2.- EZTIHGUISHIHG EFFECTI7MESS. -Of the two materials used as the ex-

tinguishing agents in these tests, the carbontetrachloride is undoubtedly the more effectiveand the use of this fluid In a manually operatedPyrene extinguisher is preferable to its use inthe Ervk'ln automatic device.

The Wolverine dry powder extinguisher iseffective only on fires in which the amotmt ofburning material is so small that it is consideredto be decidedly inferior to either of the typesusing carbon tetrachloride.The Erwln automatic extinguisher, owing

to the large quantity of fluid discharged, isprobably the most effective on fires occurMngwithin the range of the extinguisher. If the


96/116


97/116

#46.

fact, that the fire may spread heyond the rangeof the extinguisher, or that it nay start at apoint where no sprinkler head is installed, istaken into consideration, this device is in-ferior to one man\ially operated.

The contents of the Pyrene extinguishermay "be discharged at any point desired andafter operation has started it is not limitedto one point of attack so it is considered tobe the more effective of the two.

3.- SUITABILITY FOR USE.Either of the extinguishers, using carbon

tetrachloride as the extinguishing agent, isconsidered suitable for use on automobile fires,but if only one type is to be installed the useof the Pyrene extinguisher is considered prefer-able to the use of the Erwin automatic device.

The Wolverine dry powder extinguisheris not considered suitable for use on automo-biles because the extinguishing effectivenessis so low and because the operator may hesi-tate to use it on a fire under the hood be-cause of fear of injuring the engine.

The use of a pyrene extinguisher is con-sidered preferable to the installation of theErwin automatic extinguisher because the de-vice can be used on a fire originating at anypoint in the car and it is very effective onany type of fire which may occur.The installation of an Erwin automaticextinguisher, in addition to the Pyrene ex-tinguisher, with sprinkler heads installed at


98/116


99/116

the points where fire is most likely to occur,is considered to be very desirable. With thisarrangement the automatic device wo\ild ex-tinguish fires within the range of the heads andthe Pyrene could he used on any flames remainingafter the operation of the automatic device orto attack fires originating at points where nosprinkler head is installed.

#47


100/116


101/116

CO

nCO

noonn4

mmMH.HC""""'""':!'.:


102/116


103/116

FIG. II VJOLVERriE AND PYBENE EXTINCTISHERS.


104/116


105/116

^^ mmm:^


106/116

a


107/116


108/116


109/116

FIG. V EEWIN AUTOMATIC EXTINGUISKEKINSTALLED ON CAR.


110/116


111/116


112/116


113/116

A.


114/116


115/116


116/116

Documents

(1914) Fire Extinguishers for Automobiles