New technologies for fire suppression on board naval craft, FiST

For three years Canada, Sweden and the Netherlands have been investigating new technologies for fire suppression on board naval crafts within the FiST project. The project has focused on a number of technologies. These included the evaluation of water based fire suppression systems and in particular the efficacy of such systems when damaged. Damage included reduced system pressures, inoperable nozzles and the incorporation of sections of shrapnel damaged piping into the water delivery system. Firefighting systems for use on board submarines were investigated to provide information for halon replacement strategies. The efficacy and hazards associated with the use of gaseous fire suppressants for use in electrical cabinets on board ships and submarines and the protection of ammunition storage spaces were also evaluated. The FiST project has been successful in providing a substantial amount of experimental data and analyses in these areas. Throughout the project we have adopted a functionally based approach to the design of fixed systems for firefighting on board naval vessels. Many prescriptive regulations are based on either non-valid assumptions concerning the nature of fires on a particular vessel. They can be based on experimental or theoretical validation that has been lost, i.e. the origin and rationale for the regulation is not traceable. In many instances it is not possible to assure the applicability of the regulation today. This can lead to the installation of costly, poorly dimensioned and ineffective systems. The design of firefighting systems on military vessels using a functionality approach may require more work than using prescriptive regulations. However, it will most likely result in a more cost effective system. A tailored system may also provide enhanced operability with respect Navy threats and requirements. It is interesting in this context that functionally based regulations have been adopted in the fire chapter of both SOLAS and the Naval Ship Code. The paper will present and discuss experimental results from the FiST project from the perspective of a functionally based approach to fire suppression on board naval vessels.