Feature 2 | RO-RO TECHNOLOGY


Figure 2: The composite construction. Note the drencher system installation on the outside, above window openings. The front is relatively high in order to provide surface area for outside flame sp


omposite construction. Note the drencher system installation on the outside, above the s. The front is relatively high in order to provide surface area for outside flame spread.


Figure 2: The composite construction. Note the drencher system installation on the outside, above the window openings. The front is relatively high in order to provide surface area for outside flame spread.


Figure 3: A representative photo that gives an indication of the intensity of the fire. Note the separ of wall elements in the cabin.


Figure 4: Fire spread on the outer wall from the pool fire without drencher acti


Figure 3: A representative photo that gives an indication of the intensity of the fire. Note the separation of wall elements in the cabin.


esentative photo that gives an indication of the intensity of the fire. Note the separation of wall elements in the cabin.


Figure 4: Fire spread on the outer wall from the pool fire without drencher activation.


eroded. It was also observed that the exposed surface of the insulation had hardened in an area that corresponded to the inner footprint of Cabin A, which indicates very high temperatures. In order to test the exterior drencher


system, a heptane pool fire was arranged at the window opening of Cabin B to simulate a flashover fire spilling out of the window (Figure 5). In the first test, the drencher was activated just after the fire was ignited and in the second test, fire spread was allowed on the


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Figure 4: Fire spread on the outer wall from the pool fire without drencher activation.


outer surface before the drencher was activated. It was found that without a drencher, flame spread was quite rapid on the outer surface but the drencher efficiently prevented fire spread and also very quickly extinguished an initiated surface fire.


Investigation needed The original plan was to finalise the test programme with a very intense flashover fire using a heptane pool as fire source. The reason was that it was not believed


Figure 5: The wall a few seconds (5-10 seconds) after the drencher was activ


Figure 5: The wall a few seconds (5-10 seconds) after the drencher was activated.


that a standard fire would provide sufficient energy to really challenge the construction materials and, in particular, the composite construction. However, it was found that the flashover fire in the fifth experiment, using only standard interior cabin materials and realistic luggage, was indeed entirely enough to provide a very intense and long-lasting fire. Actually, the result was such that one conclusion from the experiment must be that a more thorough investigation should be undertaken in order to


The Naval Architect April 2008


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