Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings

1. Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment � for Museums and Historical Buildings COST Action C17 � WG 2 Meeting9th December 2004, Vienna Geir JensenInterconsult Member of the COWI Group Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings

2. An evaluation of alternatives for staff to extinguish fires at the early stage on behalf of:  The Directorate for Cultural Heritage (RA), Norway The Norwegian Archive, Library and Museum Authority (ABM,formerly NMU) Performed by: Interconsult, member of the COWI Group (formerly IGP) The Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings

3. OBJECTIVES 1 Suitability for museums and historical buildings 2 Low impact on artifacts (minimum damage to physical heritage values) 3 Equipment useful without extensive training, by any staff person � prior to fire brigade intervention Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings

4. ITEMS EVALUATED � OVERVIEW 9 of Hand held extinguishers*4 of Categories of automatic extinguishers  (hand helds with automatic nozzles - fixed to ceiling or wall)3 of Categories of hose with nozzle types 1 of Fixed monitor, one-man operated 3 of Techniques for fire fighting by staff without any equipment*Including extensive tests with artifact material samples Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings 9 types of hand held fire extinguishing equipment were evaluated to assess relative perform�an�ce of exting�ui�s�h��ing, ease of use and applicability in an environment of tender artifacts [11]. 9 types of hand held fire extinguishing equipment were evaluated to assess relative perform�an�ce of exting�ui�s�h��ing, ease of use and applicability in an environment of tender artifacts [11].

5. EXTINGUISHING PERFORMANCE - COMPARISON TEST SET UP Test to assess relative performances of 9 extinguishers Wooden pallets 8 min pre-burn time Approximately 0.5 MW Trained fireman applied every extinguisher in turn Extinguishing performance: Actually a low priority test: Standard test performances to EN 3 etc available for all extinguishers. We used this test for assess- ing suitability for use by museum staff. Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings Realistic fire tests were arranged to test relative performance. Piles of wooden pallets were subject to 8 min pre-burn before a fireman attached them with an extinguisher. The test was repeated for every extinguisher and the heat release rate (HRR) was assessed to 0.5 MW at the time of attack. This test did not have a high priority because extinguishing performance data to standards like European Norm 3 are readily available. The test was made to demonstrate the principles of use and to assess the usefulness for museum employees, primarily [11].Realistic fire tests were arranged to test relative performance. Piles of wooden pallets were subject to 8 min pre-burn before a fireman attached them with an extinguisher. The test was repeated for every extinguisher and the heat release rate (HRR) was assessed to 0.5 MW at the time of attack. This test did not have a high priority because extinguishing performance data to standards like European Norm 3 are readily available. The test was made to demonstrate the principles of use and to assess the usefulness for museum employees, primarily [11].

6. FULL SCALE TESTS ON IMPACT BY EXTINGUISHING MEDIA ON TYPICAL ARTIFACT MATERIALS 6 Extinguishing media 13 Sets of sample artifact materials 13 Samples on each set (169 samples) Sets subjected to hot smoke layer (removed at temperature of 160oC) 6 Sets not subjected to smoke from fire 1 Set for reference 6+6 All 12 test sets subject to ext. Media (each media applied on one of each) Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings 6 extinguishing media were used: Dry chemical, carbondioxide, water, water mist, aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) and (in the extinguishing test only) emulsifying light water. Fig.2. 13 sets of 13 samples each were made, i.e.169 samples. 7 sets were subject�ed to the hot smoke layer from the wooden pallet fire, except one for reference. The fire was removed when tem�p��erature at samples reached 160�C, and the sets left in the smoke filled fire room for 15 mins. The other 6 sets was not subjected to fire or smoke. All 12 sets were sub�jec�ted to ex�tinguish�ing mediae: A pair for each of 6 extinguish�ing media in turn, one exposed to fire the other not. The samples were wrapped in plastic for 24 hours before being analyzed for short term im�pacts, then stored for 60 days before re-analyzed for long term impacts. The ana�ly�sis was not in-depth, but appear to be the only one of its kind and the results are fairly decisive.6 extinguishing media were used: Dry chemical, carbondioxide, water, water mist, aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) and (in the extinguishing test only) emulsifying light water. Fig.2. 13 sets of 13 samples each were made, i.e.169 samples. 7 sets were subject�ed to the hot smoke layer from the wooden pallet fire, except one for reference. The fire was removed when tem�p��erature at samples reached 160�C, and the sets left in the smoke filled fire room for 15 mins. The other 6 sets was not subjected to fire or smoke. All 12 sets were sub�jec�ted to ex�tinguish�ing mediae: A pair for each of 6 extinguish�ing media in turn, one exposed to fire the other not. The samples were wrapped in plastic for 24 hours before being analyzed for short term im�pacts, then stored for 60 days before re-analyzed for long term impacts. The ana�ly�sis was not in-depth, but appear to be the only one of its kind and the results are fairly decisive.

7. ARTIFACT TEST SAMPLES Wood, oil-painted wooden panel, ca. 90 years old. Wood, oil-painted wooden panel, ca. 90 years old. Treated with 1:1 beeswax and dammar resin diluted in white spirit. Wood, old, newly painted with distemper paint. Iron, 5 mm plate partly with untreated and partly with sanded surface. Iron, 5 mm plate partly with untreated and partly with sanded surface. 1 coat of 5% Paraloid B72 dissolved in acetone. Oil-painting on canvas ca. 10 years old. Oil-painting on canvas ca.10 yrs. 1 coat of Larop�al varnish (cyclohexanon resin)dissolved white spirit. Leather, vegetable tanned cattle hide, uncolored, ca. 50 years old. Leather, vegetable tanned cattle hide, uncolored, ca. 50 yrs. Treated with Maroquin leather�vase�line. Wool, 2 coloured, new. Cotton with embroidery, ca. 40 years old. Linen with embroidery, ca. 40 years old. Acid free mounting board, rag board, new. Thickness 1,8 mm Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings Curator Anne Sommer-Larsen at the NIKU was engaged for the preparing of samples of typical artifact materials and evaluation of the impacts caused by extinguishing mediae [11]. Thirteen artifact materials were selected and subjected to tests: Wood, oil-painted wooden panel, ca. 90 years old. Wood, oil-painted wooden panel, ca. 90 years old. Treated with 1:1 beeswax and dammar resin diluted in white spirit. Wood, old, newly painted with distemper paint. Iron, 5 mm plate partly with untreated and partly with sanded surface. Iron, 5 mm plate partly with untreated and partly with sanded surface. 1 coat of 5% Paraloid B72 dissolved in acetone. Oil-painting on canvas ca. 10 years old. Oil-painting on canvas ca.10 yrs. 1 coat of Larop�al varnish (cyclohexanon resin)dissolved white spirit. Leather, vegetable tanned cattle hide, uncolored, ca. 50 years old. Leather, vegetable tanned cattle hide, uncolored, ca. 50 yrs. Treated with Maroquin leather�vase�line. Wool, 2 coloured, new. Cotton with embroidery, ca. 40 years old. Linen with embroidery, ca. 40 years old. Acid free mounting board, rag board, new. Thickness 1,8 mm Curator Anne Sommer-Larsen at the NIKU was engaged for the preparing of samples of typical artifact materials and evaluation of the impacts caused by extinguishing mediae [11]. Thirteen artifact materials were selected and subjected to tests:

8. RESULTS 1 Best all round hand held extinguisher: Water mist Optional in proximity of water soluble paint: Carbondioxode Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings Complete results from theoretic evaluations and tests is presented in the report [11]. The best hand held extinguisher for general use in museums or heritage environments turned out to be the water mist type. The carbondioxide type is an option were water soluble paint�ings etc are very close to a fire, but clearly it should never be used as the only one at hand in any area. Complete results from theoretic evaluations and tests is presented in the report [11]. The best hand held extinguisher for general use in museums or heritage environments turned out to be the water mist type. The carbondioxide type is an option were water soluble paint�ings etc are very close to a fire, but clearly it should never be used as the only one at hand in any area.

9. RESULTS 2 High spray momentum of many extinguishers may cause mechanical damage to artifacts. Extinguishers to highest performance class of EN 3: Most efficient for trained firemen (empties fast) Inferior classes best for non-trained staff (empties slow) Killing a myth: Water mist, ordinary water extinguishers and water hoses are safely applied on live electrical equipment. Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings The high momentum spray of some extinguishers may cause mechanical damage to artifacts. Extinguishers of high performance classes to EN 3 is the better for train�ed users, be�cause they empty fast. Non-trained users will do best with inferior class types that empty slower. Water mist or ordinary water may be used safely at electrical fires, contrary to popular belief [11] The high momentum spray of some extinguishers may cause mechanical damage to artifacts. Extinguishers of high performance classes to EN 3 is the better for train�ed users, be�cause they empty fast. Non-trained users will do best with inferior class types that empty slower. Water mist or ordinary water may be used safely at electrical fires, contrary to popular belief [11]

10. RESULTS 3 Short term impact on materials: Water mist caused least damage. Comment on dry chemical: When applied to samples in test at <50 oC, damage equalled that of water mist. When applied to hot surfaces, dry chemical cause a hard shell which is impossible to remove without damaging the artifact. Long term impact on materials: Not yet evaluated. No immediate signs conclusions may be altered. Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings Short Term Impact on Materials Despite the definite tell-tale results it was difficult to pinpoint a superior extinguishing media because every media had varying impacts on different materials. Water mist, and surprisingly dry chemical, caused the least damage overall. However, in our tests the mediae was used on the sample surfaces cooled to below 50 �C after the fire. Applied to hot surfaces, dry chemical cause a hard shell to form which is impossible to remove without damaging tender surfaces [11]. Long Term Impact on Materials Long term results are not yet elaborated. All test material is stored, prepared for a long term periodic analysis.Short Term Impact on Materials Despite the definite tell-tale results it was difficult to pinpoint a superior extinguishing media because every media had varying impacts on different materials. Water mist, and surprisingly dry chemical, caused the least damage overall. However, in our tests the mediae was used on the sample surfaces cooled to below 50 �C after the fire. Applied to hot surfaces, dry chemical cause a hard shell to form which is impossible to remove without damaging tender surfaces [11]. Long Term Impact on Materials Long term results are not yet elaborated. All test material is stored, prepared for a long term periodic analysis.

11. RESULTS 4 Hand held high impact water mist gun: Based on several demonstrations and documentation it was concluded that it works only if applied by trained firemen. Even then it involves an unwanted degree of complexity and time delay. It works efficiently in terms of low water consumption and quick control of the fire. It works from greater dist- ance than hand helds - reach compare to water hose nozzles. Drawbacks: Does not cool efficiently to enable fast extinguish-ment. Total water consumption equal water hoses at A-type fires requiring cooling of solids. - High impact spray cause mechanical damage to artifacts. - High cost. Require training. Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings The evaluation included hand held water mist gun, water mist hose nozzles, foam units and sand buckets. The gun (demonstrated), mist nozzle and foam unit were judged too cum�b�er��some for em��ployee use. The sand was too wet for fine spray, so our test had to be abrupted. The evaluation included hand held water mist gun, water mist hose nozzles, foam units and sand buckets. The gun (demonstrated), mist nozzle and foam unit were judged too cum�b�er��some for em��ployee use. The sand was too wet for fine spray, so our test had to be abrupted.

12. RESULTS 5 High pressure water mist hose nozzle: Based on ad hoc demonstrations, and a report by VTT laboratory of Finland we recommend this to be con- sidered only if reliable high pressure water supply is available (say, from a fixed water mist system). Such nozzles appears very powerful in the hands of trained firemen for cooling hot layers at late stage of fires. But tests proved that water consumption equalled that of standard water hose. And the standard hose nozzle put out the fires faster. As with the high impact water mist gun, neither the High pressure hose nozzles have made success, since their introduction 5-10 years ago. Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings

13. RESULTS 6 Grenades: Aerosol grenades are pyrotechnical generators. They produce smoke particles that decompose in contact with flames by endothermic reactions. The byproducts are inert gases that increase their enormous efficiency further. They were reinvented in the 1980-ies (Russia) and by now a CEN Standard draft is issued. They are �extremely simple�, involve no pipes or other installation and are 6 times more efficient than halon by mass. Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings

14. RESULTS 6 B Ancient Grenades: Seen here are sample grenades from 19th century. According to history notes they did work, but �performance did not match their elegant designs�. They were likely based on the same basic ingredients as todays products, but the latter are much more refined in performance. Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings

15. RESULTS 6 C Ancient Grenades Part II: Bottom right is a drawing of application of grenades in room fires. The barrael above is a �heavy duty hand held�. It probably was lifted by several men, and tossed into romm in fire. The core contained gun powder, that expelled the water surrounding it for a kind of �high impact water mist� extinguishing effect. Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings

16. RESULTS 7 Foam units and buckets of sand or water: Buckets of water was not tested, but no doubt are quite efficient compared to the low cost and simplicity. Buckets of sand was prepared for testing but had to be abrupted as the sand was wet. Wet sand clogs. The principle is to introduce an abundance of small particles to absorb heat by the sum of their total surface area (much like water mist), and to cover up and cool the fire source. New �light water� (foam) and �fire gel� units (hand held or on wheel carriers) are offered. These have not been tested. Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings

17. RESULTS 8 Automatic, fixed �hand held� extinguishers: A full scale test where made of one such extinguisher conatining light water. The set up was in a living room, fire was ignited in furniture. The extinguisher was fixed to the wall, with heat activated nozzle in hot smoke layer near celing. The extinguisher activated very quick to those observing it, and extinguished the fire. However, the liquid media only wetted materials in the spray direction, so fire re-ignited and had to be extingusihed manually. Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings

18. RESULTS 9 Techniques to fight fire without equipment: Smothering: Keep fire in airtight room. Manually spread out the burning material in fire. Shut down electrical power. Despite a lot of smoke production many fires are endothermic and will seize upon shut down. Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings Because of their superior �reversibility�, three fire fighting techniques are specially recom�m�e�n��ded for consideration in heritage buildings and museums: 1. Smothering (keeping fire in air�tight room). 2. Manually spreading of burning material in fire. 3. Power shut down at electr�i�cal fires still in the endothermic phase (by smoke detector or manually if in manned area) [11].Because of their superior �reversibility�, three fire fighting techniques are specially recom�m�e�n��ded for consideration in heritage buildings and museums: 1. Smothering (keeping fire in air�tight room). 2. Manually spreading of burning material in fire. 3. Power shut down at electr�i�cal fires still in the endothermic phase (by smoke detector or manually if in manned area) [11].

19. OVERALL DISCUSSION: Many believe museums and heritage buildings require special extinguishers to avoid damage to cultural values. Not so, neccessarily. Fires does not start in drawers containing artifacts, or within frames of famous paintings. Fires in heritage buildings start in the profane items like coffee makers, electrical panels, waste baskets � just like in any other building. There is no apparent risk that extinguishing media may damage artifacts. Consider your scenarios carefully before concluding otherwise. Hand Held Fire Extinguishing Equipment - for Museums and Historical Buildings

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