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248 F I R E R E S E A R C H This phase was devoted to the defimtion of aimhary agent/system require- ments and to the review of existing knowledge on the performance of various agents and systems under particular fire and environmental conditions likely to be en- countered at military airports. Where knowledge was lacking, a series of environ- mental and small-scale fire tests were conducted, the latter on three mockups simulatmg fires in an aircraft engme, fuel running along the incUne of an aircrt^t wmg, and i n a ruptured fuel tank contaimng reticulated foam Candidate aunhary agents and systems were recommended for the various requirements identified A test program aimed at reducing the number of agents and systems to a minimum was planned and proposed for conduct m the second phase of the project Two other areas were identified as requiring additional work and recommended for the second phase These were the development of a more effective magnesium fire extinguishmg agent and system and the optimization of the design of nozzles and dehvery mechanisms used on portable and wheeled extinguishers. Rogowski, Z . W. and Ames, S. A. (Fire Research Station, Boreham Wood, Herts, (j England) "Performance of Metal Foam as a Flame Arrester When Fit ted to Gas-Explosion-Rehef Vents," Fire Research Note No 931, Joint Fire Research Organization (Apr i l 1972) Sections: E, A Subjects: Explosion, Flame arrester, Electrical equipment. Foam, metallic Authors' Summary A new metalhc foam knoAvn commercially as 'Retimet' was examined for the ' purpose of protecting industnal eqmpment for use m flammable atmospheres. The metal foam functioned as a flame arrester when mounted on the casing of such equipment and reheved pressure resulting f rom igmtion of flammable gas wi thm the equipment but prevented the emergence of flames to the outer atmosphere Cubical enclosures up to 28 litres (1 f t ' ) in volume have been tested wi th propane/] air and ethylene/air mixtures using two different porosity grades of the metal foam The pressure developed inside the enclosure was found to be dependent upon the vent area and the porosity of the metal foam A limit ing vent area was found below which damage to the arrester would occur and the outer atmosphere would be igmted The mechanism of the explosion transmission through the arrester was established F. Fire Damage and Salvage
