GB2294572A - Flashover Simulator - Google Patents

Abstract

A flashover simulator constructed from a fabricated road container, which when operated creates a flashover situation in safe controlled conditions. Inner doors 1 are used to allow heat to build up valve 18 (see figure 2, not shown) is operated and fuel from pressure vessel 11, (see figure 2) is released onto fire creating flashover situation. <IMAGE>

Description

FLASHOVER SIMULATOR This invention relates to a Flashover Simulator.

BACKGROUND A flashover simulator is a training aid whereby a flashover is artificially created in order to provide realistic training in safe, controlled conditions.

A flashover is a phenomenon which occurs at a point during the development of a fire where unburned products of combustion above their auto ignition temperature are provided with a source of oxygen which enables them to ignite spontaneously, creating a pressure wave and producing a low pressure explosion.

Flashover Simulators in use elsewhere in the country are expensive to run, cannot be run for long periods of time and need to be cooled down and rebuilt before re-use.

With this invention, once heat has been built up in the unit, it can be operated all day, as many times as required.

The difference in operation between the invention and other flashover units is that other units produce an actual small flashover by introducing an oxygen supply. This invention creates a flashover by introducing fuel to a heated unit.

DESCRIPTION A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows a top view of the unit and FIGURE 2 shows a side elevation with the actual fuel injection system.

Referring to the drawings (figure 1) - the flashover simulator is constructed from a 40' x 8' fabricated haulage container. The area (A) is 8' x 8' and double skinned steel lined on all sides.

Internal doors (1) are provided to be closed when the unit is ignited in order for heat from fire (2) to be transferred to the structure of the unit. Vent (3) is provided at low level in order to provide an air supply to fire as heat is generated initially. Door (4) is supplied to allow access to fire and additional air supply for initialignition. Box (5) is supplied for housing fuel injection system (see Figure 2). Side vents at high level (6) & (7) are for use during simulation as is roofvent (8).

Doors (9) & (10) are used for access/egress by students and instructors. In figure 2 (side elevation) shows housing for fuel injection system (5). Inside housing (5) is a pressure vessel t I I) containing fuel. Pressure vessel is pressurised by compressed gas cylinder (12) attached to front of pressure vessel.

Pressure vessel is fitted with wheels in order for the vessel to be removed when filling and changing gas cylinders.

Flexible 1" hose (14) connects pressure vessel to 1/2; cast iron piping (15) which delivers fuel into the unit via sparge pipe (16) inside the simulator.

Gas cylinder is fitted with pressure gauge and cylinder valve to control flow of gas into pressure vesseL The pressure vessel itself has a pressure relief valve (17). Fitted to the delivery pipe (15) are two ball valves (18), one to provide fusel to the simulator, the other to provide fail safe back up in case of one valve failing.

To operate the simulator a fire (class A wood) is lit at (2). The inner doors (1) are bolted shut and the unit is left for 30 minutes to heat up area (A). Door (4) is closed, doors (9) and (10) are open at all times. Vent (3) is open to allow air circulation. Vents (6) and (7) remain open at all times. Roof vent (8) is for emergencies and when open will vent all products of combustion to atmosphere.

When there is sufficient heat in area (A), the inner doors (1) are opened. Pressure vessel (11) is pressurised to 80 p.s.i from compressed gas cylinder (12) using Co2. Fuel (hydrocarbons) is then injected through pipe (15) and sparge pipe (16) onto fire creating flashover inside the simulator.

Valves (18) are used to limit the amount offuel going into the unit.

Claims (5)

1. A flashover simulator constructed from a fabricated road container, providing realistic training by creating a flashover in safe, controlled conditions.

2. A flashover simulator as claimed in claim 1 which produces a flashover by injecting fuel into a simulator by means of a pressure vessel using hydrocarbons as fueL

3. A flashover simulator as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2 whereby doors and vents are used to control the build up of heat and release of products of combustion.

4. A flashover simulator claimed in Claim 2 and 3 whereby fuel is injected into the unit by means of pipes and sparge pipe to atomise fueL

5. A flashover simulator substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 ofthe accompanying drawings.