GB2345849A - Fire Extinguishant - Google Patents

Fire Extinguishant Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2345849A
GB2345849A GB9900637A GB9900637A GB2345849A GB 2345849 A GB2345849 A GB 2345849A GB 9900637 A GB9900637 A GB 9900637A GB 9900637 A GB9900637 A GB 9900637A GB 2345849 A GB2345849 A GB 2345849A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
weight
potassium
acid salt
fire
proportion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9900637A
Other versions
GB2345849B (en
Inventor
Frank Fitch
Devang Patel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Chubb Fire Ltd
Original Assignee
Chubb Fire Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Chubb Fire Ltd filed Critical Chubb Fire Ltd
Priority to GB9900637A priority Critical patent/GB2345849B/en
Priority to AU10563/00A priority patent/AU1056300A/en
Priority to PCT/GB1999/003620 priority patent/WO2000041770A1/en
Priority to EP99954124A priority patent/EP1064055A1/en
Publication of GB2345849A publication Critical patent/GB2345849A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2345849B publication Critical patent/GB2345849B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62DCHEMICAL MEANS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES OR FOR COMBATING OR PROTECTING AGAINST HARMFUL CHEMICAL AGENTS; CHEMICAL MATERIALS FOR USE IN BREATHING APPARATUS
    • A62D1/00Fire-extinguishing compositions; Use of chemical substances in extinguishing fires
    • A62D1/0071Foams
    • A62D1/0085Foams containing perfluoroalkyl-terminated surfactant
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62DCHEMICAL MEANS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES OR FOR COMBATING OR PROTECTING AGAINST HARMFUL CHEMICAL AGENTS; CHEMICAL MATERIALS FOR USE IN BREATHING APPARATUS
    • A62D1/00Fire-extinguishing compositions; Use of chemical substances in extinguishing fires
    • A62D1/0071Foams

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Fire-Extinguishing Compositions (AREA)

Abstract

A fire extinguishant solution consisting of a modified aqueous fire fighting foam and a salt selected from a group containing potassium lactate, a glycollic acid salt, a lactic acid salt, a hydroxybutyric acid salt, a tartaric acid salt, potassium glycollate, potassium hydroxybutyrate and potassium tartrate, wherein the aqueous fire fighting foam is modified by the removal of a foam boosting component such as butyl diglycol.

Description

2345849 FIRE EXTINGUISHANT The present invention relates to a fire
extinguishant solution.
According to the present invention there is provided a fire extinguishant solution consisting of a modified aqueous fire fighting foam and a salt selected from a group containing potassium lactate, a glycollic acid salt, a lactic acid salt, a hydroxybutyric acid salt, a tartaric acid salt, potassium glycollate, potassium hydroxybutyrate and potassium tartrate, wherein the aqueous fire fighting foam is modified by the removal of a foam boosting component such as butyl diglycol.
According to the invention, there is also provided a fire extinguishant solution consisting of a salt selected from a group containing potassium lactate, a glycolIic acid salt, a lactic acid salt, a hydroxybutyric acid salt, a tartaric acid salt, potassium glycollate, potassium hydroxybutyrate and potassium tartrate in a proportion from 5 weight % to 60 weight %, a fluorosurfactant in a proportion from 0.02 weight % to 1 weight %, a hydrocarbon surfactant in a proportion from 0.05 weight % to 0.5 weight %, and a trace of biocide, the remainder being water.
Fire extinguishant solutions in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example.
2 It is desirable to combine the benefits of foam extinguishants with the fast fire knockdown effect of fire extinguishing powders. However, an extinguishant combining a salt such as potassium lactate or citrate with a fluorosurfactant has been found to be unstable and unsatisfactory.
An alternative approach is to combine an aqueous foam fire fighting compound (AFFF) with a salt such a potassium lactate. This is also unsatisfactory since the resulting solution is unclear and unstable and has an increased viscosity.
It has been found, however, in accordance with the invention that an AFFF which has been modified by the removal of the foam booster (typically butyl diglycol) provides a highly effective fire extinguishant when combined with a salt such as potassium lactate. Furthermore, the resulting water-based compound has a low freeze temperature (being usable at temperatures less than -30' Q and provides a cost-effective method of producing small particles of extinguishant within a fire for more effective fire-fighting. Furthermore, the fire extinguishant has an approximately neutral PH, is non-toxic, and it improves on powder base extinguishants in that it is easier to distribute through pipework without clogging and is easier to clean up after discharge. It also provides a more effective fire extinguishant than water or a foam/water mix.
Although potassium lactate is the preferred salt, salts of glycollic acid, lactic acid, 3 hydroxybutyric acid and tartaric acid may be used. Also potassium glycollate, potassium hydroxybutyrate or potassium tartrate salts may be used.
The preferred composition is 5 weight % to 60 weight % potassium lactate, 0.02 weight % to I weight % fluorosurfactant, 0.05 weight % to 0.5 weight % hydrocarbon surfactant, and a trace of biocide, the remainder being water.
Comparative tests using this composition have been conducted on a 1 m' test rig with all sides covered apart from the front. An obstruction in the form of a car engine was placed in the centre of the rig and the extinguishant agents were discharged via horizontal jets or overhead sprays. Five litres of diesel with 1 litre of petrol floating on a water base was used as the fuel. The fire was allowed to bum for 30 seconds to allow for full fire involvement of the diesel before extinguishant actuation.
The following results were obtained:
AGENT EXTINCTION TIME DISCHARGE TIME COMMENTS (Seconds) (Seconds) PREFERRED COMPOSITION 250 ml(210gms) 1.6 Fire almost extinguished Preferred Composition 500 ml(420gms) - - Fire extinguished Preferred Composition I Litre (0.83kg) 2.89 8.17 Fire extinguished Preferred Composition I Litre (0.83kg) 0.51 3.58 Fire extinguished easily Preferred Composition 4 COMPARATIVE TESTS 9 It (9kg) AFFF premix 45 106 Fire extinguished 0.25 kg Halon 1211 1.63 4.17 Fire extinguished 0.5 kg Halon 1211 1.38 2.89 Fire extinguished 0.5 kg FM200 2.90 5.46 Fire just extinguished 0.5 kg FE36 5.63 Fire was not extinguished These tests show that the preferred composition has a better performance than AFFF premix, FM200 and FE36. The performance approaches that of Halon 1211.
The preferred extinguishant may be used for fixed systems and portable appliances. Potassium lactate is non-toxic and generally harmless.
In operation, the various components of the extinguishant contribute to the extinguishing action. Thus, the water cools the flammable liquid to below its ignition temperature and the fire goes out. The limiting factor is the droplet size; hence the success of mist and fog systems as compared to jets of water. The smaller the droplet size the greater the surface area, and the more effective the spray. The water droplets absorb heat as they boil and turn to water vapour. This water vapour also takes up significantly more volume, thus diluting the local oxygen level. The addition of the modified AFFF reduces the surface tension of the water to below 20mN/m, and the water forms smaller droplets. The greater surface area of the smaller droplets increases the speed of operation of the extinguishant. Finally, the potassium lactate is broken down by the fire. Heat is absorbed as the compound breaks down and potassium ions are liberated which break the 'fire chain'. Potassium lactate absorbs more energy as it breaks down than potassium bicarbonate which has been used as an extinguishant. The solution droplets entering the combustion zone and impinging on the hot surfaces will release the potassium lactate from the solution.

Claims (1)

  1. 6 CLAIMS
    1. A fire extinguishant solution consisting of a modified aqueous fire fighting foam and a salt selected from a group containing potassium lactate, a glycollic acid salt, a lactic acid salt, a hydroxybutyric acid salt, a tartaric acid salt, potassium glycollate, potassium hydroxybutyrate and potassium tartrate, wherein the aqueous fire fighting foam is modified by the removal of a foam boosting component such as butyl diglycol.
    2. A fire extinguishant solution according to claim 1, wherein the salt is present in a proportion of from 5 weight % to 60 weight %.
    3. A fire extinguishant solution according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fluorosurfactant is present in a proportion of from 0.02 weight % to 1 weight %.
    4. A f ire extinguishant solution according to any preceding claim, wherein the hydrocarbon surfactant is present in a proportion from 0.05 weight % to 0.5 weight %.
    5. A fire extinguishant solution consisting of a salt selected from a group containing potassium lactate, a glycollic acid salt, a lactic acid salt, a hydroxy butyric acid salt, a tartaric acid salt, potassium glycollate, potassium hydroxybutyrate and potassium tartrate in a proportion from 5 weight % to 60 weight %, a fluorosurfactant in a proportion from 7 0.02 weight % to I weight %, a hydrocarbon surfactant in a proportion from 0.05 weight % to 0.5 weight %, and a trace of biocide, the remainder being water.
    6. A fire extinguishant solution including a modified AFFF as described herein.
GB9900637A 1999-01-12 1999-01-12 Fire extinguishant Expired - Fee Related GB2345849B (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9900637A GB2345849B (en) 1999-01-12 1999-01-12 Fire extinguishant
AU10563/00A AU1056300A (en) 1999-01-12 1999-11-02 Fire extinguishant
PCT/GB1999/003620 WO2000041770A1 (en) 1999-01-12 1999-11-02 Fire extinguishant
EP99954124A EP1064055A1 (en) 1999-01-12 1999-11-02 Fire extinguishant

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9900637A GB2345849B (en) 1999-01-12 1999-01-12 Fire extinguishant

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2345849A true GB2345849A (en) 2000-07-26
GB2345849B GB2345849B (en) 2003-02-12

Family

ID=10845880

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9900637A Expired - Fee Related GB2345849B (en) 1999-01-12 1999-01-12 Fire extinguishant

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1064055A1 (en)
AU (1) AU1056300A (en)
GB (1) GB2345849B (en)
WO (1) WO2000041770A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107469268A (en) * 2017-10-10 2017-12-15 深圳国信利纾消防设备科技有限公司 Water-based extinguishing agent
GB2575988A (en) * 2018-07-30 2020-02-05 Kingspan Holdings Irl Ltd Phenolic foam and method of manufacture thereof

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN100469404C (en) * 2003-12-26 2009-03-18 中国科学技术大学 Additive for water-mist fire suppression system
CN1915461B (en) * 2006-09-07 2010-08-18 广州市花都区花东南方林业扑火工具厂 Extinguishing agent and manufacturing method
CN102083500A (en) 2008-05-30 2011-06-01 基迪-芬沃尔公司 Fire extinguishing composition

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS4914197B1 (en) * 1970-12-31 1974-04-05
GB1596045A (en) * 1977-04-20 1981-08-19 Dunlop Ltd Fire extinguishants
GB1601537A (en) * 1977-06-21 1981-10-28 Philadelphia Surburban Corp Fire-fighting concentrate
US4756839A (en) * 1986-03-26 1988-07-12 Curzon Jon L Fire extinguishing composition
DE4108341A1 (en) * 1991-03-14 1992-09-17 Guenther Rottmann Gmbh Water-based fire extinguisher compsns. for class A fires e.g. wood, textiles, etc. - contg. potassium hydrogen tartrate, potassium carbonate and surfactant
EP0609827A1 (en) * 1993-02-04 1994-08-10 WORMALD U.S., Inc. Aqueous film forming foam concentrates for hydrophilic combustible liquids and method for modifying viscosity of same
JPH07171228A (en) * 1993-12-17 1995-07-11 Yamato Protec Co Method for fire fighting

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE634505A (en) * 1962-08-03
DD106123A3 (en) * 1972-04-19 1974-06-12
JPS55184A (en) * 1979-04-09 1980-01-05 Fukada Kogyo Kk Bubble quenching agent
DE3037155A1 (en) * 1980-10-01 1982-05-06 Hoechst Ag, 6000 Frankfurt FOAM DELETE CONCENTRATE AND ITS USE
DE4120993A1 (en) * 1991-03-14 1992-12-10 Guenther Rottmann Gmbh Fire extinguisher solns. for class=A fires - contg. potassium hydrogen tartrate and di:potassium tartrate, (bi)carbonate or (di)hydrogen phosphate, surfactant, preservative and antioxidant
GB2331457B (en) * 1997-11-12 2001-07-04 Graviner Ltd Kidde Fire or explosion suppressants and methods

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS4914197B1 (en) * 1970-12-31 1974-04-05
GB1596045A (en) * 1977-04-20 1981-08-19 Dunlop Ltd Fire extinguishants
GB1601537A (en) * 1977-06-21 1981-10-28 Philadelphia Surburban Corp Fire-fighting concentrate
US4756839A (en) * 1986-03-26 1988-07-12 Curzon Jon L Fire extinguishing composition
DE4108341A1 (en) * 1991-03-14 1992-09-17 Guenther Rottmann Gmbh Water-based fire extinguisher compsns. for class A fires e.g. wood, textiles, etc. - contg. potassium hydrogen tartrate, potassium carbonate and surfactant
EP0609827A1 (en) * 1993-02-04 1994-08-10 WORMALD U.S., Inc. Aqueous film forming foam concentrates for hydrophilic combustible liquids and method for modifying viscosity of same
JPH07171228A (en) * 1993-12-17 1995-07-11 Yamato Protec Co Method for fire fighting

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
WPI Abstract Accession No. 74-33616V & JP490014197B (SANYO) *
WPI Abstract Accession No. 92-317101 & DE4108341A (ROTTMANN) *
WPI Abstract Accession No. 95-271508 & JP070171228A (YAMATO) *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107469268A (en) * 2017-10-10 2017-12-15 深圳国信利纾消防设备科技有限公司 Water-based extinguishing agent
CN107469268B (en) * 2017-10-10 2021-05-18 广东国信融资租赁有限公司 Water-based fire extinguishing agent
GB2575988A (en) * 2018-07-30 2020-02-05 Kingspan Holdings Irl Ltd Phenolic foam and method of manufacture thereof
GB2575988B (en) * 2018-07-30 2020-07-22 Kingspan Holdings Irl Ltd Phenolic foam and method of manufacture thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1064055A1 (en) 2001-01-03
WO2000041770A1 (en) 2000-07-20
GB2345849B (en) 2003-02-12
AU1056300A (en) 2000-08-01

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20130112