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Tire Fire Test
Tire Fire Test | Tire Fire Test |
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OVERALL EVALUATION AND CONCLUSIONS Based on the results of these tests, it was shown that AFF was extremely successful in extinguishing tire fires. In completely extinguishing AND cooling the five (5) tires that were ignited, a total of only 4.28 gallons of AFF was applied. Further, the total time required for extinguishment AND cooling the tires and rims for tires was as low as only 3 seconds. The 9 seconds included extinguishing both of the two burning side-by-side tires PLUS extinguishment of the Accelerant remaining in the pan. In addition, the application of the AFF provided cooling so that the firemen were immediately able to touch both the extinguished tires and the rims. These tests clearly demonstrate that the application of AFF using a standard, air-pressure extinguisher can completely extinguish a burning tire and render it "cool to the touch" with less than 3/4 of a gallon and easily in less than ten (10) seconds. Statements from the two Tulsa Fire Department Firemen who performed these tests indicated that the "normal" method used by their department in extinguishing tire fires was to apply a substantial volume of water and some dry chemical. They were substantially impressed with the results they witnessed in these tests using Arctic Fire-Freeze™. DATE: April 15, 2007 - LOCATION: Rural Tulsa - Oklahoma
Participants/Observers:
David Osborne - Fireman - Tulsa Fire Dept Conditions:
ANALYTICAL DATA Test Plan:
(Note: tell-tale burning accelerant overflow on ground and in pan in Photo 4 while tires in GSL tests (Photo 3) are shown to be truly actively burning and on fire). Test No. 1In the first test, 2 standard (used) tires were secured to the test structure and Accelerant was applied directly to the tires prior to ignition. Additional Accelerant was applied after the test was initiated in order to increase the combustion of the tires. After the initiation of the ignition, the tires were allowed to burn for 7.25 minutes to insure that the rubber was on fire and that the flames were not simply from combustion of the Accelerant. (Photo 5). 
Photo 05 Accelerant
A spray container was filled with a mixture of 50% Kerosene / 50% Diesel and used as the Accelerant. The test protocol was defined to spray the Accelerant directly on the tire(s) at the start of each test and to continue the spray until the rubber was definitely ignited and there was sustained combustion of the tire(s). This is as opposed to merely filling the pan with Accelerant, which does not guarantee the involvement of the tires themselves prior to the Accelerant burn-out. Quantity of AccelerantThe total volume of Accelerant used in all three (3) of the tests in which 5 tires were ignited was only 1.5 gallons with the average of 0.3 gallons per ignited tire. During the second test, involving only a single tire, a small amount (less than 0.1 gallon) of diesel fuel was placed in the pan below the tire prior to Accelerant ignition. Quantity of Water in PanA small amount of water was poured into the pan under the tire supports in order to reduce any warpage of the pan and to reduce the potential of combustion outside of the test structure. Extinguisher DataThe tests were conducted using four (4) extinguishers filled with the AFF product. The extinguishers were standard 2.5 gallon GSL Model 250 units with an aspirating nozzle under initial air pressure of 100 psi (prior to use). Extinguishment: Prior to the initiation of each test, the weight of the extinguishers – filled with AFF was measured on an electronic scale and recorded. The weight was measured and recorded again after the completion of each test. Time Required For ExtinguishmentAfter the initial burn period, the Firemen approached the test structure and activated the extinguishers on the tires. Within 50 seconds after initiating the application of the AFF the fire was totally extinguished. Some time was expended in the Firemen becoming familiar with the new (to them) AFF product. Quantity AppliedIn this first test, the two extinguishers applied a total of eleven (11) pounds of AFF to completely extinguish AND cool the tires. This equals a volume of only 1.22 gallons of Arctic Fire-Freeze™ with a significant amount of this volume being applied after the fire was completely extinguished to cool the tires and rims. Final Observation: In this first test, the Accelerant had completely combusted and the flames were from the combustion of the tires. The fire was quickly extinguished, and after applying additional AFF for cooling, the Firemen were immediately able to touch the tires with bare hands. This was the first experience of the firemen with the product and the extinguishers and the 50 seconds of AFF application used on the tires was not related only to extinguishment but due to the firemen becoming familiar with the product use. Test No. 2In the second test, one standard (used) tire was secured to the test structure and Accelerant was applied directly to the tire prior to ignition and additional Accelerant was applied after the test was initiated in order to increase the combustion of the tire. In addition, approximately 0.1 gallons of diesel fuel was poured into the pan under the tire to provide additional accelerant to initiate the fire. After the initiation of the ignition, the tire was allowed to burn until the rubber was on fire and the flames were not simply from the combustion of the Accelerant. Time Required For ExtinguishmentAfter the initial burn period, one Fireman approached the test structure and activated an extinguisher on the tire. Within less than 20 seconds after initiating the application of the AFF the fire was totally extinguished and cool to the touch. Quantity of AFF AppliedIn this test, the extinguisher applied six (6) pounds of Arctic Fire-Freeze to completely extinguish and cool the tires. This equals a volume of only 0.67 gallons of Arctic Fire-Freeze with much of this volume being applied after the fire was completely extinguished to cool the tire AND the rim. Final Observation: In this test, the Accelerant had completely combusted and the flames were from the combustion of the tires. The fire was quickly extinguished, and after applying additional Arctic Fire-Freeze for cooling, the Fireman was immediately able to touch the tire with his bare hand. As the firemen gained more experience and confidence with the product and the extinguishers, they were able to more quickly extinguish the fire and used less product. Test No. 3
Photo 06
Photo 6 rubber was on fire and that the flames were not simply from combustion of the Accelerant. Time Required For ExtinguishmentAfter the initial burn period, the Firemen approached the test structure and activated two (2) extinguishers on the tires. In less than 3 seconds after initiating application of the AFF, the tire fire was totally extinguished on both tires and within 9 seconds, the Accelerant fire in the pan was extinguished. (See, Video). Quantity of AFF Applied
Photo 07
On the other tire, the Fireman applied a total of 15.5 pounds (approximately 1.7 gallons), however, this Fireman continued to apply the Arctic Fire-Freeze to both the front and backside of both tires to provide additional cooling of the tires and the rims. (Photo 7). The total amount of Arctic Fire-Freeze that was applied from both extinguishers was only 21.5 pounds which is only 2.37 gallons of Arctic Fire-Freeze with a majority of this volume applied after the fire was completely extinguished to cool the tires and rims. (Photo 8) Final Observation
Photo 08
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