Burning characteristics of selected substances: Influence of suppression with water

The influence of suppression with water spray on the burning characteristics and composition of fire effluents of nylon, polypropylene and two industrial chemicals was investigated. The experiments were performed using a controlled‐atmosphere cone calorimeter in which the ventilation conditions could be altered. The water spray was applied with a single horizontally positioned nozzle. In the experiments time to ignition, rate of heat release, sample weight and smoke production as well as the composition of the fire effluents were measured; the chemical analysis techniques employed were Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. The results give quantified information on the effects that water application may have on the burning and the properties of the exhaust gases. A comparison with results of similar experiments with no water application reveal notable changes, e.g. in the production of the toxic fire effluents.