Evaluation and Testing of Rail Transit Undercar Fire Detection and Suppression Systems

Details

• Creators:
  Ketola, H. N.
• Corporate Creators:
  Ketron, Inc.
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Urban Mass Transportation Administration ; John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Evaluation
  • Fire detection systems
  • Fire fighting
  • Gases
  • Laboratory tests
  • Light rail vehicles
  • Rapid transit cars
  • Testing
• Publication/ Report Number:
  UMTA-MA-06-0120-89-1;DOT-TSC-UMTA-89-2
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.21949/1526990
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. Urban Mass Transportation Administration
• Abstract:
  This document presents the results of a comprehensive review and evaluation of transit undercar fire detection and suppression methods. The evaluation of fire detection method resulted in a recommendation that continuous wire type linear thermal detectors be applied to critical components in the undercar area. Halon 1301 extinguishing systems were identified as the best choice for control of fires occurring in enclosed equipment compartments, e.g., the motor control group. A laboratory test program using an instrumented motor control group box from a NYCTA transit car was conducted at the Budd Company Technical Center under subcontract to KETRON. The laboratory program included tests on flow and thermal characteristics of the box; power arc-induced electrical cable fires; linear and spot thermal detector performance; Halon 1301 extinguishing system performance; and testing of a novel suppression concept involving the use of a portable nitrogen gas generator to provide an inerting atmosphere in the motor control group box for continuous protection. A field test program of selected methods at a transit property is recommended.
• Format:
  PDF
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/11320/dot_11320_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 6.53 MB]
• Collection(s):
  Volpe Center
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:f29993da0f399fafd77fbd59f4d29b37465ba5bfed57bdace06a5db44e64b8a4