Comparing the relative effectiveness of suppressant enhancers designed for the direct attack of wildfires

Author:

Plucinski, Matt ; Sullivan, Andrew ; Hurley, Richard

Date of Publication:

2017-01-01

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Journal Title:

Fire Safety Journal

Volume:

87

Issue:

1

Pages:

71-79

Abstract:

Suppressant chemicals are often added to water for use in the direct attack of wildfires to extend the longevity and suppression effects of the water. There are a range of suppressants available, however there has been limited testing to determine which are the most effective. This paper presents an experimental methodology designed to compare the relative effectiveness of wildfire suppressants applied in direct attack to fires in forest fuels. The method involves suppressants being applied onto the flaming fronts of standardised laboratory fires burning in eucalypt litter fuels within a wind tunnel through a pressurised system mounted above the burning fuel. The minimum volume of suppressant required to extinguish a standard fire is determined and used to quantify suppressant effectiveness. Examples of the method are presented for plain water and water with three types of wildfire suppression additive. Results show that repeated tests conducted with the same suppressants have low variability and thus high reliability but can be affected by the moisture content of the fuel.

Publisher:

Elsevier

Keywords:

wildfire, bushfire, suppression, suppressants

Field Of Research:

Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2016.12.005

Identifier:

EP163831

Publication Sub Type:

Journal article - Refereed

Language:

English

Attribution Statement:

Plucinski, Matt; Sullivan, Andrew; Hurley, Richard. Comparing the relative effectiveness of suppressant enhancers designed for the direct attack of wildfires. Fire Safety Journal. 2017; 87(1):71-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2016.12.005