"This looks like antifreeze systems need to be investigated by NIST to determine the dangers." Rahe, was that said tongue in cheek? Yes, ethylene glycol is a combustible liquid, but the important point of measure is the flashpoint of the mixture with water. Off hand I do not know what that would be, but water mixed with isopropanol raises the flashpoint significantly. Try lighting a glass of wine vs 151 proof rum. A few years back there was a Swedish study of antifreeze in systems. There was a measurable increase in burning rate briefly upon system discharge until the water behind the antifreeze got there. My recollection is that it was deemed not significant compared to the delay of dry or pre-action systems. Bottom line from reading that article is that they are looking at all possibilities, as is recommended by NFPA 921, and then ruling them out as they gather information. Pouring water on burning grease that is well above the boiling point of water is likely to create quite a volume of burning grease when the water sinks to the bottom of the pan and then flashes to vapor. That will probably end up being the focus of their investigation.
Dave David A. de Vries, P.E., CSP Firetech Engineering Incorporated --- On Thu, 10/22/09, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote: From: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Report: Antifreeze sprinkler system may have contributed to fatal explosion To: [email protected], "Richard Mote" <[email protected]> Date: Thursday, October 22, 2009, 3:44 PM Why is there an antifreeze system inside a building? Not knowing what was used in the system, here is the info from the ethylene glycol MSDS: Section 5: Fire and Explosion Data Flammability of the Product: May be combustible at high temperature. Auto-Ignition Temperature: 398°C (748.4°F) Flash Points: CLOSED CUP: 111°C (231.8°F). (Tagliabue.) Flammable Limits: LOWER: 3.2% Products of Combustion: These products are carbon oxides (CO, CO2). Fire Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: Slightly flammable to flammable in presence of open flames and sparks, of heat. Non-flammable in presence of shocks. This looks like antifreeze systems need to be investigated by NIST to determine the dangers. Thank You Rahe Loftin, P.E. Region 7 - GSA Office - 817-978-7299 Fax - 817-978-8644 Cell - 817-371-3102 "Richard Mote" <rich...@rowespri To nkler.com> <[email protected]> Sent by: cc sprinklerforum-bo un...@firesprinkl Subject er.org Report: Antifreeze sprinkler system may have contributed to fatal explosion 10/22/2009 03:18 PM Please respond to sprinklerfo...@fi resprinkler.org; Please respond to Richard Mote <rich...@rowespri nkler.com> Say What? http://www.sierrasun.com/article/20091020/NEWS/910169995/1066&ParentProfile=1051 _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
