A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
The increase in reported engine compartment fires by the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFTRS) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has increased the importance of investigating and documenting vehicle fires. This along with the increase of polymers and changes in battery power in the engine compartment of vehicles being produced, make it essential to better understand the origin and cause of these fires. This paper will address the usage and effectiveness of shielding hot surfaces, containment systems for fuels, electrical system wiring and pyrotechnical safety cutoff switches. The majority (65%) of vehicle fires originate in the engine compartment, running gear, or wheel area. The same statistics show that mechanical failure or malfunction and electrical failure or malfunction contributed to 49% and 23% of vehicle fires respectively. Arcing as a heat source accounted for 21% of vehicle fires reported. These statistics show that a leading cause of post-accident fires is electrical in nature; with the first fuel ignited being the insulation of electrical wires and cables. This paper will discuss the testing and documentation of engine compartment fires as well as the research of other fire scientists regarding engine compartment fires. The routing of electrical cables and entry areas that exist in the firewall / bulkhead will also be discussed related to engine compartment fires and the entry of fire into the occupant compartment of vehicles. Tests of engine fluids on hot surfaces have been conducted by several laboratory testing facilities to determine the approximate temperatures at which engine fluids will ignite. The investigation of engine fluids on hot surfaces of the engine compartments of vehicles will be addressed in this publication.
The increase in reported engine compartment fires by the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFTRS) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has increased the importance of investigating and documenting vehicle fires. This along with the increase of polymers and changes in battery power in the engine compartment of vehicles being produced, make it essential to better understand the origin and cause of these fires. This paper will address the usage and effectiveness of shielding hot surfaces, containment systems for fuels, electrical system wiring and pyrotechnical safety cutoff switches. The majority (65%) of vehicle fires originate in the engine compartment, running gear, or wheel area. The same statistics show that mechanical failure or malfunction and electrical failure or malfunction contributed to 49% and 23% of vehicle fires respectively. Arcing as a heat source accounted for 21% of vehicle fires reported. These statistics show that a leading cause of post-accident fires is electrical in nature; with the first fuel ignited being the insulation of electrical wires and cables. This paper will discuss the testing and documentation of engine compartment fires as well as the research of other fire scientists regarding engine compartment fires. The routing of electrical cables and entry areas that exist in the firewall / bulkhead will also be discussed related to engine compartment fires and the entry of fire into the occupant compartment of vehicles. Tests of engine fluids on hot surfaces have been conducted by several laboratory testing facilities to determine the approximate temperatures at which engine fluids will ignite. The investigation of engine fluids on hot surfaces of the engine compartments of vehicles will be addressed in this publication.
Vehicle engine compartment fires
Cope, Cam (author)
2009
19 Seiten, 28 Bilder, 20 Quellen
Conference paper
Storage medium
English
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