Test Current Experimental Method
Scientific test tubes [20]
In order to help determine what faults exist in the experimental methods used to test fire extinguishing systems it would be ideal to perform experiments to determine if potential aspects of the system which aren't tested should be, e.g. does it make much difference if the system is used in one long continuous use or in short bursts. From these experiments the faults can be better highlighted allowing for an improved new experimental method with evidence to prove that any potential changes from the standard method do make a difference. This part of the experimentation will probably not happen as it is unlikely it will be possible with tight financial restraints; however it may be possible to do some tests on the current experimental methods for an extremely low cost, which shall be investigated. It is difficult to predict what this section could involve but there are a few initial thoughts of what experiments could be done:
- Do the effects of a long continuous blast of extinguishing agent (or water mist) alter test results compared to short bursts from the system?
- How significant is the stage and size of the fire in the test?
- If numerical analysis of extinguishing systems in the analysis section is done, how accurate is it?
- How well does the extinguishing agent (or water mist) spread, does the test consider this enough?
- Does the test consider fuel fires or composite fires? Does it matter if it doesn't?
- There are other experiments that would be interesting but are (almost certainly) impossible and should be included in the things which could not be included in the thesis section, like: Comparing test results of water mist system a gas extinguishing system and halon system, using the standard testing method, and do an experiment in a pressurised environment to represent the interior of an airplane