ON PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED WHEN TESTING FLAME AND DETONATION ARRESTERS TO BS-7244

The paper first describes some of the difficulties encountered whilst establishing a facility to test flame and detonation arresters in acco rdance with British Standard BS 7244. Initial attempts at refining the details of the experimental procedure are then described. Some more g eneral aspects of the recommended test procedures are also discussed. For flame arresters the validity of the current assessment parameter i s questioned and a possible method for the generation of overdriven de tonation waves is outlined. Finally, some suggestions are made of poin ts that should be considered when the standard is next reviewed.