FTIR SPECTROSCOPIC MEASUREMENT OF HALOGENATED COMPOUNDS PRODUCED DURING FIRE SUPPRESSION TESTS OF 2 HALON REPLACEMENTS

During full-scale fire suppression tests using HFC-227ea and HCFC Blen d A, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic method was used to m onitor the gas composition of the air in a 121 m(3) test compartment. These agents were observed to produce halogenated compounds during the tests. The production of the halogenated gas compounds depended on th e type and concentration of the agents and on the size and extinguishm ent time of the test fires. Quantitative analysis of infrared spectra indicated that the concentrations of the halogenated compounds were at dangerous levels during suppression. Safety measures should be taken to prevent persons from being exposed to these toxic gas compounds and to minimize potential corrosion damage to equipment. (C) 1998 Nationa l Research Council of Canada. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All r ights reserved.