DETERMINATION OF FIRE HAZARD IN A FIVE PSIA OXYGEN ATMOSPHERE

Abstract
A physiologically tolerable oxygen mixture/pressure was investigated for the possible external fire hazard existing therein. As compared to the control experiment at sea level pressure in air, it was found that paper ignited at a lower temperature and burned approximately six times as fast in the 5 psia oxygen atmosphere. Neoprene dated nylon twill, light weight nylon, and vinyl plastic all ignited whereas in the control condition they had not ignited but melted. The sacrificed rat was merely singed on its exposed side in the control condition, but the two rats exposed in the 5 psia oxygen atmosphere were burned over their entire body. Toweling material used to test its smothering properties burst completely into flame within one-half second of contact with the fire whereas in the control condition it extinguished the burning paper in one-fourth second.

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