Evaluation of the Door Fan Pressurization Leakage Test Method Applied to Halon 1301 Total Flooding Systems

Abstract

In view of current and future regulations on the emissions of Halon 1301 due to its con tribution to stratospheric ozone depletion, alternatives to total flooding discharge tests with Halon 1301 are desirable. An important aspect of these tests is the determination of the leakage rate of the Halon 1301-air mixture from the enclosure.

One method for estimating leakage is the door fan pressurization test. This test was evaluated on its ability to estimate both the total leakage area and the interface decay rate.

This test procedure was found to be an adequate method to estimate the leakage rate from an enclosure, if a distribution of the leakage area over the compartment boundary can be assumed.

Equations relating the leakage area to the interface descent or Halon 1301 concentration decay are derived for the stratified or well mixed case respectively. Typical simplifications of these equations (flow exponent, leakage area distribution, etc.) are also given.

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