Smoke Control and Toxic Gas Removal: A Synergistic Use of Collective Protection System

A series of preliminary tests were conducted to determine the potential effectiveness of a collective protection system (CPS) for removing fire-induced smoke and toxic gases on ships of the U.S. Navy. Chemical smoke was introduced into a compartment which was pre-heated to 400°C (752°F) to simulate a shipboard fire. Smoke migration and intensity were then measured under various CPS operating conditions. Two additional full-scale tests were subsequently conducted, using small quantities of Class A/Class B combustibles (5 pounds of shredded cardboard, 2.5 pounds of foam rubber and 2 quarts of marine diesel fuel). The results of these tests indicate that a CPS may be effective in removing smoke and toxic gases from shipboard fires.