Basic Fire Knowledge Flashcards
Muster Standards
AS5062:2016 is the Australian Standard for Fire Protection for Mobile and Transportable Equipment
AS5062 Standard is recognised
Global certification body, British Standards Institution (BSI).
Who can install Muster Fire Suppression Systems?
“All fire protection equipment, including detection, warning, actuation, suppression and shutdown equipment, shall be designed and installed by competent people endorsed by the system manufacturer.”
Ref. Australian Standard 5062:2016, Section 5.8
A.S. Fire Classifications
Class A – Ordinary Combustibles
Class B – Flammable Liquids
Class C – Flammable Gases
Class D – Combustible Metals
Class E – Electrical Equipment
Class F – Cooking Oils and Fats
Class B – Flammable Liquids
Diesel
Petrol
Hydraulic fluid
Grease
Lacquer
Resin
Tar
Ether
Alcohol
Oils
Tuff Unit Specs
Muster also has the TUFF, transferable unit for firefighting. The TUFF is available in 38ltr, 66ltr and 110ltr capacities with the option of standard pressure (1370kPa) when charging with nitrogen, or low pressure (700kPa) when charging with compressed air. The unit comes complete with a 15m retractable hose reel fitted with a foam aeration nozzle and control ball-valve.
Question?
If a machine is fitted with a fire suppression system, why do we still need to install a separate fire extinguisher?
- A fire may occur in a space not protected by the suppression system.
- The suppression system may put out most of a fire allowing the operator or other personnel to intervene and mop up residual fires before they can re-establish.
The Fire Pyramid
Oxygen, Heat, Fuel and Chemical Reaction must be present to sustain combustion.
Fire Suppressants commonly used on diesel mobile equipment:
AFFF or F3 – Aqueous Film Forming Foam or Fluorine Free Foam
DCP – Dry Chemical Powder
SAG – Solid Aerosol Generators
WC – Wet Chemical or Muster Advanced Agent (sub-zero environments)
Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) and Fluorine Free Foam (F3)
The Muster fire suppression system utilises a pre-mixed solution using a 1% C6 concentrate for AFFF and a 1% concentrate for F3, however F3 is mixed at a 2% ratio.
There are different foams for different applications – e.g. concentrates suitable for use with diesel fuel fires are not suitable for alcohol-based fires or fires involving polar solvents.
Why use foam concentrate?
Foam is the leading agent used to combat large Class B oil and fuel fires because it interrupts the fire chain reaction by blanketing the fuel, sealing the vapours and denying the oxygen to the fire.
It provides fast knock down of the fire and a cooling effect which assists in preventing reignition.
Foams are manufactured to a specific concentration, typically 1%, 3% or 6%,
Muster C6 AFFF is designed to mix at 1% = 99 parts water to 1 part 1% AFFF concentrate
Muster F3 is designed to mix at 2% = 98 parts water to 2 parts 1% F3 (Fluorine Free Foam) concentrate
Muster Advanced Agent is a concentrate for use in below 0°C conditions
not mixed with water and is applied as a 100% concentrate.
Foam Advantages:
Fast acting
Strong cooling effect
Effective discharge time is extensive
Flows with gravity to follow pooling fuel fire
Easy to service in the field
Performance is annually proven
Foam Disadvantages:
Conducts Electricity
