A study of portable water mist fire extinguishers used for extinguishment of multiple fire types

This paper describes both theoretical and experimental studies on the application of a portable water mist extinguisher in suppressing multiple fire types. Two prototype portable water mist fire extinguishers were developed and their feasibility in extinguishing flammable liquid, cooking oil and wood crib fires, and for use in fires associated with an energized target was investigated. The interaction between water mist and the fire plume was studied by analyzing the instantaneous process of fire extinction, and fire and fuel temperature profiles. Both theoretical analysis and experimental results showed that the extinguishing mechanisms and process as well as water mist characteristics required (such as water flux density, droplet size and spray coverage) change with the types of fires encountered. The portable water mist extinguisher with appropriate mist characteristics was able to extinguish multiple fire types.