Citation

Lynam D. Fire Technol. 2001; 37(2): 153-166.

Affiliation

Clark County (WA) Fire Marshal, P.O. Box 9810, Vancouver, WA

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1023/A:1011697718823

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In September of 1997 the Clark County (WA) Fire Marshal's Office with the assistance of the Washington State Association of Fire Marshals, the Oregon State Fire Marshal, the Western Fire Center, fireworks retailers and wholesalers, fire departments and fire districts loaded approximately 900 pounds of fireworks legal for possession, sale and discharge in Washington State into a wooden structure typical of the type used for the temporary retail sale of fireworks. Materials within the stand were ignited and temperature and heat flux monitoring equipment, still and video photography documented the results of the fire. The structure's 1/4 plywood construction generally contained firework devices within the stand and provided thermal protection to exposures on the sides and rear for approximately three minutes until the stand was consumed. Thermal effects and the number of aerial devices exiting the stand were considerably greater along the stand's partially open front. Post test data examination indicated that flashover occurred within approximately one minute of confirmed fireworks ignition with temperatures within the stand reaching a maximum value of almost 1,400 degrees C. A maximum exterior peak heat flux of 60 kW/ m sq was calculated at five feet from the structure's partially open front side. Post fire scene examination indicated that fireworks were propelled at least 250 feet from the stand's partially open front. Aerial devices exiting the stand could create pedestrian, vehicle or fire hazards remote from the stand's immediate area. Test data supports the adequacy of a twenty-foot setback to buildings and combustibles from temporary stands constructed and loaded with fireworks similar to that described in this report-except where openings are present. Where openings are present--particularly a large front sales opening-forty-foot setbacks are required to provide a similar level of protection. Data analysis indicates that for practical consideration, fire departments responding to fires in small temporary retail fireworks stands will most likely encounter fire conditions that are not extraordinary--provided that their response time is not less than three minutes. Within three minutes of firework ignition most of the pyrotechnic materials in the test stand had ignited and discharged. After three minutes, the principal hazard confronting firefighters upon arrival will be the very active burning of the structure, the paper packaging remains of the fireworks and exposure fires, but the pyrotechnic materials in the fireworks will have been substantially expended. The results of this test were obtained based upon a specifically defined fire load and method of stand construction. Any deviation in the mix of fireworks or stand construction methods or materials could affect the applicability of the results outlined in this report.