NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.

Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

PUBLICATIONS

Flame Suppression Effectiveness (NIST SP 861)

Published

Author(s)

Anthony P. Hamins, G. Gmurczyk, William L. Grosshandler, R. G. Rehwoldt, I Vazquez, Thomas G. Cleary, Cary Presser, K Seshadri

Abstract

A flame will be extinguished when the time required for the chain reaction which sustains combustion exceeds the time it takes to replenish the necessary heat and reactants. A characteristic time for reaction can be estimated from the inverse of a global kinetic rate coefficient expressed in Arrhenius form as [equation] where B is a molecular collision frequency factor, Eo is a global activation energy, R is the ideal gas constant, and T is the gas temperature. Assuming reactant species and heat are transported at about the same rate (i.e., unity Lewis number), a characteristic time for replenishing both can be estimated from a convective flow velocity and a length scale by [equation].
Citation
Special Publication (NIST SP) - 861
Report Number
861
NIST Pub Series
Special Publication (NIST SP)
Pub Type
NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.861

Keywords

halons, fire suppression, effectiveness, diffusion flames, turbulent flames, premixed flames, detonation, chain reactions
Buildings and Construction and Fire

Citation

Hamins, A. , Gmurczyk, G. , Grosshandler, W. , Rehwoldt, R. , Vazquez, I. , Cleary, T. , Presser, C. and Seshadri, K. (1994), Flame Suppression Effectiveness (NIST SP 861), Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.861 (Accessed October 1, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created April 1, 1994, Updated June 2, 2021
Was this page helpful?