Results and conclusions from experimental testing of physical properties and fire resistance of materials during fire in model cable compartment of nuclear power plant

Using a model of the cable compartment of a nuclear power plant, physical properties and fire resistance were experimentally tested of materials in the event of a fire. A comprehensive set of knowledge was obtained concerning the origination of fire and its spread, the potential of fire protection of cable ducts and the chemism of the whole process. The objective of the experiments was to determine temperatures, flame spread rate, HCl, CO, CO2 and O2 concentrations, the resistance of the partial fire partition and the resistance of cables with fire resistant sheath coat of the Flamastik and Dexaflam types compared with uncoated cables. The results showed that with the existing method of application, both fire protective sprays offer maximally twenty minutes long protection to fire propagation. With blazing fire, protection with the said materials is not meaningful. The partial fire partition did not prevent fire propagation. It was shown that fire may spread into other fire sections, thus requiring the use of mobile fire fighting facilities together with stationary fire fighting or spraying facilities. (Z.M.). 6 figs., 1 tab., 1 ref