Research and Development of a Fire Fighting Rocket System

Abstract

The Defense Technology Institute has researched and developed a Fire Fighting Rocket. Composite solid propellant was chosen for the propulsion system. The rocket is to be used as an alternative tool for delivering fire extinguishing agent type 90% ABC into the targeted fire in order to reduce the fire intensity, and support firefighting missions in buildings with heights less than 23 meters. This research has produced, tested, and evaluated the rocket until a prototype was obtained for the extinguishing agent explosive dispersion system and propulsion system, as well as static and dynamic testing to assess rocket functionality and fire-retarding or extinguishing performance. This research found that the propulsion system worked correctly and had sufficient thrust to propel a Fire Fighting Rocket with a diameter of 89 millimeters, a length of 130 centimeters, and a total weight not exceeding 7 kilograms to target at a height of 23 meters, and a distance from launcher of 100 meters, with accuracy measured by a probable error not exceeding 1.25% of the firing range. An electronic timer was used as a time delay system that can release 3 kilograms of fire 90% ABC extinguishing agent per shot covering an area of 13 - 30 square meters. The Fire Fighting Rocket can be fired into the target area by calculations from the firing control program and setting the time following the target coordinates. For fire-retardant performance, it was found that the rocket was able to retard fires that were burning in the Flashover phenomenon stage, which had a flame temperature of 500 - 1,000 degrees Celsius and were transitioning to fully developed stage, reducing the fire severity to the 200 - 300 degrees Celsius region. Tests were conducted with simulated fire stacks comparable to 3-A fire extinguisher test conditions and fires simulating fire within a living room or residence with area of 5 meters wide and 7 meters long. It was found that 8 rockets were required to reduce the fire intensity from the flashover phenomena down to levels that allow firefighters to enter and manage the fire using other methods.