Outdoor test site

Test facility that enables high fire loads onto larger process equipment and structures.

Outdoor testsite
The key feature is to utilise a propane supply of up to 1 kg/s and a variable, low cost  enclosure that allows fire loads in the range of  200-400 kW/m2 over a larger volume than regular test furnaces.
Jet fire exposure of objects larger than the standardised 0,3 m diameter pipes can be undertaken, as well as objects filled with gas or liquid. The test site is located in an area that allows controlled rupture  of vessels as a consequence of fire exposure.

Typical possible products that earlier had to be avoided in regular test furnaces are:

  • Water filled pipes and vessels, due to the possible destruction of the furnace lining if a rupture should occur.
  • Vessels, pipes and valves with hydrocarbon gas or liquid inside, due to the risk of deflagration or excessive fire at leakage or rupture.
  • Products that have to be exposed to higher fire loads than standard time-temperature curves, due to the possible destruction of the furnace lining.
  • Products that are so large that they do not fit into the furnace or into the fire load area in a jet fire test.

 Additional new features:

  • A mechanical rig that can introduce a fixed or variable static load by hydraulic jacks.
  • Displacement measurement equipment that can withstand the high fire load has also been developed to fit into the test facility. This is designed to measure the distance between flanges of pipes, and has been used in tests of pressurised pipe couplings (Methane inside). This equipment can be used with  jet fire loads of more than 300 kW/m².

The test facility is also useful in case of testing products releasing toxic or corrosive products during fire exposure, provided that the amounts and concentration is environmentally acceptable.


Published May 13, 2012

Are W. Brandt,
Department Manager
Ragnar Wighus,
Chief Scientist