Factory Mutual

NBS = National Bureau of Standards OSU = Ohio State University FMRC = Factory Mutual Research Corp. 

The Ohio State University (OSU) calorimeter (12) differs from the Cone calorimeter ia that it is a tme adiabatic instmment which measures heat released dufing burning of polymers by measurement of the temperature of the exhaust gases. This test has been adopted by the Federal Aeronautics Administration (FAA) to test total and peak heat release of materials used ia the iateriors of commercial aircraft. The other principal heat release test ia use is the Factory Mutual flammabiHty apparatus (13,14). Unlike the Cone or OSU calorimeters this test allows the measurement of flame spread as weU as heat release and smoke. A unique feature is that it uses oxygen concentrations higher than ambient to simulate back radiation from the flames of a large-scale fire. 

Factory Mutual Corner Test. This is a large-scale comer test used to test building products (18—20). The test rig consists of three sides of a cube. The two walls are 15.24 and 11.58 m by 7.62 m tall. The ceiling is 9.14 x 15.24 m. The product to be tested is mounted on the walls and ceilings ia a manner consistent with the iatended use. The fire source is a 340 kg stack of wood pallets located ia the corner. In order to pass the test, no flame can propagate to any extremity of the walls or ceiling. The Factory Mutual flammabiHty apparatus is proposed to replace this test for certain appHcations (21). 

Factory Mutual Building Comer Fire Test Procedure, Factory Mutual Research, Norwood, Mass, (updated periodically). 

Fire-Resistant Hydraulic Fluids. Fire-resistant hydrauhc fluids are used where the fluid could spray or drip from a break or leak onto a source of ignition, eg, a pot of molten metal or a gas flame (17). Conditions such as these exist in die-casting machines or in presses located near furnaces. Specific tests for fire resistance are conducted by Factory Mutual in the United States. 

Handbook of Industrial Eoss Prevention, 2nd ed.. Factory Mutual Engineering Corp., New York, 1967. 

In other designs, a diffused siUcon sensor is mounted in a meter body that is designed to permit caUbration, convenient installation in pressure systems and electrical circuits, protection against overload, protection from weather, isolation from corrosive or conductive process fluids, and in some cases to meet standards requirements, eg, of Factory Mutual. A typical process pressure meter body is shown in Figure 10. Pressure measurement from 0—746 Pa (0—3 in. H2O) to 0—69 MPa (0—10,000 psi) is available for process temperatures in the range —40 to 125°C. Differential pressure- and absolute pressure-measuring meter bodies are also available. As transmitters, the output of these devices is typically 4—20 m A dc with 25-V-dc supply voltage. 

Fire and Wind Hazards. Weather resistance of roof covetings is not necessarily correlated to fire and wiad resistance. Underwriters Laboratory and the Factory Mutual System test and rate fire and wiad hazard resistance, and some durabiUty tests. Organic felt or fiber glass mat base shingles are commonly manufactured to meet minimum UL requirements, which, ia addition to minimum mass, require wiad and fire resistance properties. 

Factory Mutual provides loss prevention data sheets that explain how to protect buildings from wind damage. Pressure coefficients that define increased uplift at corners and edges adjust the calculated uplift pressures. A laboratory uplift pressure test rates roofing assemblies. An uplift pressure of 2.9 kPa (0.42 psi) must be withstood under FM conditions to meet the Class 1-60 requirements. The FM approval guide is revised aimuaHy (37). 

Flash points Factory Mutual Engineering Corporation, 1967. 

Delichatsios, M. et al., 1982, Computer Modeling of Aircraft Cabin Fire Phenomena Factory Mutual, FMRC J. I. OGONl.BU, Norwood, MA, December. 

FMRC (Factory Mutual Research Corporation) Class 6061. 1990. FMRC Test Procedure for Flame Arresters for Storage Tank Vent Pipes. Factory Mutual Research Corporation, Norwood, MA. 

A vapor cloud explosion may be simply defined as an explosion occurring outdoors, producing a damaging overpressure (Factory Mutual Research Corporation, 1990). 

Factory Mutual Research Corporation. 1990. Guidelines for the estimation of property damage bom outdoor vapor cloud explosions in chemical processing facilities. Technical Report, March 1990. 

Factory Mutual Research Corporation 5%, 10%, and 15% of the heat of combustion of the quantity of fuel present in the cloud. 

Factory Mutual Research Corporation. 1990. Private Communication. 

Industrial plants contain a great number of possible ignition sources. A study made by tlie Factory Mutual Engineering Corporation of almost 25,000 industrial fires reported over a decade indicates tliat, for tlie majority of fires, tlie origins can be traced to tlie following general sources ... 

By permission, Factory Mutual Engineering Corp./McGraw-Hill Book Co., Handbook of Industri/il Loss Prevention, 2nd Ed., 1967, pp. 42-16 and 42-17 [32]. This is only pai-iial selected listing of reference. 

Friedman, R., Factory Mutual Research Georgakis, C., Lehigh University Gorbaty, M. L., Exxon Research Engineering Co. 

Several industry standards, codes, and company internal standards were used in developing the information in Table 1.2. These include internal company standards NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code (Ref. 22) NFPA 59A. Liquefied Natural Gas (Ref. 23) API 2510, Design and Construction of Liquefied Petroleum Gas(LPG) Installations (Ref. 24) iRlnformation IM.2.5.2, Plant Layout and Spacing for Oil and Chemical Plants (Ref. 25), and Factory Mutual 7-44, Spacing of Facilities In Outdoor Chemical Plants (Ref. 26). 

Factory Mutual Engineering and Research Loss Prevention Data Sheets. 

Factory Mutual 7-44. Spacing ofFacihties in Outdoor Chemical Plants. Norwood, MA. 

---