Applying Fine Water Mist (FWM) Technology to DDG 51 Class Ships

Water mist fire protection systems offer an attractive alternative to halon-proteted shipboard hazards. Well documented performance characteristics, combined with evolving commercial hardware technology, offers the opportunity to develop a retrofitsuppression package for Navy ships. This Phase I proposal describes the feasibility study needed to advance this concept to prototype development and ultimate commercialization. Variables to address in the feasibility study include fire extinguishingperformance as a function of nozzle design, system pressure flow rate, and actuating mechanism. Shipboard integration requires an architectural assessment of fluid power supplies, agent storage, valving, control systems, and survivability. There is thepotential to commercialize a retrofit water mist fire protection package for application to a number of military/government ship platforms.