In addition, specifications for and manufacturers/vendors of fire and damage control systems and hardware are reviewed. The technologies include damage control systems, fire and damage sensors, fire suppression agents and techniques such as water mist, gaseous agents and aqueous fire fighting foams, smart valves, ventilation control and fire hardened materials. In this memorandum the literature pertinent to developments in damage and fire control technologies that have the potential to allow reduced crewing while maintaining damage control capabilities are reviewed. This project has several objectives including a state-of-theart review of damage and fire control technologies, modeling and simulation of damage control activities and the evaluation of how automation will affect crewing levels required to maintain damage and fire control capabilities, identification of materials with enhanced damage and fire resistance, and the evaluation and demonstration of wireless condition monitoring systems. To aid in addressing the challenges arising from attempts to reduce crewing levels and maintain or enhance damage control, DRDC Atlantic initiated a project entitled Damage Control and Crew Optimization.

Of particular concern is how labour intensive tasks, such as damage and fire control, can be carried out on ships with reduced crewing levels. As the Canadian Forces have made the reduction of the total operating costs of ships a priority, approaches to the reduction in crewing levels without jeopardizing operational capabilities and safety are being investigated. Of these costs more than 50% are associated with personnel.

The costs associated with personnel and maintenance account for approximately 70% of the total operating costs of a ship. Standards and test methods that are used to evaluate the fire performance of non-metallic materials are discussed. The approaches include the selection of polymeric materials with inherent fire resistance, the use of flame retardant additives including nanoparticles, the incorporation of molecules into the polymer backbone that have flame retardant properties, and the use of intumescent coatings to protect the underlying substrate. Several approaches to enhancing the fire and flammability properties of non-metallic (polymeric) materials used on naval vessels are also reviewed. Technology readiness levels (TRL) of these technologies are assigned based on the criteria developed by the United States Department of Defence. These include point and volume fire and damage sensors and systems, smoke control (ejection) systems, smart valves, water mist and gaseous agent fire suppression systems, and aerosol fire extinguishing agents. Emerging technologies for fire and damage detection, abatement and suppression on board naval vessels are reviewed.

Eyespy command list