AIR DROP TESTS WITH FIRE-TROL 100 AND
BY
J. E. Grige1
THIS FILE COpy MUST BE RETURNED
TO:
INFORMATION SECTION,
NORTHERN FOREST RESEARCH CENTRE,
5320 - 122 STREET,
EDMONTON, ALBERTA.
T6H 3S5
FOREST RESEARCH LABORATORY
EDMON'l'ON, ALBERTA
HiFORMATION REPORT A-X- ~
CANADIAN FORESTRY BERVI CE
DEPARTMENT OF rISBRnS Am> FORESTRY
MAY, 1970
!22&'L _/~ ____~__ ____
}'
'
Pa(ce
IN'fJODUO'nOlC
1
DESCRIPrION OF RET.AlmAN'l'S
3
rire ..Trol 100
Phos-Cbek 205
Description ot Field Sites
Preparation ot Retardant Mixtures
Drop Specifications
Drop Pro_urel
or DATA
Preparation ot around Distribution Patterns
Measurement ot Contour Level Areas
Measurement of Contour Leve 1 Lengtbs
Calculation of Percentage Ground Recovery
Comparison ot Ground Distribution Patterns
4
7
7
7
10
10
10
10
10
13
13
ImIUIlm
DllCUI8tOIf' or
3
4
PROCEDU.RES
ANALYSIS
3
.~
24
ACD~rrm
31
~ClS
31
APPlJDIX
33
wrm
AIR DROP 'liSTS
nU-TftOL 100 AND
PJlOS-CHU 20,1 LOJfG. ;......na ~
J. I. Or!,el2
'BJe ue ot lema-teD
...tal
"ltIHta" 1. u
fire tuppre•• lon operationa
eatabl1. . . Jft.ftlae 1n
1ft ... United Statea and British Columbia.
In the United State. Forest Service lorthern Region, 2,435,000 gallons ot
long-ten retardants were applied &1' retardant planea in 1967 (Herd7, 1967).
.
'
Thia . . . .t
";'h'~~'
WU
e"enq comprlaecl.t
"
"
r~llOO
,,;;,:(,t
{
•
and l'boa..Chek
are at ,..aut tbe'moat eoaonl.1 . . . t1re I".t"".nta.
The
202, which
.uaeaa of the
'r
t<> t_1J' lnil'o4uet!on into other areal.
Altbc.ruP both rire-Trol 100 ... fI'iM~ 2020bave Deen operation-
&111)""1.:.., .b•• the ear4' 1960'., <u:I\1e~lt&tlve intonation on
tke1r 61J' .. . , . . .aetvlltioa J
8, .ift
*,
ad t.I'M MnoJ7 ,...tfttion and
reterrtton, 1a available.
Thtt .ttecttveneas
ot the •• retardant. in re-
tar4i. ad/or utlqtdabina w114t1re. vu •• tuU.he4
aa4 tta14 ta.t. (.....,.
!!!!. 1962.
Davla!!!l.
taro.
laboratory
1962. Davia!!!!. 1963),
aeel operational tr1als at •• lected &in.nker bU.. throucbout the Western
Un! ted Statel.
Only one of the two retwanta wu evaluat.d and compared
with the existing produot •• primarily bentonite short-term retardant. at
an,
ODe
bafle ctuJ'itl& the operational trials.
The auperiori ty
of tM lon,:s...
term :N\arclants was easily reeogn1se4. and ttle trial base uauCly adopted
the pertleular retardant aubmitte4 tor teatlna.
'!hu, detailed oomparl ..
eoa ot the bop "'aoterl.tl0. of 'iPe-Trol 100 al14 Pbos-a.ek 205 has been
Uldte4.
At present, the Alberta For•• t Service is util1ztl'l& GELGARD ,
short-terti retariant and tb. Snow all4 'J.'brouh Commander &irUalters tn 1ta
..,.1al tire suppre.sioll operat1oas 1n southern Alberta.
1an4~ban4
De
IDOW' ea.an4er alrtanker 18 a low« .........1oultura1 airaraft With a 250
imperial ,allon capacity; tbe ThrUlll Commande, " laPger IIOdU'ied model
of the Snow, laas .. 330 imperial gallon capaoity_
The introduction
loDg-tVII tin ret8l"4ant is llkelJ. . . lDtormatiOD on the
au
ot a
4rop o)Iarac-
ter!n! •• ot 'lre-'!'rol 100 al14 Pbo.-cMlt 20t retardate VO\tl4 ald In the
.eteot101l ot tile retar4ant be.t suited tor Al.herta forest eoD4itlO1lI.
wou14 alao permit
110ft
It
emoient util1utlOft of the Snow am! Thrush Comman-
der aiJ'taDker•.
A eer1.. ot air
...
..... "'Oft,
~
test. "".,
cb"op
teata wttJI '''"-!ro1 100 . . ftIN-aaek lOS
Alhrta , ...188 ~ 1968.
Objeetlvet of tba
1) to eompare the air drop . . . .eter1.t1c. of the two
n9&r4_t.;
_
- 3 -
and 2) to determine the effectiveness of the Thrush COPJmander as an airtanker.
Results of the study are presented in this report.
DESCRIPrION OF RETARDANTS
FIRE -'mOL 100
Fire-Trol -10"
Limited, Kamloops, B.C,
a slurry, is manufactured by Chemonics Industries
It consists of a 15 per cent dry weight ammonium
sulphate solUtion, thickened by attapu1.gite clay to 1400-2000 centipoise!,
and has a corrosion inhibitor and pigment added (Anon. 1967).
At tapu19ite
clay is similar to bentonite, but is less affected by variation in water
.
,
temperature, hardness,. or impurities.
To obtain a
l~
per cent solution, 333 pounds of Fire-Trol 100 are
added to 100 gallons of water (3.3 Ib/gal).
lage in the slurry.
There is a 20 per cent swel-
One gallon of slurry weighs 11.2 pounds,
Hixers with
high shear impellers are mandatory to obtain proper viscosity; but once
attained, the viscosity level holds almost indefinitely.
There are no bacterial deterioration problems and only slight
contamination problems in using attapulgite clay-thickened retardant chemical.
An inhibitor reduces the rate ot corrosion to an acceptable level.
Cost ot Fire-Trol 100 per ton is $132.50 f.o.b. Kamloops ClJ3.4¢/gal, not
including mixing).
Phos-Chek 205
Phos-Chek 205, a viscous
rpt~rdant
solution, is manufactured by
1
Viscosity measured with Prookfield Viscometer, Model LVF, No. 4
spindle, 60 RPM.
l
- 4 -
Monsanto Canada Limited, Vancouver, B.C.
per cent
di~nium
phosphate (DAP) solution by weight, is thickened by
sodium carbox:ymethylcellulose
r~clon
The retardant mixture contains 10
(CMe) to 800-1200 centipoise, and has cor-
and spoilage inhibitors and pigment &dded (Anon. 1967).
To obtain a 10 per cent solution at proper viscosity, 137 pounds
of Phos-Chek 205 are added to 100 gallons of w'lter (1. 37 Ib/gal).
a "; per cent swellage in the solution.
pounds.
There is
One gallon of solution weighc 10.7
It can be mixed best in a Lely-type side entry propellor batch
mixer; a high shear impeller may not develop maximum v scosity.
A continu-
ous flow mixer has been developed for mixing the retardant, with good results.
An inhibitor
mination
by
pr~vents
bacterial deterioration, however, conta-
residue of other materials may cause irreparable loss of viscosity.
An inhibitor reduces the rate of corrosion to an acceptable level.
Phos-.Chek 205 per ton is approximately $310.00 f.o.b.
Cost of
Ie_loops (19.86/gal,
not including mixing).
PROCEDURES
Description of Field Sites
Three level sites:
1) an open field;
2) a mature, well-stocked lodgepole
pine (Pinus contorta var. 1atifo11a) stand; and 3) a mature, medium-stocked
white-spruce aspen (:picl"a "lam:a, Po;gul)1S1 tremulQidl"s} stand were selected
for the air drops (Fig. 1).
The lodgepole pine stsnd averaged
5.9 inches
dbh, 63 feet tall, and had a basal area of 166 square feet per acre.
. ,
closure was estimated as 50 per cent.
Crown
The white spruce-aapen stand averaged
6.2 inches dbh (white spruce 7.5 incbes, aspen \.9 inches), 80 feet tall,
- 5 -
and had a basal area of 12'+ square feet per acre.
mated as 35 per cent.
The deciduous trees were
Crown closure was esti-
ful~
leafed.
Grid systems, one in the open field and two in each of the forest
stands, were established to calibrate the retardant drJpsl.
intercept the retardant in the ')pen field consi;:;t",d
ot
Containers to
op'1'!n-ended enafJlel
cans 2 7/8 inches in c1iametE'r and 4 5/1G inches in height, nailed and tB.ped
onto lL~-inch long, 1 1/2- x 1 1/2- inch wooden .':~tqkes; in the stands opeotopped cans with a 6-L1ch spike spot-welded to the bottoms in the stands
were used (Fig. 1).
The open field containers were driven into the ground
to a d~Pth ot , inches, so that the tops of the cans were a uniform 12 t'::.>
13 inches above the surface of the ground.
placed into the forest floor.
The stand containers were ea.sily
Collection of the retardant mixture was made
using 10-ounce plastic-lined paper cups, which fitted
snug~
into the can
container.s.
Eaeh grid system, which consisted of 738 containers arranged in
,
lO-fJot-square spacing, was 400 teet long by 170 feet wide,
All containers
were placed at their predesignated locations; no attempt was made to place
the containers under a uniform crown closure 1n the forest stands.
Each
container was identified by a letter and number; lateral rows were labelled
A-R and longitudinal columns
l_l~l.
Thus, the location of each container
in th~ grid system was easi~ identifiable by the co-ordinate letter/number.
The corners and center of the open field grid were' marked with
br:fght orange 2- x 2-foot flags to facilitate easy aerial identification.
Multicolored flagging was placed along the center line of the grid to designate line of flight.
The grid systems 1n the forest stands were established
1
The procedure described by Hodgson (1967) and MacPherson (1967) was
used to establish the grid system in the open field.
- 6 -
Lodgepole pine
b
containers
Open grid
stand grid
system
system
c
,Fjgure 1.
containers
d
Ground view of air drop sites: (8) lodgepole pine stand;
(b) white spruce-aspen stand; grid system in open field (c)
and lodgepole pine stand (d)
- 7 -
so that the line of
fl:ii~ht
was parallel to a road or seismic
liHf'.
A
weather balloon was used t,) identify the center of the grids.
Preparation ot Retardant Mixtures
Fire-Trol 100 and Phos-Chek 205
peller batch mixer according to
~lere
manufacttll'Fr~1
mixed with a side-entry prospecifications.
Inalequate
controls on the mixer prevented preparation of mixtures with identical viscosity.
Creek water at a temperature of 50 to 55°F was used.
The ViSC0Sity
of each ajrtanker lQad was measured with a Erookf:l.eJd Viscometer Model L'iF,
No. 4 spindle, 60 rpm.
Drop Specifications
Air drop
t~sts
were made with Thrush
Con~ander
CF-XLE.
The retar-
dant loads, all of which were 310 imperial gallons, were released onto the
open field site from 80+
- 10 feet, and onto the forest stand sites from 15-+
..
10 feet and 60+ 10 feet above the tree canopy.
was 100 mph.
Air speed for all test drops
Air drops were made when on-site ground wind speed was less
than 10 mph, and wind speed measured at a nearby lookout was in the same
range.
The drop schedule was so arranged that
was released
~nto
a forested grid in any one day.
on~
one retardant load
A total of 23 air drop
tests was made (Table J).
Drop Procedures
Prior to each test drop series, the paper cups w.re labelled with
the appropriate co-ordinate letter/number and placed into correspond1.ng
·8-
1-\
A:i.r drop tests, Thrush Commander air tanker, Edsvn, Alberta,
Table 1.
September, 1968
',,+:
".,.,iii
it?~~f
Drop Site
Retardant
Drop height
eft)
Fire-Trol 100
+
Phos-Chek 205
Open
('0 - 10
3
Lodgepo 1e Pi ne
- ±
+ 10
3
3
15 - (Dive)
6o t lO
1
1
1
3
3
1
1
15
White Spruce-Aspen
15 t 10
60 t 10
containers.
Labelling ot the cups prior to a drop enabled tast collection
afterwards.
Air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed and direction
were recorded at 4 1/2 feet immediate~ prior to each drop.
The release height ot the aircraft over the open field site was
measured using two hage.
ali i
-Ieters.
Dummy runs were made until the pre-
designated drop altitude vas obtained.
drops
Wb
.
estimated by the
Release height for the forest stand
pi lot.
Following each drop, cups oontaining any retardant slurry or solution were oapped within 10 minutes ot the drop with tight-fitting plastiC
lids to prevent evaporation, and collected.
POI' additional drops 'in the
open, new cups were labelled to replace those collected.
for tbe test drop series are presented 1n Table 2.
Operational data
Several ot the air drops
onto the study sites are shown in :r;-1gures 2 to 4.
'"
Table 2.
S:1te l
1)a1:e and
Drop No.
Dr<:>p
No,
Operational data tor Thrush C0meen4v/J'ire-Trol 100
and Phos-cbek 205 air drop testa, Boon, Alberta,
September '. 1968
V:isoosiq
DroP.c2
height
(tt)
(epa)
Air t ....
(OF)
Relative
h\ll!dd:l t7
Wi 0.4
Speed
!!ph)
Wiae!
Direction
98
0
0
<:,8
65
0
-
3
NW
1)5
2
2
2
1
1'nf
NW
<%)
rire-'l'ro 1 100
1
hpt. 10 .. 1
S 1
1850
L
2
10 - 2
Sept. 10 - 4
S 2
0
2000
L
85'
Sept. 11 - 1
Sept. 11 - 2
Sept. 11 - 3
.s
2550
1850
Sept.
'3
4
c;
6
Sept. 11 Sept. 12 Sept. 12 Sept. 12 .pt. 12 -
7
Q
'.~
9
10
11
9 1
P 1
P2
0
0
4
1
2
3
L
L
L
1900
84'
91'
2000
1700
2050
P 1
L
2250
P2
At
H
1950
1950
2
It
62.5
66.5
62.0
54.5
98
55.0
55.5
51•• 5
51.5
71
77
5B.o
'(5
58.5
58.5
60
61
86
3
4
JW
NW
JW
mw
5
f;w'tf
61
'73
72
71
2
0
0
U
1
BE
75
0
Phoa-chek. 205
Sept. 14 Sept. 14 Iept.~ 14 Sept. 14 Iept. 14 Sept. 14 Sept. 15 .pt. 1'5 ..
lept. 15 ..
"pt. 15 ..
Sept. 18 -
'i
11
5
C;
7
8
0,
..,.
10
11
12
1.
2
S 1
Sept. 13 - 1
1
22
1
2
3
4
'5
6
1
2
3
4
6
Q' - open area;
L
0
0
H
80'
59.5
54.0
1225
75'
56.5
56.0
85'
0
1250
S 2
1270
L
1040
1000
L
11
P 1
1550
11+10
1140
L
L
L
57.0
61.5
61.5
51.0
51.0
54.0
P2
1075
L
1550
t(DlVE)
55.5
P 1
P 2
S 1
S 2
P2
P
950
1000
= lodgepole
- 15 ft. above canopy;
pine;
S
51.5
= white spruce-aspen;
H - 60 ft. above canopy
64
80
69
63
r:;1"
,.0
44
46
0
0
2
I..
-.
ltW
NW
:3
~1f
'7
~
NW
()
NY
1 & 2 indicate grid system plot
- 10 -
cups were weighed as soon as possible to the nearest
Th~ r!"tarda~1t
0.1 gram using a direct reading balance.
PoSSible errors which may have
resulted with the procedure used are discussed in detail by MacPherson (1967).
Ai'!ALYSlS OF DATA
Prepare.tje,t1 of Ground Distribution Patterns
Data for each
dr~)p
were plotted on a scaled grid; the retardant
weight measured in each cup was transferred to its corresponding co-ordinate
on the grh1.
o
Isulines were drawn for 0 (Trace), .005", .01", .04", .O'{",
10", 0.1"/' and 0.20ft contour levels representing depth of retardant in
l'fea:mretJ:ent of Contour Level Areas
A
planimeter
'Vm.3
used
to
in a ground distribution pattern.
averaged, thon multiplied
by
m.eas~e
the area (of each contour level
Three readings of each level was taken,
a c\)nVerSiofl factor to obtain the area in
,'1quare teet
Measurement of Contour Level Lengths
The length of individual contour levels along the direction of
flight was measured to a minimum width of 10 feet for each ground diatribution pattern, using the criteria described by MacPherson (1967).
The
10-foot width was considered the minimum width for an effective retardant
tire-line.
Calculation of Percentage Ground Recovery
The amount of retardant reaching the ground was calculated tor
each dr0p.
The assumption that each cup in the grid system represented
- 11 -
Fjgure 12.
A Phos-Chek 205 drop onto
th~
open field grid system.
- 12 -
Figure 3.
Fig.
IL
A low drop onto the white spruce-aspen stand with Phos-Chek 205.
A. high d.rop onto the lodgepole pine stand with Fire-Trol 100.
;~':~ :,J
"<
- 13 -
one-half the distance
feet, was used.
tr)
the ad;jacent containers, or an area of 100
Cup retardant weights were converted on this basis.
The
total weight ot the retardant recovered in grams was converted to gallons,
and tbe percentage recovered on the ground determined.
Co~parizon
of Ground Distribution Patterns
The area and length of the different contour levels, and percentage ground recovery of the two retardants were compared.
A
8erl~'~,
of
tfttf tests were made to determine whether the air drop characteri. i::c ,';$
the two materials ditfered.
RESULTS
The a1r drop characteristics ot Fire-Trol 100 and Pbos-Chek 205
were dmilar tor the open lield drop teats ('rabIes 3 and 4, r1aure 5).
A
1ft" test sbowed that the area and length ot the majority ot contour levels
in the ground distribution patterns of Fire-Trol 100 and Phos-Chek 205 and
and the amount of material reaching the ground were not different at the
90 per cent level of signficance (Appendix).
The amount of Fire-Trol 100 reaChing the ground average 82 pe:o:cent of the 3"LO-gallon load for the tbne. drops, Pbos-Chek 205 averaaed
80 percent. Thus, about 20 per cent of both retardants was lost to evapo'ration and dritt of er~ded particles during the tall to the ground.
Fire-
Trol 100 had more lateral drift than Phes-Cbek. 205, as shown by the greater
contour area 1n ~he lower contour levels (Figure
6). This situation was
rev"!!ra.e<i in the higher cllntour l<>vels; however, the overall difference was
not considered significant and wu attributed to the char8Ci&J"istj.~ ot the
thickening agents used; i.e. clay
V8.
gum.
Open field ground distributIon
•.
:;i~·'7··
Table 3.
Contour areas (sq tt) and pe~centage ground recovery
tor Thrush Commander/Fire-Trol 100 and Pbos-Chek 205
air drops onto open fields.
Retardant
& drop no. 1
"
Viscosity
(<':ta)
FiH-'1'f«I:
Contour Level (depth 1n inches)
2
0
.005
.01
.02
.04
Area (sq
.07
.
.10',
.15.20
ttl
Ground
recovery
(%:)
100
1.
(9)
1700
27467
16856
11012
6652
3'736
1812
(,28
lEo
56
2.
( 8)
2000
19804~
12012
8620
5692
3460
1892 1036
176
4
.
(~)
2550
24240*
125B}lI:
10026*
6916
35'<:'<3
1736
924
324
64
Average
2063
23837
13819
~
-6420
3721
1813
925'
227
it 1
10372* 7376* 4556
1624
660
40
00
'79
.~
Ii"·,
rr5
82
PHOS-CHIK
205
~
l.
(2)
1000
24188
13268*
2.
(3)
1225
215l~4'*'
128214-
9944
7217
4592
2120
71+0
6'1
.:t
(4)
1250
18988* 111-860* 11412
7640
1.284
168J.~
492
124
28
81
Average
1158
217Tl
74~
4477
1802
631
77
.:z
;;30
J.
13651
10576
1.
Number in parentheses indicates drop nuaoer as listed in Table 2.
2.
'* ,
Part ot contour tell outside of grid.
~,.,.,.........---
Table
~.
eontour
lenet_ (tt) for 'l'bnaIa eo. Fader/pire-Trol 100
205 atl' fboopa orato GpJG fte 14.
awl Phoa-Qaek
..
~
'It .... DO.
1
Viaeos1t7
( cps)
02
o.-v
.()05
.01
J'tre-t'ro1
(T ill.07iachea)
.10
level
.02 • .
.15
.20
Leqt)l (tt)
100
1.
(9)
1100
316* 213
233
137
90
;''78
56
23
14
2.
(e)
2000
282*
2~
205
149
107
12
63
24
2
3.
( 3)
2550
283* 118*
170* 131
lO5
60
43
39
13
Average
2083
~
20J
ill
-101
12.
2§
~
-
!l2
10
Pbu-Ctlek.
,...
205
1. (I)
1000
341*131"
193* 158* l.2tt,
lO2
51
7
2.
(3)
1225
305* 118
191
l.68
112
13
it.9
,'8
3.
(it. )
1250
270* 113'*
214* 183
loS
81
it.1
22
1
Average
1158
.m. m
122- .11'Q
115
~
.!!2
J:g
-2
..
\It
1. . .ber in pVfH1thesis indicat. . clrop DllIIbe' as llatecl 1ra Table 2'.
2.
'
' Part oteontour tell
outside of grid.
- 16 •
patterns are shown in Figures 6 and 7.
The ground distribution patterns were similar tor the two retardants in the lodgepole pine stand (Tables 5 and 6, 'igure 8).
A"t" test
showed there was no d1fference at the 90 per cent level of significance
r;etW'een the area snd length of the contour leve ls and the amount of retardant reaching the ground for the three low drops (Appendix).
For the loW' drops, the amount of retardant recovered on the ground
averaged 29 percent for Fire-Trol 100 and 28 per cent for Phos-Cbek 205.
Since the drops were made trom 15: 10 teet above the canopy, little material
was lost to evaporation and drift; thus, approximately 70 per cent of the
3l0-gallon loads was intercepted and retained by the tree crowns and stems
for both retardants.
Thirty-seven per cent ot each retardant load was recovered on the
ground tor the high drops (60: 10 teet).
The Phos-Chek 205 reterdant solu-
tion produced greater contour areas and lengths than did the 'ire-Trol 100
slurry.
For both retardants, the a:rea and length of the contour levels
below .04 inches was in most cases greater tor the high drops than tor the
averace of' the low drops, and did not ditter greatly in those above .04
inchel
(Tabl~1
5 and 6).
Ground distribution patterns tor the lodgepole
pine stand are presented on 'igures 9 and 10.
The ground distribution patterns tor 'ire-Trol 100 and Phos-Chek
205 were a1.0 similar in the white spruce-aspen stand (Table. 7 and 8,
'igure 11),
A Nt" te.t showed that there was no difference at the 90 per-
cent level ot .iln1-tic8nce between the area and length ot the contour levels
and the amount of retardant reaching the ground tor the three low drops
(Appendix) .
.. 18 ..
Figure 6.
Open drop, Fire-Trol 100
... 19 ...
'igure 7.
Open drop, Phos-Cbek 205
Table 5.
Retardant
drop no. l
&:
Drop
type 2
Viscosity
(cps)
Contour areu (eq ttl fHlCi percent_.. sround recovery
for '!'brush CommHder!F1re-Trol 100 and Phos-Chek 205
air drops onto lodaepole pine stend.
03
.005
Contour l.eve 1 (depth in inches)
Ground
.04
recovery
j
.01
Fire-Trol
100
.02
.07
.10
.15
Area (sq It)
8548
1.
(7)
L2
1900
21644*
2.
(6)
L1
1950
22588* 1018l.
4536* 1220*
3.
(10)
L1
2050
20504
7168
3308
1372
728
340
123
36
1967
21579
~
SG"'''I
1632
~
12
23548* 12972* 7868* 2188
-121
43
2250
-
588
36
300
Averace
( 11)
.20
H2
"876
4240
2304
564
24
28
188*
29
29
--
E2.
37
"-~-~-
~~~.-~"
Piles-Chelt
205
l.
( 6)
L 1
1040
19128*
7642
5276
2916
1012
2.
(11)
L2
1075
21424*
9256* 4192
592
4
3.
(10)
L1
1140
18780*
8240*
4292* 1680
356
1082
12777
.§Il2.
~
1m
m -104
8000
3500
1184
136
32
37
644
220
76
20
22
Averac·
1.
(7)
12
1000
15448* 1Q148
1.
(12)
Dive 2
1550
23372*
5624* 2306*
20
31
26
12
28
..J..
1. Number in parenthesis indicates drop number as listed. in Table 2.
2 ... "" low drop (15 t ) ; H,.. high drop (OO'); 1 &: 2 indicate grid-system. plot number.
3 '*' part of contour fell outside of grid.
--
--
g§
~
Table 6.
letanlant l
drop no.
&
Drop
type2
COD.tOUl" le~ (tt) tor Tbrusb CQaIlln4er/Flre-Tro1 100
and Pbos-ckek 205 air drops onto l04aeP0le pine stand.
Viscosity
(cps)
Contour level (depth in inebes)
03
.005
.01
.02
.04
.07
.10
.15
Fire-Tro1
100
1. (7)
L2
1900
315*
223
154-
2.
(6)
L1
1950
328*
219*
163*
69*
30*
3.
(10)
L1
2050
316*
178*
94*
67
50
40
22
10
1267
~
207
137
82
44
15
J.
..J.
2250
305*
245
196
99
35
11
Leagth (tt)
Average
1
(11)
.20
H2
1.09
52
6
Pbos-aae.
205
1 (6)
L1
1040
344*
201
154
126
58
2
(11)
L2
1075
355*
203*
134*
48
1
'3
(10)
L1
1140
337*
239*
159*
110
31
5
108,
1±2.
ill
142
..22 .JQ
11
2
'"
t-'
Average
27
6
1
(7)
H2
1000
220*
206
195
134
85
36
8
1
(12)
Dive 2
1550
360*
185*
116*
57
23
11
5
--
1 Number in parenthesis indicates drop number as listed in Table 2.
2 L .. loY drop (15·); H == high drop (60'); 1 & 2 indicate grid system plot number.
3 •• t part o~ contour ~e11 outside of grid.
--
- 22 -
J"iaure 9.
Lodgepole pine, Fire-Trol 100
,
! ..
- 23 -
- 24 The ground recovery rate averaged 40 percent for Fire-Trol 100
and 33 percent for Ph.os-Chek 205.
Thus, 60-67 percent of the retardant
was retained by tilt tree crowns and st...
th~
.As in the lodgepole pine stand,
amount of retardant material reoovered trom the high drops onto the
white spruce-aspen stand was greater than the average of the low drops
(Table 7).
The greater variation in the drop test recovery rates in the
stand was attributed to a difference in the stand density of the two white
spruce-aspen drop sites, and the presence of openings and uneven tree
spacing in the natural stand.
Ground distribution patterns are presented
in Fieure 12 and 13.
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
Results showed that the air drop characteristics of clay-thickened
Fire-Trol 100 slurry with a viscosity of approximately 2000 cps. were comparable to that of gum-thickened Pbos-Cbelt 205 solution at about 1200 cps.
This test series, boYever, was conducted under ideal wind conditions.
Ob-
servatlon of several drops not included in the data indicated that FireTrol 100 at 1700 cps. and Ph.os-CheIt 205 at 1100 cps. were susceptible to
excessive drift and erosion when wind speed exceeded 10 mph.' Since tire
suppression operations are commonly carried out under like wind conditions,
the viscosity of Fire-Trol 100 should be at least 2000 cps. and of Phos-Chek
205 at least 1400 cps. when applied with the Snow and Thrush Commander airtankers.
This recommended v:tscosity may vary with the type of airtaoker
and efficiency of the retardant delivery system.
Although the crown penetration characteristic ot the two retardants was similar, the crown retention characteristic differed.
Ph.os-abek
Table 7.
Retardant 1
&: drop no.
Drop2
tIPe
Viscosit,.
(cps)
Contour areas (sq ft) and percentage !round recovery
tor 'l'b.rusA Coaaader/J'ire-Trol 100 and Pbos-Chek 205
air drops onto 1fll1ttl spruce-aspen stand..
c::oatoar leve 1 (deptA in il1cAes)
03
.005
.01
Pire-'l"rol
.02
GroUDd
reoc:maJfy
.04
.07
.lO
.15
.20
(~)
148
40
59
Area (sq tt)
l.
100
(1)
L1
1850
26672* 12700*
&:18
4432
2065
872
328
2.
(5)
L2
1950
20632
9438
4920
1884
e&>
360
104
3.
(2)
L2
2000
20184
10136
6116
2400
572
128
1933
22496
10757
6~48
~
1850
20128* l.2OO4* 9308* 5384
Average
H1
(4)
\
-
1173
-453
2552
492
30
32
144
1.1-0
--"--
-13
40
55
I\)
\Jl
PI1os-Chei:
l.
205
( 5)
L2
1270
18716
8()76
5022
2424
516
8
2.
(9)
L2
1410
17~4
9728
5496
2860
1184
352
24
33
3.
( 8)
L1
1550
18180*
9844* 6056
3268
1744
7€iJ
104
41
1410
18233
9216
5525
2851
1148
373
43
.ll
950
18460
13060
9408
5004
1432
24
Averale
( 1)
1
H1
r-
number 111 parenthesis indicates drop number as listed in Table 2.
2
Ii
3
= low
dr<)p (15');
H ::: high drop (60 I )
;
'*' part ot contour fell outside of grid.
1 & 2 indicate grid sy,tem plot.
25
44
Table 8.
Retar4ant
&. clrop no. 1
DroP
type2
Contour leneth (n) tor Thrush Co1llll&nd~r /Fire-Tro 1 100
and Pbos-Chek 205 air drops onto white spruce-aspen stand.
Viscosity
(cps)
03
.005
Conto\lr level (depth in inches)
.01
.Qt~
.04
.10
.01
L 1
1850
351*
246*
192
112
70
37
20
2.
(5)
L2
1950
302
:'23
116
99
46
24
15
3.
(2)
L2
2000
269
201
155
108
48
23
1933
:m..
225
174
106
.2.2.
28
Average
12
Phos-Chek
205
l. (5)
L2
1270
.320
186
139
99
49
3
2.
(9)
L2
1410
308
231
178
112
89
42
10
3.
( 8)
L 1
1550
299*
232*
183
104
72
56
23
1410
.J22
216
167
.!Q2.
1.Q.
J!
11
950
252
211
199
142
106
11
Average
(i)
.20
11
7
4
-2
Leugth(tt)
FiH-'l'ro1
100
l. ( 1)
1
.15
H
1
f\)
(J'\
r-
Dumber in parenthesis indicates drop number as listed in Table 2.
2
L • low drop (15');
3
H • high drop (60');
1 & 2 indicate grid system plot.
t*, part of contour tell outside ot grid.
".
- 27 -
Figure 12.
White spruce-aspen, Fire-Trol 100
.. 28 -
Figure 13.
Vb1 te spruce ..aspen. Phoa-cbelt 205
- 29 205, with its gum thickener coated the aerial tuell more than did Fire-Trol
100.
Following a Phol-Chek 205 drop, the retardant solution dripped trom
the tree crowns and ran d01ft1 the tr.e branches and ateu tor at least 10
This did not occur with Q.~a.y-th1ckened Fire-Trol.
. minutes.
Wbether the
extent ot this additional surtace coating 1s advantageous under actual tire
conditions 1s unknown.
The results ot the ground recovery rates tor the low and high drops
Since about 20 per cent ot the retardant load was not recovered
conflicted.
in the open tield drop tests trom
sot
10 teet, an air drop trom 60 t 10 teet
abo•• the tree canopy would result hi scae loss by the time the retardant
. s . reached the tree canopy.
In the lodgepole pine stand, the greater
amount ot recovery tor the high drops (3~) than tor the low drops (28-29%)
was attributed to the sampling procedure.
hit the poound in bulk
&riel
eo.ntain~rsJ
Unl
MIS,
,
~,~
"
,
tON
In the low drops the retardant
in pat• • vtdch III&¥ aave partlT lI1.sed the
i. the hi&ll drops the retantant 4ieper." 'lith1n the tal-.!
"
thus patchel ot material 1n bulk form did not occur.
Nevertheless,
the limited data showed no great ditference in the ground distribution patterns of the low and high drops made with the Thrush, thus theredid not
appear to be any advantage to the low drop.
Quantitative intormation on the minimum amounts ot retardant
1'8-
quired to stop fires of varying intensity burning in different tuel types
is lacking.
However, tor retardants such as Fire-Trol 100 and Phos-Chelt 205,
between 2 and 4 U.S. lallonl per 100 square teet are refJll1re4 tor _st t"1nl
t,... (MOD. 1967).
The min11N1l appUoatlon rate 'rill
ot GOV.e .ary, being
lower for light tuels such as gra.s, and higher for heavy tuels such as slash
accumulations.
The various contour level depths in inches used in this study
are presented below in both Imperial and U. S. lallons per 100 square teet.
I
... 30 -
Ii
o.110n&/1OO square teet
Imperial
U.S •
•
0.2
0.13
Deptb of R@tardant
(lnehe.)
.005
.01
~;.;
.
.~ .:~
0.5
0.6
.02
1.0
1.2
.Oi4
.07
2.1.
3.6
2.5
.1.0
5.2
1.8
.15
.20
to • ainl ... width of 10
brated.
'1'Ile lenctll
4. !~
6.2
9.~
12.5
10.14
te.t. tor the ;round distribution patteFa8 cali-
ot the retar4ut ttr.... Une .atabUabed on
tM gound.
bOtb ,i8 tile . . &tid tIM toren ~. OR be deteNt. . it ttae dnimum
ethotive ..,Ueatlon rat. tor tIM I'et"ant 1. IInovr}. 'or e • ..,18, it
0.2 laa (1.2 U.I. ,al/100 .q tt) an "'lUil'e4 to ltop a Vaa. til'., a
Pbos-cllek 105 41'01' rel•••ed by tIM ~ eo.&n4er frOB
100 .,. "'11 Btfapio 170
teet of
tlft-"'.,
(.,..18
Bot
Ith a
10 f.et at
-10M. ot
'IJoollOO nle.... Ina 1,t 10 teet ....... a"lAIIIaeIol.e . . . . . . . . wt11 ••Ub-
lisD • cr0un4 fire-line 62 teet la \eDIth at the O.2-1oeb -.pp11cat. rate,
(Table 6) bd, a loed Qt Phol-Chek 20, rele.._ h'oIl 60 ! 10 t.et .bove the
_copy ot • Wb1te _pruoe·aspen .tuct vill ••tabUab a
t.et iii letlitll at tu .... appUeatioo rate
t1re-l1ne ••tabl1.be4 on
votm4
eM},. 8),
.ue••••ive tt.-tn 4PQP8 ...14
overlApplq of the vOl' ,a_I'M.
~
~
ttr.-Une 142
!1M length of tIM'
i ........ue to
'ftIe •• data prov1ch onl.,r tile leoath or
tire"UM construct.. , tt. lencth of .tteetive l1n••tabUsb~d in
tIM orial l\Ie18 '10\114 Ukel.y b. at
].eDt
e. .1 te tbft .,tiIe 1I'OWd.
If .~ 1• • (IL 5 U.S. pl/lDO . , ft) of rir...-rnl 100 1....",17_
to .tep • fire. a Une 101, I.t4 and '5 t •• t ,,1.11 be .atabU. . . in tiM .".n,
lo4ppol. pine aM vhit. qru• ...,.a at..., r • .,.etl1'lll, 1t .07 inell
C_.4 U.I.
..
1,/,("
"
'"
"h.
1&1/100 .t tt) 1. re ..........
u. 10,
l' ami I~ tnt will 'b4t
t«dlt , . tile . . . eo04itlon. (Ml•• _, 6 . . 8). ilia, till U ..-lNl141n1
•
• • 1*
I
!
- 31 -
ability ot tbe Thrusb Commander is l1m1ted because ot its small capacity
and a group ot at least three airtankers should operate as a unit.
ACKNOWL'EDGEMEli'fS
The assistance ot Mr. R. Wadel', Edson Forest, Forest Service
and Mr. L. Dubuc, pilot, Mecury Alberta Flights Ltd., Edmonton during
t~e
air drop tests is greatly apprecited.
REFEREWCES
Anon.
1961.
Chemical. tor torelt tire fighting.
rorest ComIa1ttee. 2nd. edition (Boston:
A report of tbe NJ'PA
National Fire Protection
Alsociation), 112 pp. i11us.
DaviS, J. B., D. L. Dibble and K. L. Singer.
retardant chemicals at Pba
Attack Coor4inating
er••1t
~Ut.. ).
1962.
Tests ot tire
(A report torC&Ufornia Air
26 pp. illus.
Davis. J. B., C. B. Phillips, D. L. Dibble and L. V. Steck.
Operational tests ot two viscous DAP tire retardants.
1963.
U.S.
Forest Serv., Pacitic Soutb lorelt and Range Exp. Sta., Res.
Note PSW-N14, 11 pp., i11us.
Hardy, C. E.
1967.
The tire retardant development plateau. !!!. Western
Forest lire Conditions 1961 (Paper presented at Western Forestry
and Conservation Association Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington,
l)eoember', 1961).
1Iar4r'. C. '., I. C. Rothermel &ft4·3.
torelt tire retardants:
B. DaYi8.
1962 •. Bvaluatlon ot
a test at cbemicals on laboratory tires.
U.S. rarest Serv., Intermountain rarest and Ran.e EXp. Sta.,
No. 64, 33. pp.
111...
.,
... 32 ...
Hodgson, 11. S.
1967.
A procedure to evaluate ground dlstribut1 on
patterns tor water dropp1na a1reratt.
Canada Dept. 'or. &
Rural Dev., Forest 'ire Research Institute, Into.
FI'-X-9,
28 pp., illus.
MacPherson, J. I.
1967.
Ground distribution contour
tive tire-bombers ourrently used in Canada.
measurem~nts
rmc
tor
mAE Aero. Report
LR-493, National Research Council ot Canada, Ottawa, 66 pp., lllus •
•
- 33 -
APPINDIX
"t" testa for 1'1re-Trol 100 and Phos-Chek 205
air drop tests, mdson, Alberta.
Drop
Site
0
.005
Contour level (depth in inches)
.10
.01 .02
.04
.07
.15
.20
Ground
reeovery
(tJ,)
Open field
Area
l.ength
•
()
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
'*
*
*
*
*
*
'*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0
0
'0
Lodgepole pine
Area
*
0
Lena;P
*
*
*
*
*
*
*1
Whiteapru4W
Aapen
Area
Length
~
*
*
'*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
"
If
*
*
*
*