Hold time calculations for non-standard enclosures

Current methods of calculating hold time for a fire fighting gas assume that the enclosure is of uniform horizontal cross-sectional area and has horizontal upper and lower boundaries (a standard enclosure). The paper shows that the hold time equation for continuous mixing in standard enclosures may also be used for non-standard enclosures, presents exact and simplified equations for descending interfaces in non-standard enclosures, and discusses the accuracy of the simplified equation. Considering the error when the simplified equation is applied to standard enclosures, and that it is always conservative for an enclosure of any shape, it is suggested that it may be used as an approximation for non-standard enclosures. The paper also presents a hold time equation for a descending interface in a standard enclosure with laminar flow in the leaks. Reprinted by permission of the publisher. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]