Laboratory Services

SINTEF NBL offers experimental studies in addition to standard testing, for example ad hoc experiments or performance tests, as well as field tests.

Laboratory testing

• Through active research by SINTEF NBL, integrated tools for analyses of steel and aluminium structures exposed to fire, are developed. Tests are conducted on 2- and 3-dimensional steel construction models identical to platform constructions offshore. The objective of the tests was to compare the calulation results from the integrated analysis tool with results from a real fire test.
  
  
• An experimental study of spontaneous ignition of glycol contaiminated Rockwool insulation was carried out by SINTEF NBL as in 2002.  The study was initated by a sudden and powerful fire in a container at one of TotalFinaElfs platforms at the Frigg field in the North Sea in 2001.  The temperature increased gradually during all the 14 tests conducted at the laboratory, and a autoignition of the glycol occured in 6 of 14 cases.  The study demonstrated that a slow heat generation, heat storage and spontaneous ignition might happen to oil with a high flash point under non-conducting conditions.
   
• Studies of deluge systems used offshore are carried out by SINTEF NBL in the project called Deluge systems as a fire safety design parameter.  The objective was to establish a basis of predictive methods in terms of extinguishing effects and reduced heat development in case of fire.
  
  
• After the  Scandinavian Star-disaster  an identical corridor and stairway were built up in the test hall in order to investigate what happened during the fire.
  
  
• Experimental studies were done where the objective was to find which visual fire patterns and chemical traces to expect if a fire was started using different types of liquid accelerants on different types of floor coverings.
  
  
• Tests to find materials reaction to fire have been carried out to design train seats and choose the most suitable fabric when it comes to fire safety.
  
  
• In an experimental study concerning tunnelling, a tunnel was built in scale 1:10 in the laboratory. The objective of the study was to examine the smoke- and heat exposure in tunnels under construction in case of fire.
  

Outdoor testing

• An outdoor test facility allows full-scale fire exposure to pressurised vessels and process equipment until rupture. The key feature is to utilise a propane supply of up to 1 kg/s and a variable, low cost  enclosure that allows fire loads in the range of  250-300 kW/m2 over a larger volume than regular test furnaces.
  

Field testing

• Full-scaled tests have been carried out in tunnels at Runehamer and by IFs safety centre in Hobøl.
  Some of these tests are a part of the EU-project  UPTUN and the objective in this project was to find cost-effective methods for tunnel fire safety.

Please mail or call SINTEF NBL for more info.