Safe travels — avoiding oxygen fires in space craft/stations, aircraft and even hospitals
Without safety checks, effective systems and proven technology, where would the future of safe travel be? Developments in space travel are realising exciting opportunities for passenger experiences beyond the stratosphere. Elon Musk’s phenomenal project, SpaceX, provides a prime example of a private space transportation service already in operation. Virgin Galactic is testing its passenger vehicles for space travel and is due to launch by the end of 2018. How do these companies, as well as standard airlines ensure the safety of their crew and passengers? What precautions are being taken to avoid such ambitious projects ending in an expensive fiery tragedy?
Though snakes on a plane might make ‘Hollywood horror’ while soaring the skies, real safety concerns can arise from issues such as fires caused by faulty oxygen equipment. To prevent injury, death, system loss and the associated massive financial loss caused by oxygen equipment fires, highly effective and compatible materials, equipment and procedures are essential for the operation of these systems. Careful attention to the details of design and acceptance of all materials to be used in these systems is essential.
In airlines, space ships/stations, hospitals and any other environment or application where oxygen equipment is used, there is a common and always present fire risk. The results of hospital staff errors and poor patient supervision or inappropriate materials choices can be catastrophic. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA estimates there are about two oxygen fires each day in hospitals.
Who makes the standards and tests that keep us safe?
Over 12,000 American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International standards operate globally and improve the lives of millions every day. They enhance the performance of machinery and help everyone have confidence in the things they buy and use. ASTM International, one of the world’s leading standards organisations, has even recently started developing the standards for travel to Mars.
Professor Ted Steinberg of Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and his colleagues at ASTM International, have developed many standards and tests to prevent these catastrophes from occurring. Professor Steinberg was recently honoured with the ASTM International 2016 Charles B. Dudley Medal Award, for his work, and also for his work as author of many publications on this topic and as contributor, editor and co-editor of seven volumes of the series Flammability and Sensitivity of Materials in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres. The series has been acknowledged as a cornerstone of past and current work of the globally-recognised ASTM International committee G4 on the flammability and sensitivity of materials in oxygen enriched atmospheres, of which he leads the sub-committee on research. Professor Steinberg has been an ASTM International member for the past 28 years and was also honoured in 2011 as ASTM International’s Professor of the Year for his work in developing students’ understanding of standards.
QUT’s Professor Ted Steinberg and his collaborators developed a test for oxygen devices such as medical regulators. The test involves rapidly ‘slamming’ (compressing) the device with oxygen at a higher pressure than it is exposed to in normal conditions or use. Manufacturers who want to bring new products to market test their products to make sure the design is robust and they have identified any potential issues related to the products’ flammability in oxygen prior to entering the marketplace.
Professor Steinberg’s work in this area started while working for NASA White Sands Test Facility for twelve years, where he received two NASA certificates of recognition for developing pioneering microgravity combustion tests of metals and developing a model for metals combustion in oxygen. He was also awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from NASA in recognition of his “…dedication, commitment to excellence, and achievements in support of the USA’s Space Shuttle Program” and worked for Lockheed Corp., where he was awarded Lockheed’s Robert E. Gross Award for Engineer of the Year.
Contact Professor Steinberg for more information about his research.
Find out more about research at QUT.
