2. Where to get more information
Spark Arrester qualification & testing:
USDA Forest Service
Technology & Development Center
Lesson East Bonita Avenue
444 Objectives
San Dimas, CA 91773
Name three types of spark arresters
Attn: Ralph Gonzales
State the maximum size of carbon
particle that can safely enter the air
(909) 599-1267 x 212
Name(909) 592-2309 where spark arrester
Fax: the facility
programs and the Spark Arrester Guide
are managed
Website: http://fsweb.sdtdc.wo.fs.fed.us
3D-02-P101-EP
5. Cone of Learning
10 % of what we read Reading
20 % of what we hear Hearing Words
30% of what we see Looking at Pictures
Watching a Movie
50 % of what we
hear and see Looking at an Exhibit
Watching a Demonstration
Seeing it done on Location
70% of what Participating in a
we say Discussion
Giving a Talk
Doing a Dramatic
Presentation
90% of what we
both say Simulating the Real Experience
and do
Doing the Real Thing
3D-05-P101-EP
8. The Basics
Exhaust streams and
surfaces reach 1000
o
F during operation
3D-08-P101-EP
9. The Basics – Ways to Prevent Fire
Starts From Internal Combustion
Engines
Reduce exhaust gas temperature
Reduce surface temperature or
prevent from contact with fuels
Limit carbon particle size to
under 0.023 inches (0.058 mm)
3D-09-P101-EP
10. The Basics
Carbon particles greater than 0.023 inch in
diameter have enough energy to start a fire
3D-10-P101-EP
19. Required Features on General Purpose
Spark Arresters
Markings
Manufacturer name or trademark
Spark arrester model number
“Screen type” for screen type spark arresters
Cleanout device
Cleanout plug
Removable end cap
Cleanout band
3D-19-P101-EP
20. What Kinds Of
Equipment
Need A Spark
Arrester?
3D-20-P101-EP
21. Federal Code for Public Lands
36 Code of Federal Regulations
Section 261.52
All internal and external combustion
engines operated in Federally managed
lands must be equipped with a qualified
spark arrester.
3D-21-P101-EP
24. Exemptions
Power units equipped with a turbocharger.
100 % of exhaust gasses must pass thru the
turbine wheel.
No waste gate or any other by-pass
Registered vehicles
o Check with Your Local agency. Generally Street
legal vehicles do not require an approved spark
arrester device.
3D-24P101-EP
25. What Makes A spark Arrester
Qualified?
It Must meet one of these standards
USDA 5100-1c
SAE J335
SAE J350
SAE J342
(SAE= Society of American
Engineers)
3D-25-P101-EP
26. How can it be determined that it
meets those standards?
The easiest way (the only way) is
that it is listed in one of the Spark
Arrester Guides
3D-26-P101-EP
27. Spark Arrester Guides
The Spark Arrester
Guide is a set of
books listing all spark
arresters evaluated at
SDTDC that meet the
requirements in FS
5100-1c
3D-26-P101-EP
29. Types of Engines (Power units)
General Purpose
o Heavy equipment
o Portable power equipment
o OHV vehicles
o Small engines
Multi-position Small Engines
o Chainsaw
o Other than Chainsaw (string trimmers, brush cutters)
Locomotives
o Diesel
o Coal-fired, oil-fired
3D-29-P101-EP
30. General Purpose Spark Arresters
Requirements
Trap or pulverizing type
80 % effectiveness (90% hot test)
80 % cleanout effectiveness
Screen Type
no opening greater than .023 inch
diameter
effective screen open area is 200 %
greater than smallest restriction on
exhaust port.
3D-30-P101-EP
33. Trap / Pulverizing Type Testing
• arrester is mounted in the test chamber
• the blower provides air into the arrester
• carbon is injected into the arrester
• the carbon is collected, sieved and weighed
• a minimum of ten runs is required
• five test points (100 % of rated flow, 10 % rated
flow, & three evenly spaced in between)
• two runs per test point
• 2 runs at 2 psi back pressure
next
3D-33-P101-EP
34. General Purpose – Marking
Requirement
Manufacturer Name or Trademark
Spark Arrester Model Name or Number
“Screen type” if a screen type spark
arrester
3D-34-P101-EP
35. Multi-position Small Engine
Tested in accordance with:
SAE J335 Multi-position Small Engine Exhaust
System Fire Ignition Suppression
Types of MSE
Chain Saw
Other than chain saws
trimmers
blowers
high pressure washers
etc...
3D-35-P101-EP
38. Multi-position Small Engine
Exposed Surface Temperature - not to exceed
550oF
• exposed surface is an surface which comes in contact with or
intersects the contact plane
Exhaust Gas Temperature - not to exceed
475oF
• measured were exhaust gas impinges on contact plane
Contact Plane
• a flat plane around the exhaust system
• determined by moving a test plate around the exhaust system
with power head on a flat surface.
3D-38-P101-EP
41. Marking Requirements
Manufacturer generated number
Does not have to be a full model number
Power unit needs to be marked:
With manufacturer name or trademark
Power unit model number
3D-41-P101-EP
42. General Purpose & Multi-position
Small Engine Spark Arresters
General Purpose Multi-position
particle size no greater Small Engine
than .023 in diameter particle size no greater
waivers are allowed than .023 in diameter
must be positively waivers are allowed
identifiable must be positively
fixed position (45o identifiable
deviation) Multi-position
assigned a rated flow qualified with a specific
no temperature power head
requirements surface & exhaust gas
temps.
3D-42-P101-EP
44. Quiz #1
1. What is a spark arrester?
2. Which pieces of equipment are required to have a spark
arrester?
3. What is a general purpose engine?
4. What is a multi-position small engine?
5. What are the three types of spark arresters?
a.
b.
c.
6. What are the marking requirements for a trap type and for a
screen type?
next
3D-44-P101-EP
45. Quiz #1
7. Name one thing that a trap type arrester must
have?
8. How do you know if a spark arrester is qualified?
9. What is the largest screen opening that a screen
type spark arrester may have?
back
3D-45-P101-EP
47. Identifying Spark Arresters
General Purpose Multi-position
• Displays MFG Small Engine
Trademark or name • It must be in the
• Stamped with the Guide
Model number • Displays the Model
• “Screen type” number of power unit
• Has Cleanout Device
• Must be in the Guide
3D-47-P101-EP
48. Identifying Spark Arresters
US Forest Service
Approved
Forestry Approved
Department of
Forestry Approved
Does not
mean its
qualified!
3D-48-P101-EP
53. Spark Arrester Maintenance
Spark Arrester must
be properly
maintained to be
effective
Cleanout must be
emptied periodically
Condition of the
engine affects spark
arrester
effectiveness
3D-53-P101-EP
62. Turbo vs. Superchargers
Turbocharger
• Exhaust is directed thru a turbine to run a
compressor
• 100 % of exhaust must pass thru turbine wheel
• Not waste gate allowed
Supercharger
• Direct link to engine
• Does not function as an arrester
3D-62-P101-EP
65. Position of Application
Only applies to
General Purpose
Horizontal
Vertical
Inverted
Multi-position (Screen
Type)
Not more than 45
degrees from the
mounted position
3D-65-P101-EP
66. Mufflers
Mufflers
Mandatory for street legal vehicles
Designed for sound, they do not arrest carbon particles
Catalytic Converter
Also required for post 1975 gas powered vehicles
For emissions,they do not arrest sparks
Subject to high temperatures (2000 F)
Some qualified spark arresters have catalyst
3D-66-P101-EP
68. Spark Arrester Guide Vol. 1 & 2
SAG is no longer published on paper
Updates are done electronically for both
MSE & GP spark arresters
Updates include all qualified spark
arresters since the publication of the
latest SAG
SDTDC is available for reference
3D-68-P101-EP
69. On-Line Spark Arrester Guide
Searchable Database
By manufacturer name
Model number
Power unit
Position
More Frequent Updates
Quarterly
Downloadable
PDF
3D-69-P101-EP
77. Fire Investigation
The have test records for everything
tested at the facility
They can run efficiency tests on exhaust
hardware for evidentiary purposes
Can provide expert testimony (If the US
Forest Service is party to suit)
3D-77-P101-EP
81. Fire Investigation
What SDTDC cannot do.
Cannot do analysis on collected debris.
(They are not an approved Crime Lab for
evidence processing)
3D-78-P101-EP
83. Locomotive Spark Arresters
Tested in accordance with:
Association of American Railroads
Recommended practice
SAE Recommended Practice J342
Tested on site with a portable unit.
3D-83-P101-EP
89. Where to get more information
Spark Arrester qualification & testing:
USDA Forest Service
Technology & Development Center
444 East Bonita Avenue
San Dimas, CA 91773
Attn: Ralph Gonzales
(909) 599-1267 x 212
Fax: (909) 592-2309
Website: http://fsweb.sdtdc.wo.fs.fed.us
3D-89-P101-EP
90. Where to get more information
Spark Arrester qualification & testing:
USDA Forest Service
Technology & Development Center
Summary & Bonita Avenue
444 East Review Lesson Objectives
San Dimas, CA 91773
Name three types of spark arresters
Attn: Ralph Gonzales
State the maximum size of carbon
particle that can safely enter the air
(909) 599-1267 x 212
Name(909) 592-2309 where spark arrester
Fax: the facility
programs and the Spark Arrester Guide
are managed
Website: http://fsweb.sdtdc.wo.fs.fed.us
3D-90-P101-EP
Notas do Editor
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Click on my email address to send me a message.
Steam locomotives were notorious fire starters.
The trap type also refereed to as a turbine type spark arrester. The exhaust gasses are made to swirl by the stationary vane. Larger particles are forced outward by centrifugal force.
Screen material must be heat and corrosion resistant. A 30 mesh (30 wires per inch) stainless steel wire screen is typically used.
Disc type spark arresters works the same way screen types do. Watch for uneven spacing. Some misinformed users may insert spacers to increase the openings between discs.
Note that the words “US Forest Service Approved” is not a required marking.
Click on the link to view examples of external combustion engines.
Click on the link to view examples of external combustion engines.
Click on the link to view examples of external combustion engines.
SAE stands for Society of Automotive Engineers.
Spark Arrester Guides may be ordered from: National Interagency Fire Center, Attn: Great Basin Cache Supply Office, 3833 S. Development Av., Boise, ID 83705-5354
Spark Arrester Guides may be ordered from: National Interagency Fire Center, Attn: Great Basin Cache Supply Office, 3833 S. Development Av., Boise, ID 83705-5354
Spark Arresters have to be properly maintained
Traps must be emptied periodically.
Poor maintenance greatly affects the performance of the spark arrester.