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Launch Pad and NFPA 496/497 requirements

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markk2pe

Aerospace
Mar 12, 2018
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US
We are trying to duplicate an existing launch pad that is in New Zealand. We have to meet more stringent requirements here in the USA. They have a launch mount assembly that consists of a base and a strong back assembly that the rocket is placed on in the horizontal and then is rotated to the vertical. This base and strong back have electronic controls (24 Volt, 20 to 40 Watts, and 4-20 ma). The commodities used are LO2 and RP-1 (similar to kerosene). The electrical engineer thinks the launch mount needs to be pressurized to 0.1 inch water, but the launch mount is porous, a metal structure that just has sheet metal bolted over the openings. It can't hold that pressure. It's not clear to me why the electrical engineer thinks RP-1 is hazardous and needs to be purged.

My question is, if we removed all the sheet metal covering the openings, so the wind could blow throught the launch mount and it is no longer enclosed, would that alleviate the need to purge/pressurize the area?
 
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