POSSIBILITIES OF HUMAN’S LONG STAY IN ARGON CONTAINING GASEOUS ENVIRONMENT REDUCING FIRE RISK IN HERMETICALLY SEALED FACILITIES

The aim of the study is feasibility for permissibility of human's long and constant stay as well as tasks performance in hermetically sealed facility with artificial normobaric argon containing hypoxic gaseous environment (ArHGE), reducing the fire and ignition risk. Methods. The study was conducted with participation of 6 test men aged 20 to 51 year, classified as fit for sailing in submarines. The duration of sealed period was 60 days, during which the test men carried out a work program, consisting of the daily modeling professional activity. Results. It was shown that long-term (for 60 days) constant stay of test men in predetermined ArHGE (argon content 30-35 %, oxygen 13,5-14,5 % carbon dioxide - 0.8 %, nitrogen - the rest) did not result in unacceptable somatic health functional status and capability distress. Among the negative evidences, only minor subjective reactions, moderate compensatory stress of oxygen transport function, decrease in maximum aerobic performance (up to 17 % of background level) were noticed, that generally allowed the test men to perform the activity tasks without substantial damage to their efficiency and reliability. Conclusion. The obtained data proved feasibility of creation such environment at inhabited hermetically sealed facilities to increase their fire safety.