The behaviors of flame propagation and quenching ability in a pipe were investigated to make a design criteria of flame arrester. The effects of the number of wire gauzes and free area on the quenching ability were discussed. Experimental results showed that the flame velocity was important factor of the quenching ability. The flame velocity in case of closed pipe was increased about twenty times faster then that of opened. The quenching ability was increased about 10% with 3% decrease of free area and it was changed significantly by the sealing condition of the pipe end. The quenching flame velocity can be estimated by using experimental equations.