Characteristics of Externally Venting Flames and T

Authors: Eleni K Asimakopoulou Konstantinos Chotzoglou Dionysios I Kolaitis Maria A Founti

Publish Date: 2016/03/03

Volume: 52, Issue: 6, Pages: 2043-2069

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Abstract

In a compartment fire externally venting flames EVF may significantly increase the risk of fire spreading to adjacent floors or buildings EVFinduced risks are constantly growing due to the everincreasing trend of using combustible materials in building facades The main aim of this work is to investigate the fundamental physical phenomena associated with EVF and the factors influencing their dynamic development In this context a series of fire tests is conducted in a mediumscale compartmentfaçade configuration an nhexane liquid pool fire is employed aiming to realistically simulate an “expendable” fire source A parametric study is performed by varying the fire load density 12775 2555 and 511 MJ/m2 and ventilation factor 0071 and 0033 m3/2 Emphasis is given to characterization of the thermal field developing adjacent to the façade wall Experimental results suggest that the three characteristic EVF phases namely “internal flaming” “intermittent flame ejection” and “consistent external flaming” are mainly affected by the opening dimensions whereas the fuel load has a notable impact on the fuel consumption rate and heat flux to the façade Fuel consumption rates were found to increase with increasing fire load and opening area whereas the global equivalence ratio increases with decreasing opening factor The obtained extensive set of experimental data can be used to validate CFD fire models as well as to evaluate the accuracy of available fire design correlations

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