Evaluation of the Computer Fire Model DETACT-QS.
Evaluation of the Computer Fire Model DETACT-QS.
(222 K)
Hurley, M. J.; Madrzykowski, D.
Performance-Based Codes and Fire Safety Design Methods,
4th International Conference. Proceedings. March
20-22, 2002, Melbourne, Australia, Almand, K.; Coate,
C.; England, P.; Gordon, J., Editor(s)(s), 241-252 pp,
2002.
Sponsor:
National Institute of Standards and Technology,
Gaithersburg, MD
Keywords:
performance based codes; fire safety; case histories;
fire models; computer models; evaluation; sensitivity
analysis; scenarios; heat release rate; ceiling height;
ceiling jets; temperature
Abstract:
The proper use of engineering design methods requires an
understanding of their applicability and limitations,
since all design methods are, at least to a certain
extent, empirically based. Equations or constants used
within design methods are frequently based on curve fits
to data from experiments. Typically, the experiments
used to develop the correlations were conducted under a
limited set of conditions, e.g., compartment sizes, heat
release rates or fire growth rates. If the design method
is used for an application that falls outside of the
bounds of the experiments used to develop the
correlations used in the design method, uncertainty may
be introduced. The potential for uncertainty in computer
models is greater than within basic closed form
equations. Errors can be introduced in the numerical
methods used to solve integral or differential
equations, or more simply in math errors that were
created during coding of the program.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899