Analysis of Smoldering Fires in Closed Compartments and Their Hazard Due to Carbon Monoxide.
Analysis of Smoldering Fires in Closed Compartments and
Their Hazard Due to Carbon Monoxide.
(1896 K)
Quintiere, J. G.; Birky, M. M.; McDonald, F.; Smith, G.
NBSIR 82-2556; 42 p. July 1982.
Fire and Materials, Vol. 6, No. 3-4, 99-110,
September-December 1982.
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
Order number: PB82-257684
Keywords:
building fires; carbon monoxide; compartment fires;
smoldering; oxygen consumption
Abstract:
A review was made of smoldering fire experiments
conducted in closed room and buildings. The results
were summarized by tabulating maximum levels of CO, the
time integral of CO concentration ("dose"), CO2,
temperature rise and oxygen consumption. A hazard time
based on the attainment of a CO dose equal to 4.5%
CO-minutes and the time for transition to flaming were
also tabulated. The likelihood of reaching a critical
CO condition during smoldering seems to be comparable to
the likelihood of having transition to flaming occur. A
theoretical model, requiring inputs of CO production
rate and energy release rate, was executed an compared
with available data. The theoretical results for CO
concentration as a function of time were in good
agreement with the experimental data. The model offers
a means of extrapolating test data to compartments of
various size in order to assess the general hazard of CO
due to smoldering.
