Experimental Study of Top Vented Compartment Fires.
Experimental Study of Top Vented Compartment Fires.
(1592 K)
Tu, K. M.
NISTIR 4499; 33 p. February 1991.
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
Order number: PB91-167254
Keywords:
ceiling vents; compartment fires; density differential;
fire models; flow rate; pressure differential; vents
Abstract:
In a top vented compartment fire, both density
difference and pressure difference across the horizontal
ceiling vent control the vent flow. This research work
pursued experimental studies and investigations of
exchange flows through a horizontal ceiling vent as
related to solely top vented compartment fire
situations. A cubic box with inside dimensions of 0.43 x
0.43 x 0.43 m high (17 x 17 x 17 in) and walls of 0.025
m (1 in) thick Kaowool was employed for the compartment
fire tests. For compartment fires of various horizontal
ceiling vent sizes: (1) the fuel mass burning rates
were measured, and (2) the air and combustion-flue-gas
exchange flow rates were estimated based on [i]
available theories and [ii] gas concentrations in the
fire compartment.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899