Upward Flame Spread on Vertical Surfaces.
Upward Flame Spread on Vertical Surfaces.
(599 K)
Beyler, C. L.; Hunt, S. P.; Iqbal, N.; Williams, F. W.
NRL/MR/6180-97/7908; NISTIR 6030; 53 p. January 13,
1997.
U.S./Japan Government Cooperative Program on Natural
Resources (UJNR). Fire Research and Safety. 13th Joint
Panel Meeting. Volume 1. NISTIR 6030. March 13-20,
1996, Gaithersburg, MD, Beall, K. A., Editor(s), 121-128
pp, 1997.
Sponsor:
Naval Sea Systems Command, Arlington, VA
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
Order number: PB97-184204
Keywords:
flame spread; computer programs; wall fires; material
properties; small scale fire tests
Abstract:
A model which describes the physical processes of upward
flame spread and fire growth on wall materials has been
developed and implemented as a computer program. The
computer based flame spread model simulates the fire
growth along a vertical combustible wall. The vertical
wall material may be heated by an imposed external heat
flux and is ignited at its bottom edge with a flame from
a line burner of user specified strength. The model
predicts the flame spread rate, the heat release rate of
the fire, the flame height, the net heat flux to the
wall surface and the time varying surface temperatures.
The model uses inputs developed from cone calorimeter
data. The results from the model compare favorably to
experimental upward flame spread results for
polymethylmethacrylate, plywood and wood particle board
found in the literature. The sensitivity of the model
to material thermal properties, flame heat flux and
flame height are systematically examined.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899