Defining Flashover for Fire Hazard Calculations.
Defining Flashover for Fire Hazard Calculations.
(1106 K)
Peacock, R. D.; Reneke, P. A.; Bukowski, R. W.;
Babrauskas, V.
Fire Safety Journal, Vol. 32, No. 4, 331-345, June
1999.
Keywords:
flashover; fire hazard; computer models; experiments;
fire models; heat flux; temperature correlations;
validation; performance based codes
Abstract:
As the use of performance-based methods for evaluating
the fire behavior of materials and systems becomes more
widespread, objective criteria to judge fire behavior
become more important. This paper reviews techniques for
predicting the most common of these criteria, the onset
of flashover. The experimental basis for working
definitions of flashover is reviewed. Comparisons of
available calculational procedures ranging from simple
correlations to computer-based fire models that can be
used to estimate flashover are presented. Although the
techniques range in complexity and results, the various
predictions give estimates commensurate with the
precision of available experimental data.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899