Fire Dynamics II: Lecture # 1 Introduction / Enclosure Phenomena

Fire Dynamics II
Lecture # 1
Introduction / Enclosure Phenomena
Jim Mehaffey
82.583 or CVG****
Carleton University, 82.583

(CVG****), Fire Dynamics II,
Winter 2003 Lecture # 1
Fire Dynamics II
82.583 or CVG****
Lectures: Wednesdays 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Room 404, Southam Hall
Lecturer: Dr. Jim Mehaffey, Forintek
Tel: (613) 523-0927
Fax: (613) 523-0502
[email protected]
Recommended Text Books

Dougal Drysdale, An Introduction to Fire Dynamics,
Wiley, 1999
Bjrn Karlsson and James G. Quintiere, Enclosure
Fire Dynamics, CRC Press, 2000
SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 3rd
Ed., 2002
Lecture Notes
http://www.carleton.ca/~ghadjiso/

82.575 Fire Dynamics I

Introduction to basic chemistry & physics of fire
Simple mathematical models describing fires
developing in the open
82.583 Fire Dynamics II

How are basic chemistry & physics altered
when fire develops within an enclosure
Simple mathematical models describing fires
developing in enclosures

82.579 Introduction to Fire Protection

Engineering (1998, 1999 & 2000)
82.579 = Fire Dynamics I + Fire Dynamics II,
but delivered in one term, not two terms

Fire Dynamics II - Course Description

Course addresses the dynamics of fires in buildings.
Phenomena that govern ignition, fire growth and
severity, temperature and pressure development,
toxicity and visibility are investigated. Fire Dynamics II
builds on basic concepts presented in Fire Dynamics I.
The way containment modifies fire processes is
highlighted. Particular emphasis is placed on the
reaction of people, buildings and building components
to exposure by fire. This basic background provides a
foundation for beginning the process of designing a
fire safe building.
Enclosure Fire Dynamics

Fires develop differently in an enclosure than in
the open
Limited supply rate of oxygen causes a
reduction in the rate of burning
Trapping of heat in the enclosure causes an
increase in the rate of burning
Enclosure fire dynamics is a competition
between these two effects

Proposed Course Outline

Lecture 1: Introduction / Enclosure Phenomena
Lecture 2: Ceiling Jets & Ceiling Flames
Lecture 3: Accumulation or Smoke Filling
Lecture 4: Vent Flows
Lecture 5: Chemistry of Room Fire Combustion
Lecture 6: Smoke and Heat Venting
Winter Break: February 17-23
Proposed Course Outline (continued)

Lecture 7: Heat Flow Calculations
Lecture 8: Flame Spread & Burning Rates
Lecture 9: Room-fire Dynamics
Lecture 10: Pre-flashover Fire
Lecture 11: Post-flashover Fire
Lecture 12: Backdrafts & Explosions

Grading
Problem Sets: 60%
Final Exam: 40%
Problem Sets
Number 1: Distributed during Lecture 3
Final Exam
For evaluation purposes only. Not returned to students.
10
Introduction / Enclosure Phenomena

Outline
How does confinement impact fire dynamics?
What types of models, in addition to those we
have seen for fires burning in the open (in Fire
Dynamics I) will be needed to describe building
fires?
Well look at the details of these new models in
subsequent lectures.
11
Consider an Unconfined Fire Plume (1)

12
Unconfined Fire Plume

Properties of an unconfined fire plume depend on
Rate of heat release
Diameter of fire base
Models are available (Fire Dynamics I) to predict
Flame length
Axial temperature as a function of height
Upward axial velocity as a function of height
Virtual point source (of buoyant plume)
Radius (of buoyant plume)
Total upward mass flow (of buoyant plume)
Concentration of CO & soot (in buoyant plume)
13
Consider a Fire Plume Confined by a Ceiling

14
Unconfined Ceiling Jet

Need to model ceiling jet in order to predict time to
activation of sprinklers or heat detectors
Properties of ceiling jet depend on
Rate of heat release
Diameter of fire base
Height of ceiling
Models are available (Fire Dynamics I) to predict
Max. temperature as a function of radial distance
Maximum velocity as a function of radial distance
Time to activation of sprinklers or heat detectors if
they are subjected to max. temp & velocity
15

Take a deeper look at unconfined ceiling jets
review various models for ceiling jets
what do temperature and velocity profiles below the
ceiling look like (will the sprinkler be located where
maxima in temperature & velocity occur)?
what happens if the rate of heat release is strongly
time-dependent?
what if the ceiling jet is immersed within a hot upper
layer?

16
Consider a Ceiling Flame

17

For ceiling flames
model flame extension under the ceiling
investigate the impact of flame extension under a
ceiling on radiant heat transfer to (and rate of
burning of) the burning object
****************************************************************
For flames above a burning object located against
a wall or in a corner
investigate the effect of asymmetric and reduced
entrainment of air on flame dynamics
18
Development of a Hot Smoke Layer

19
Development of a Hot Smoke Layer
Ceiling jet eventually reaches enclosure walls

Hot gas is forced downward along wall
Hot gas is buoyant so flow turns upward
Layer of hot gas forms under ceiling
Lecture 3: Accumulation or Smoke Filling

Models for rate of descent of the hot layer
Properties of hot layer (temperature, gas & soot
concentrations)
20
10
Interaction with Openings

If there is an opening to an adjacent room or to
the outdoors, the hot layer flows out of the
opening when it descends to top of opening
Heat in enclosure break windows and thereby
create an opening as fire develops
Hot gas exits from upper part of opening and
fresh air enters through lower part

21
Lecture 4: Vents Flows

Models for rate of exit of hot gas from enclosure
through an opening
Models for rate of entry of air into enclosure
through an opening
Model for maximum possible rate of heat
release for a ventilation-controlled fire

22
11
Rate of Ventilation of Fire

Fires burning in the open are well-ventilated. Air can
readily approach a fire from all sides.
Fires burning within enclosures often burn in poorlyventilated conditions.
Lecture 5: Chemistry of Room Fire Combustion
Models to predict impact of reduced ventilation on:
effective heat of combustion
yields of combustion products (CO, CO2, soot)

23
Lecture 6: Smoke and Heat Venting

In an enclosure fire, smoke and heat in the hot upper
layer are dangerous for occupants, fire fighters,
expensive equipment and / or stored goods
For these reasons either natural or mechanical venting
is sometimes employed to keep the upper layer above
a predetermined height
Models to predict size of openings required or rate of
mechanical venting needed to meet design objectives

24
12
Lecture 7: Heat Flow Calculations

25
Lecture 8: Flame Spread & Burning Rates

Models for predicting how thermal radiation
from hot upper layer can
Increase rate of flame spread across combustibles
Increase rate of burning of combustibles

26
13

27

Flashover: Transition from burning of one or a
few objects to full room involvement
Fire development: experimental findings
Impact of ventilation and boundary types
Fire growth: combustible linings

28
14
Lecture 10: Pre-flashover Fire

Models for rate of heat release required for
flashover to occur
Models for time to flashover
Models for temperature in hot smoky layer

29
Lecture 11: Post-flashover Fire

Models for rate of heat release
Models for hot gas temperature in enclosure
Models for response of structural elements and
enclosure boundaries
Rational requirements for fire resistance

30
15

Explosions:
Fuel and air premixed
Following ignition rapid combustion
Deflagration (flame propagates through mixture)
Large pressure rise
Enclosure walls & ceiling may not be able to
withstand pressure explosion
Explosion venting

31

Backdrafts:
Limited ventilation large quantity of unburnt gas
When opening suddenly introduced, inflowing air
mixes with gas creating flammable mixture
Ignition source ignites flammable mixture, resulting
in an extremely rapid burning
Expansion due to heat released expels burning
gas through opening & causes fireball outside
enclosure
Draftdrafts can be extremely hazardous

32
16

BLEVE: Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion
Propane is a liquid under atmospheric conditions
Liquified by application of pressure & stored in tank
In tank, liquid & vapour at equilibrium, with vapour
at high pressure
If tank immersed in fire, heat causes evaporation of
liquid and higher vapour pressure
Activates relief valve (turbulent jet flame)
Pressure may still rise and fire may weaken metal
casing.
Tank ruptures BLEVE
33
Kemano Public Safey Initiative

Remote company town closed: July 2000
Firefighter training & fire research
Forintek invited to participate
Partners:
National Research Council

Weyerhaeuser

34
17

35
The Fire Test Program

6 fire experiments were conducted in oneand two-family houses
Fires allowed to grow and challenge
houses wood-frame structures
No (or delayed) fire suppression
Temperatures measured at 50 locations in
rooms and assemblies
36
18
Ignition Source
First item ignited: plastic waste-paper
basket filled with polyurethane chips and
shredded paper
Waste-paper basket in contact with
upholstered furniture or mattress
Intent: quickly establish a large fire that
challenges the wood-frame structure
37
The Ignition Source

38
19
Rate of Heat Release: Ignition Source

35
Heat Release Rate (kW)
30
25
20
15
10
0
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Time (s)
39
Fire Test # 1
Living room fully furnished
Walls: wood studs protected by regular
gypsum board
Ceiling: wood joists protected by regular
gypsum board
Doors covered / windows partially open

40
20
Fire Test # 2
Same as Fire Test # 1 except:
Walls and ceiling protected by fire-rated
gypsum board

41
Fire Tests # 1 & 2

Purposes:
Compare abilities of wood-frame walls and
ceilings protected by regular & fire-rated
gypsum board to contain fire in room of
origin
Generate data to validate computer
models predicting thermal response of
fire-rated wood-frame assemblies
42
21
Video Clip
Fire Test 2

43
Fire Exposures
1200 .0
Living Room Fire s - Duplex
1000 .0
ASTM E 119 & CAN/UL C-S1 01
Temperature ( C)
800 .0
600 .0
400 .0
200 .0
0 .0
0 .0
10 .0
20 .0 University,
3082.583
.0
Carleton
(CVG****), Fire
Dynamics
Time
(min)II,
40 .0
50 .0
44 60 .0
S -987
22
Kemano Fire Tests
15.9-mm Type X gypsum board

nearly withstands room burnout

45
23

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Fire Dynamics II

Carleton University, 82.583

Recommended Text Books

Carleton University, 82.583

82.575 Fire Dynamics I

82.583 Fire Dynamics II

Carleton University, 82.583

82.579 Introduction to Fire Protection

Carleton University, 82.583

Fire Dynamics II - Course Description

Enclosure Fire Dynamics

Carleton University, 82.583

Proposed Course Outline

Proposed Course Outline (continued)

Carleton University, 82.583

Introduction / Enclosure Phenomena

Consider an Unconfined Fire Plume (1)

Carleton University, 82.583

Unconfined Fire Plume

Consider a Fire Plume Confined by a Ceiling

Carleton University, 82.583

Unconfined Ceiling Jet

Lecture 2: Ceiling Jets & Ceiling Flames

Carleton University, 82.583

Consider a Ceiling Flame

Carleton University, 82.583

Lecture 2: Ceiling Jets & Ceiling Flames

Development of a Hot Smoke Layer

Carleton University, 82.583

Development of a Hot Smoke Layer

Ceiling jet eventually reaches enclosure walls

Lecture 3: Accumulation or Smoke Filling

Interaction with Openings

Carleton University, 82.583

Lecture 4: Vents Flows

Carleton University, 82.583

Rate of Ventilation of Fire

Carleton University, 82.583

Lecture 6: Smoke and Heat Venting

Carleton University, 82.583

Lecture 7: Heat Flow Calculations

Carleton University, 82.583

Lecture 8: Flame Spread & Burning Rates

Carleton University, 82.583

Lecture 9: Room-fire Dynamics

Carleton University, 82.583

Lecture 9: Room-fire Dynamics

Carleton University, 82.583

Lecture 10: Pre-flashover Fire

Carleton University, 82.583

Lecture 11: Post-flashover Fire

Carleton University, 82.583

Lecture 12: Backdrafts & Explosions

Carleton University, 82.583

Lecture 12: Backdrafts & Explosions

Carleton University, 82.583

Lecture 12: Backdrafts & Explosions

Kemano Public Safey Initiative