Experimental investigation of liquid pool fires and externally venting flames in corridor-like enclosures

Konstantinos Chotzoglou, Eleni Asimakopoulou, Jianping Zhang, Michael A Delichatsios

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Abstract

Understanding of the physics and mechanisms of fire development and externally venting flames
(EVF) in corridor-like enclosures is fundamental to studying fire spread to adjacent floors in highrise
buildings. This work aims to investigate the burning behaviour of a liquid fuel pool fire in a
corridor-like enclosure and to identify the key factors influencing EVF characteristics and its impact
on façades. A series of experiments is conducted in a medium-scale corridor-facade configuration
using ethanol pool fires. A new fuel supply system has been developed to keep the fuel level constant
to minimize lip effects. The influence of fuel surface area and ventilation factor on the fire
development is also investigated. Experimental measurements consist of mass loss, heat release rate,
temperatures and heat fluxes inside the corridor and the facade. Three distinct burning regions are
observed and their characteristics as well as the ones of the subsequent EVF depend on the pan size
and ventilation factor. A power dependence of EVF height in relation to excess heat release rate has
been found. The impact of EVF on the façade has been investigated by means of heat flux at the
façade using thin steel plate probes measurements. EVF characteristics strongly depend on opening
characteristics; for large opening widths EVF tend to emerge from the opening as two separate fire
plumes
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 6 Jun 2018
Event7th International Conference on Structures in Fire - Zurich, Switzerland
Duration: 6 Jun 2012 → …

Conference

Conference7th International Conference on Structures in Fire
Period6/06/12 → …

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