A computational fluid dynamic model of fire burning rate and extinction by water sprinkler

Abstract

A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) study is combined with an experimental program to develop a model of burning rate and extinction in fires. The ultimate objective is to predict extinguishment by water droplets and thereby determine the water requirement for the extinction of actual fires. The experimental program is conducted in a full-size fire gallery with a commercial sprinkler system installed in the roof. Water droplet size distribution, velocities and mass flux from the sprinkler are measured as inputs for the computations. Horizontal sheets of polymethylmethacrylate 1 metre square are uniformly ignited and burned in a draft of about 1 m/s. Burning rates are monitored by load cell a..