Numerical investigation of externally venting flame characteristics in a corridor-façade configuration

Abstract

This study investigates numerically the burning behaviour of a liquid pool fire in a medium-scale corridor-like enclosure in order to identify the key factors influencing External Venting Flames (EVF) characteristics as well as heat impact of the EVF on façades. Simulations were performed for four door-like openings with the fire located either at the front or back of the enclosure and the predicted gas temperatures and heat fluxes are analysed and compared with experimental data. Results show that FDS generally predicts accurately the gas temperature inside the corridor and captures well the detachment and propagation of the flame when the burner is positioned at the back of the corridor. The heat fluxes on the floor of the corridor are reasonably predicted in terms of both trends and maximum values for the cases where the fire is located at the back of corridor but generally under-predicted for the test cases where the burner is located at the front. Though similar trends, the predicted heat fluxes on the façade are considerably lower than the measurements highlighting the importance of accurate prediction of the burning characteristics of the EVF on the heat impact on the facade.