Impact of fuel bed permeability on feasibility of fire detection in waste and recycling materials

Abstract

Waste fire testing of deep-seated fires in a variety of materials identified that waste material fuel beds may be categorised by the permeability of the fuel bed with regards to the products of combustion including heat and flames. Current works experimental measurements showed that permeable fuel beds allow for the passage of heat through the fuel bed while impermeable fuel beds hinder the movement of a fire and of fire products. It is proposed, based on the observed differences in heat spread through and to the exterior of an impermeable versus a permeable fuel bed, that typical fire detection methods are less effective on impermeable fuel beds.