doi:10.3850/978-981-08-7724-8_05-02

ABSTRACT

Much information is available in the data collected in highly-instrumented large-scale fire tests, which is only partially utilised. As a step in the direction of correcting this deficiency, an analysis has been carried out to extract estimates of convective heat release rate and sprinkler response from ceiling gas temperature measurements. The method relies on published correlations for fires in rack-storage fuel arrays and, as such, does not represent a major scientific advance. From a practical viewpoint, however, the implementation of the method as an easy-to-use tool greatly reduces the level of effort required by this type of analysis, thereby making it possible on a routine basis. Though preliminary results have been encouraging, formal validation of the method still remains to be undertaken. Other useful enhancements and desirable additional capabilities are being considered. A feature slated for possible near-term implementation involves the calculation of metal target response based on the characterisation of the thermal environment through plate thermometer data.

Keywords: Ceiling layer, Large-scale fires, Convective heat release rate, Sprinkler response.

© 2011 CPD Unit, University of Leeds