Fire and Smoke Modelling The Importance of Using a Suitable Tool

Gabriele Vigne, Philip Borowiec, Jimmy Jnsson. Arup Fire

Combustion and Fire Dynamics, Santander, 20th October 2010.

Overview
Introduction Overview of the most common Modelling Tools Examples of Good Practice Verification and Validation Tunnel Example Conclusions

Introduction

Fire and Smoke Modelling The Importance of Using a Suitable Tool

Introduction
Fire and Smoke Modelling is becoming an important part of Fire Safety Engineering
Simple Hand-Calcs to Advanced Computer Simulations Which model do what Which one is suitable for the specific design pourpose Knowledge and understanding of limitations A number of factors should be considered when selecting a model for a problem Computational resources, time limitations, required level of accuracy, appropriateness of governing equations

Modelling Tools

Fire and Smoke Modelling The Importance of Using a Suitable Tool

Modelling Tools
Algebraic Models Based on empirical formulae or based on fundamental physics Usually tailored for specific scenarios Zone Models Zone models divide the space into zones in which properties (temperature, mass etc.) are considered to be uniform. CFD Models They numerically solve the Navier-Stokes equations in millions of control volumes (zones). More useful for complex spaces with a larger range of boundary conditions, but require more resources and understanding Relatively new

Algebraic Models

Examples of problems/solutions

Algebraic Models
Evacuation through a mall of a shopping centre
Potential fire in a shopping unit facing the mall corridor

Objective: Estimate when untenable conditions occur due to radiation Recommended width of the corridor

How can I solve this?

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Algebraic Models
The problem can be solved with the Configuration Factor equation
Minimum distance required to achieve tenable conditions with a maximum radiation tolerable (e.g. 2.5kW/m2 )

where:
T = Stefan Boltzmann coefficient = Absolute Temperature

and = Angles between radius vector r and infinitesimal areas dF1 of radiation and dF2 of a receptor located in the origin

Zone Models

Examples of problems/solutions

Zone Models
Smoke control assessment for a small compartment natural ventilatated on the roof

Objective: Estimate the smoke layer height Estimate the average smoke layer temperature How can we solve the problem?
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Zone Models
The problem can be solved with a zone model
The compartment is divided into two uniform layers a relatively hot layer, and a relatively cold layer. The interface (height) between hot and cold layer can be calculated The average temperature of the smoke layer can be calculated as well

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Zone Models
Through derivation of a set of equations using the ideal gas law, the conservation of mass and the conservation of energy, quantities such as the pressure, layer height and temperatures can be found given the accumulation of mass and enthalpy in each layer

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CFD Models

Examples of problems/solutions

CFD Models

The validity of Algebraic and Zone Models can exceed, particularly on larger scale projects or those whose design pushes the limits of prescriptive based design
CFD modelling might be the only way to solve the problem

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CFD Models
Natural smoke control assessment to guarantee safe egress of the occupants Large enclosure (80,000 m) with a large double spill plume. Objective: Keep the smoke layer height above the occupants at a certain temperature

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CFD Models
The problem can be solved with CFD modelling
Modelling performed with FDS FDS was made and validated for this type of scenario (large enclosures)

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Verification and Validation

FSB 2009

Verification and Validation

How do we know if the model chosen is appropriate?

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Verification and Validation

Full scale fire tests in a tunnel Validation and verification of a CFD model Comparison between CFD and Zone models

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Verification and Validation

Zone model n.1. Space modelled as a single compartment

Zone model n.2. Space modelled as multiples compartments

Field model. 3 models with 3 differents mesh resolutions

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Verification and Validation

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Conclusions

Fire and Smoke Modelling The Importance of Using a Suitable Tool

Conclusions
The large availability of tools (from the basic to the more sophisticated) available to the Fire Engineer has spawned a specific field within the Fire Safety Engineering discipline The potential misuse of such powerful tools is not sufficiently discussed within the Fire Engineering community but nonetheless forms a very important part of the Fire Engineering industry. Of perhaps greater importance than the engineering tools themselves is their appropriate use, the understanding of the limitations, the interpretation of the results and how the results can be included in a more complex Fire Engineering performance based analysis.

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Conclusions
This paper has attempted to highlight the importance of the Engineers understanding of the tools used in Fire Safety design, particularly a knowledge of when the use of such tools is appropriate or not.

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Thanks

Fire and Smoke Modelling The Importance of Using a Suitable Tool Vigne G., Borowiec P., Jnsson J.

Combustion and Fire Dynamics, Santander, 20th October 2010.