An Experimental Study of on the Combustion Properties of Lobby Chairs in Open Space and in ISO Room Compartment

Abstract

Performance-based design should reflect initial fire phenomena properly. For this purpose, necessary data are being accumulated through combustion tests. It is reported that the maximum heat release rate and the fire growth rate are significantly increased by thermal radiation feedback effects from a smoke layer and a wall in a compartment in comparison with burning in an open environment [1-2]. In this study, a series of burning tests were carried out using lobby chairs to compare burning behavior in open environment and in a compartment. The measured items were heat release rate, mass loss rate, heat flux and vertical distribution of temperature in the compartment and above the center of combustibles. The cause of flame spread to adjacent chair was different between in an open space and in a compartment. In an open space, flame spread was mainly caused by direct contact of flame with adjacent chair. However, the main cause of the flame spread in a compartment was thermal radiation. As a result, heat release rates in open space and in a compartment significantly differ in shape. In a compartment, heat release rate slowly decreases after it reaches at the maximum level. In open space, heat release rate increased and decreased as flame spread to adjacent chairs successively. Heat flux showed similar patterns with that of heat release rate. Both maximum heat release rate and maximum heat flux increased as the number of chairs were increased. Measured values in a compartment are 2-4 times larger than that in an open space. Fire growth rate was increased by hot smoke layer. However, the relationship with the number of chairs was not clear. In addition, it was confirmed that the air temperature around chairs was higher than that in an open space.