Flame radiation from polymer fires

Abstract

Abstract Enclosure fires can be divided into two ventilation regimes: well-ventilated and under-ventilated combustion. The influence of fire ventilation on flame radiation is very important in enclosure fires especially for under-ventilated conditions. An approximate model for predicting flame radiation for both well- and under-ventilated fires is proposed on the basis of the Γ-correlation, in which the role of flame sootiness and heat release is considered. This paper is an extension of work performed earlier and reported in Tewarson et al. (Combustion and Flame, 95 (1993) 151-169) [1] . The results are calculated for several typical polymers, and the relationship between the flame radiant fraction and the fuel’s smoke-point has been examined. Additionally, flame radiation is predicted by the slightly modified Global Flame Radiation (GFR) Model of de Ris and Orloff. The comparisons between experimental and predicted data are satisfactory. This study attempts to provide: (1) a deeper scientific understanding of the effect of ventilation conditions on flame radiation, and (2) available correlation, for the analysis of enclosure fires.