Investigation into the use of a water curtain over openings to prevent fire spread

Matt Turco,George Hadjisophocleous,Paul Lhotsky,S. Vallerent

doi:10.1051/matecconf/20164604001

Abstract

This paper presents the results of several full-scale experiments to study heat radiation attenuation and shielding using sprinklers to create a water curtain between a compartment fire and a target wall. This work builds on the concept that water absorbs and scatters heat radiation and applies it as a shielding mechanism, which can be used to protect personnel and property exposed to an opening during a compartment fire. The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of a water curtain created using sprinkler heads in attenuating the heat flux from flames exiting a compartment fire, shielding the target wall and preventing fire spread. The results show that the water curtain reduces heat flux to the target wall which may allow for decreasing the building distance from the property line. Heat fluxes along the target wall are compared to heat fluxes required for the piloted ignition of wood products. The effects of fire size, sprinkler system flow rate, and separation distance to the target wall are discussed. © Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2016 Language: en

Highlights

During a compartment fire radiation heat exiting the compartment opening poses a risk to adjacent properties
This paper presents the results of several full-scale experiments to study heat radiation attenuation and shielding using sprinklers to create a water curtain between a compartment fire and a target wall
The initial average heat flux experienced by the target wall when no sprinklers were active was 7.44 kW/m2, which is below the threshold for piloted ignition of wood products

Summary

Introduction

During a compartment fire radiation heat exiting the compartment opening poses a risk to adjacent properties. The radiation heat flux is affected by many factors such as the flames exiting the compartment, compartment size, and opening size. In order to reduce the radiation heat flux leaving a compartment this study utilized a water curtain created using sprinklers placed over the opening. Cheng [6] studied heat radiation exiting a compartment and impinging on an adjacent target wall. This was done using a built compartment with two different fire sources for comparison. This study utilized the ability of water to attenuate radiation to reduce the heat flux leaving the compartment.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion