Abstract
In this study, a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) based fire field model was applied to numerically investigate the effectiveness of smoke control using smoke vents and curtains within a large-scale atrium fire. Two compartment configurations were considered: the first case with no smoke curtains installed, while the second case included a smoke curtain at the centre of the compartment to trap smoke. Based on the thermocouple results, it was found that the model predicted the gas temperature near the fire particularly well. The time development and heat transfer of the gas temperature predictions were in good agreement with the experimental measurements. Nevertheless, the gas temperature was slightly under-predicted when the thermocouple was further away from the flaming region. Overall, it was discovered that the combination of a smoke curtain and ceiling vents was a highly effective natural smoke exhaust system. However, under the same vent configuration, if the smoke curtain height is not adequate to completely block the spread of smoke, it significantly reduces the pressure differential between the compartment and the exterior, causing reduced flow rates in the outlet vents.
Highlights
Sydney is the most highly populated city in Australia with a wide variety of complexity in architecture serving multiple functions
This study aims to investigate the smoke propagation under different fire vent and smoke curtain configurations in a large atrium fire scenario
The Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) version 6.7.0 was utilised which is a well-known fire field model that is available in the public domain for compartment fire simulations
Summary
Sydney is the most highly populated city in Australia with a wide variety of complexity in architecture serving multiple functions. Owing to the rapid increase in large-scale constructions, as well as the increase of uniqueness in their designs, it is difficult to apply the prescriptive codes for modern buildings such as shopping malls which may comprise of a large atrium area This presents potential risk due to smoke and flames spreading. A series of simulation studies were carried out by Gutiérrez-Montes et al [19,20,21] in a 20 m cubic super large atrium to numerically examine the smoke extraction via natural and exhaust systems Through their studies, it was discovered that the ventilation system was able to extract the heat away from the building, the gaseous products were contained, which might be harmful to occupants. According to comprehensive analysis of the numerical simulation results, the overall smoke movement and flow development within the compartment and across each opening’s vents can be comprehensively analyzed to gain more insights on the influence of the smoke curtain
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