Numerical Study of the Performance of Automatic Sprinkler System in Dense Equipment Room

Abstract

Components, such as duct and pipe, that heavily installed in some of the special equipment room might become the obstacles affecting the effectiveness of designed automatic sprinkler system. A steam feed pump room in a citywide critical industrial site was numerically investigated using the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), which aims to evaluate the performance of sprinkler system as designed and to provide remedial advices. Design fire scenarios were established with and without obstruction, and compared in regard to the sprinkler head activation as well as the development of fire. The results suggested that obstacles in the higher space of the room (e.g. lifting equipment) could obstruct the smoke spread as commonly known. Comparing to the scenario without obstruction, a more significant rise on smoke layer temperature between obstacles occurred in obstruction scenario, which led to a quicker sprinkler response and more number of sprinklers activated. Furthermore, the vertical obstacle directly above the steam pump could guide the spraying water to the burning surface, resulting in an earlier decay of fire. Nevertheless, a blind area for the performance of sprinkler system formed beneath the horizontal obstacle in lower-level zone which presented a serious hazard. Therefore, it is suggested that a comprehensive analysis should be carried out for all the crucial equipment rooms, supplemented by numerical simulation, such that the performance of the designed automatic sprinkler system could be guaranteed.