Parametric temperature–time curves of medium compartment fires for structural design

Abstract

A parametric temperature–time curve for structural fire design purposes is developed for small and medium compartment fires. This method may be used, with reasonable precision, to estimate the temperature history of a fully developed compartment fire. It concerns mainly cellulosic (wood-based) fires. This method has three main characteristics: (1) the temperature–time curves are determined by two key parameters of fire severity: maximum gas temperature (intensity) and fire duration; (2) the maximum gas temperature and fire duration are determined by the fire load density (or surface area of fuel), opening factor, geometric shape and thermal properties of compartment boundaries; (3) both ventilation- and fuel-controlled fire are explicitly distinguished in this method. Comparisons of the predicted curves with the test results and computer simulation show the applicability of this method.