Reconstruction of the Grenfell tower fire—Part 6—Numerical simulation of the Grenfell tower disaster: Contribution to the understanding of the tenability conditions inside the common areas of the tower

Abstract

SummaryThe recent dramatic events at Grenfell Tower in London involving a combustible façade system have raised concerns regarding the fire risk that these systems pose. The spread of fire over the façade of the Tower was previously modelled numerically and the results of this modelling were validated by comparison with observations of the real fire. This model was used to determine the fire behaviour of the façade and the propagation of the façade fire into the apartments through windows. The modelling used an impact model according to ISO 13571 and included fire loads from the façade and, when relevant, from apartment contents. Tenability levels inside the apartments were quantified by an analysis of the toxic and thermal conditions due to the combustion of the façade materials and the apartment contents. In the present paper, the conditions inside the lobbies and stairs of the Tower are investigated, building on the previous analysis of the apartments. This allows an understanding of the evolution of toxic and thermal conditions whilst the fire spread, and their impact on egress during the fire event.