Sensitivity analysis of input variables to establish fire damage thresholds for redundant electrical panels

Abstract

In the worst case, a temporary ignition source (also known as transient combustibles) between two electrical panels can damage both panels. Mitigation strategies for electrical panel fires were previously developed using fire modeling and risk analysis. However, since they do not comply with deterministic fire protection requirements, it is necessary to analyze the boundary values at which combustibles may damage targets depending on various factors. In the present study, a sensitivity analysis of input variables related to the damage threshold of two electrical panels was performed for dimensionless geometry using a Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). A new methodology using a damage evaluation map was developed to assess the damage of the electrical panel. The input variables were the distance between the electrical panels, the vertical height of the fuel, the size of the fire, the wind speed and the wind direction. The heat flux was determined to increase as the vertical distance between the fuel and the panel decreased, and the largest heat flux was predicted when the vertical separation distance divided by one half flame length was 0.3–0.5. As the distance between the panels increases, the heat flux decreases according to the power law, and damage can be avoided when the distance between the fuel and the panel is twice the length of the panel. When the wind direction is east and south, to avoid damage to the electrical panel the distance must be increased by 1.5 times compared to no wind. The present scale model can be applied to any configuration where combustibles are located between two electrical panels, and can provide useful guidance for the design of redundant electrical panels.