Comparison of Full Scale Fire Tests and a Computer Fire Model of Several Smoke Ejection Experiments.

Published

November 1, 1992

Author(s)

E Braun, Daniel L. Lowe, Walter W. Jones, P Tatem, J Bailey, R Carey

Abstract

Data were obtained from four large scale shipboard fire tests. The test series was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a smoke ejection system for the removal of smoke and heat from compartments around the compartment of fire origin. Using diesel oil and polyethylene beads as fuel, tests were conducted at 0.5 MW and 1.0 MW. The data obtained from these tests were evaluated in terms of the reduction of heat and smoke in adjacent passageways. These results were compared to numerical simulations of the shipboard environment. The test results showed that the atmospheric conditions in compartments/passageways adjacent to the compartment of fire origin could be made survivable by isolating the fire compartment and ventilating adjacent spaces. It was found that, under the ventilation conditions of these tests, effective reduction in smoke and heat from peak values to ambient values took 350 to 400 s, depending on the compartment's proximity to the door of the compartment of fire origin. Comparisons with the numerical simulation showed that we can predict the environment which develops with reasonable confidence.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 4961

Report Number

4961

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.4961

Keywords

compartment fires, fire growth, mathematical models, numerical models, room fires, smoke, toxicity

Citation

Braun, E. , Lowe, D. , Jones, W. , Tatem, P. , Bailey, J. and Carey, R. (1992), Comparison of Full Scale Fire Tests and a Computer Fire Model of Several Smoke Ejection Experiments., NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.4961 (Accessed November 4, 2025)