Analysis of FDS Thermal Detector Response Prediction Capability. NIST GCR 09-921

Published

January 16, 2009

Author(s)

Morgan J. Hurley, Alex Munguia

Abstract

Predictions of fire plume and ceiling jet temperature and the response of thermal detectors from NIST's Fire Dynamics Simulator(FDS)were compared to data from a series of full-scale tests conducted by Underwriters Laboratory. The tests were conducted in a 36.6 m x 36.6 m compartment with ceiling heights ranging from 3.0 m to 12.2 m. Heat release rates followed a modified t² growth profile. Thermocouples attached to brass disks were used to simulate thermal detectors. FDS simulations were conducted wth a grid spacing of 100 mm. A convergence study found that grid-size convergence was achieved outside of the plume region. However, grid convergence was not achieved in the plume region at this grid spacing. Outside of the plume region, FDS predictions were within a factor of 1.9 of test data.

Citation

Grant/Contract Reports (NISTGCR) -

NIST Pub Series

Grant/Contract Reports (NISTGCR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

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Keywords

FDS, DETACT-QS, model evaluations, fire experiments, heat detectors

Citation

Hurley, M. and Munguia, A. (2009), Analysis of FDS Thermal Detector Response Prediction Capability. NIST GCR 09-921, Grant/Contract Reports (NISTGCR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=901391 (Accessed October 13, 2025)