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CFD MODELING OF FIRE SUPPRESSION AND ITS ROLE IN OPTIMIZING SUPPRESSANT DISTRIBUTION

Published

Author(s)

J C. Hewson, S R. Tieszen, W D. Sundberg, P E. DesJardin

Abstract

Recent developments in suppression modeling for CFD codes are presented with an emphasis on fire suppression in cluttered environments. Suppression modeling is based on the ratio between the fluid mixing time scale and the flame chemical time scale. Flames are extinguished when the fluid mixing time is short relative to the chemical time required for combustion to occur. The effect of suppressants is to increase the required chemical time for combustion. Validation data sets are employed to evaluate the effectiveness of the suppression models in strained and obstructed flows. CFD results are used to indicate how changes in geometry may alter suppressant distribution. This approach supports design choices to provide optimal fire protection with minimal suppressant system weight and cost.
Citation
Special Publication (NIST SP) - 984-4
Report Number
984-4

Citation

Hewson, J. , Tieszen, S. , Sundberg, W. and DesJardin, P. (2003), CFD MODELING OF FIRE SUPPRESSION AND ITS ROLE IN OPTIMIZING SUPPRESSANT DISTRIBUTION, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=909424 (Accessed March 29, 2024)
Created January 1, 2003, Updated February 19, 2017