A comparison between observed and simulated flame structures in poorly ventilated compartment fires

Abstract

This study is aimed at characterizing the dynamics of compartment fires under poorly ventilated conditions. The study considers four cases that correspond to different values of the fire room global equivalence ratio and are representative of strikingly different flame behaviors. The study is based on a detailed comparison between experimental and computational data. The numerical simulations are performed with the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA. The comparative tests serve to evaluate the general ability of FDS to describe the transition from over- to under-ventilated fire conditions, as well as the transition from extinction-free conditions to conditions in which the flame experiences partial or total quenching. Copyright © 2005 International Association for Fire Safety Science.