Modeling a real backdraft incident fire

Abstract

This paper reports the fire conditions that occurred in a townhouse and the results of software simulations that were performed to provide insight on the peculiar thermal conditions that developed. Fire rescue was called by the occupants of the house when they became aware that smoky conditions were developing on the second floor. Two of the firefighters entered the bedroom where the smoke was originating from and a short time after a flame front invested them while propagating them backward into the stairwell. The post fire investigation determined that the fire started as a consequence of the smoldering combustion of material contained in a wardrobe located adjacent to one of the room walls. A simulation scenario was developed based on the information obtained on the actual building geometry, material thermal properties and the fire behaviour. The calculations that best represented the actual fire conditions indicate that the partial opening of the window and bedroom door provided outside air (oxygen) to a pre-heated, under ventilated fire compartment. © 2006 WIT Press.