Simulation of a Room Fire: Comparison between Zone Model and Hand Calculation - Research Paper Example

The fire growth and its subsequent effects in the enclosure are influenced by some factors such as fuel size, the geometry of the enclosure, size and location of ventilation, and the materials which used in constructing the room. During a fire, some incidents such as being caught by a flashover occur because of unfamiliarity with fire growth and the effect of ventilation. For this reason, it is helpful to have some strategy to predict fire development in the enclosed environment. Two-zone models are usually used to predict fire development in the enclosure to help fire safety engineers determine the right safety method for a specific building.

CFAST and Hand Calculation method is useful in predicting different fire-related events in the room. A program running on a computer, CFAST can calculate fire conditions such as temperature for lower and upper zones in the enclosure by specifying the room size, ceiling height, and side vents. Similarly, hand calculations such as the method introduced by McCaffrey can determine the flame height, mass flow rates, temperature, velocities, and other fire growth-related values. However, hand calculation is more complex than CFAST because it requires good knowledge of mathematical equations.

Two-zone model predictions help us to protect our property from fire and save a lot of lives. In this study, the accuracy of predictions using the popular methods of predicting enclosure fire will be examined and compared against each other. The following sections discuss many topics relevant to enclosure fire development and many ways in which we can predict a room fire.1.2 Aims and ObjectivesIn general, the aim is generally to study how a room fire can be predicted using simulation software and hand calculation.

Secondly, to understand the different aspects of fire development in the enclosure and the difference between simulated results and experimental data.The objectives of this study are:1. Determine the most applicable model for room fire simulation2. Determined the strength of different models3. Learn from theoretical evidence and ideas in fire development literature4. Assess and choose the most applicable way to room fire simulation.1.3 Research QuestionsThe study will answer the following research questions:a.

What are enclosure fire, development models?b. What is the most appropriate model real room fire simulation?c. How reliable is this model compared to actual laboratory experiments?d. What will affect the reliability of this model?