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Marsden, J. (2000) Full Scale Compartment Fire Tests and the Interaction Between Roof and Sidewall Vents http://www.fitting-in.com/marsden.htm |
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A dissertation submitted to the University of Central Lancashire in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Fire Engineering by James Anthony Marsden Department of Built Environment Faculty of Design and Technology May 2000 Supervisor: Dr. J. Francis |
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ABSTRACT Abstract of a dissertation entitled “Full Scale Compartment Fire Tests and the Interaction between Roof and Sidewall Vents”. Submitted by James Anthony Marsden to the University of Central Lancashire in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Fire Engineering, May 2000. The work is an experimental piece aimed at offering some further theories in relation to compartment fire temperatures and the interaction between sidewall and roof vents. The aim of the research is to stimulate debate with regards to these important areas. A full-scale approach was chosen in all the experiments the main aim being to study the effects of fire in its natural environment away from the laboratory. The first section of this work concentrates on the model developed by McCaffrey, Quintiere and Harkleroad (1981). It investigates by comparing and contrasting the predicted temperature against the actual temperatures found at full scale. The effects of thermal inertia are studied, one compartment has a lining material that has a very high thermal inertia and a second compartment constructed of steel that has a low thermal inertia. The second area of the study is devoted to the interaction between the roof and sidewall vent openings. A fixed fire size of 0.5MW was positioned in centre, sidewall and corner locations. Variations were made in the size of opening of both the roof and door vents. A series of visualisation studies were then undertaken concentrating on the smoke movement, special attention was given to the vent interface in relation to the exchange of out flowing and inflowing gases, this process is termed oscillating combustion in which the fire will develop and decay on a regular cycle within the compartment. Although not part of the original study a vortexing was observed of the fire plume this vortexing occurred at certain vent/sidewall openings and some conclusions are contained within this piece of work. |
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Acknowledgements I would like to thank Jonathan Francis for providing me with the opportunity, guidance and help to carry out these studies. I would also like to thank all the staff at the University of Central Lancashire for without their help and assistance, this research would not have been possible. Special thanks must also be extended to my partner Mary Metcalfe whose help and assistance with typing and proof reading is greatly appreciated. I also wish to thank Mary for her loving friendship and her patient support through out my academic studies. I would like to acknowledge the support given by Greater Manchester Fire Service, therefore special thanks go to the Chief Fire Officer Mr. George Almond and Station Officers Andrew Brookes, William Hadfield and Graham Bowker whose valuable assistance is acknowledged. The work of the fire fighters is also acknowledged for their tireless efforts in the battle against fire that is not always recognised. Finally I dedicate this work to the memory of may father whose life was tragically cut short and did not have the chance or opportunity to see the growth of his family. |
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Contents Abstract Acknowledgements Contents List of figures List of tables Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. Review of the literature Chapter 3. Compartment theory Chapter 4. Methodology Chapter 5. Experimental procedure and instrument technique Chapter 6. Results obtained Chapter 7. Discussion of the results Chapter 8. Rotating fire plumes Chapter 9. McCaffrey model calculations Chapter 10. Conclusions and further research References Bibliography Appendix A. Temperature profiles and data McCaffrey studies Appendix B. Temperature profiles and data vent interaction results Appendix C. Temperature profiles and data rotating fire plumes |
The rest of this work will appear shortly.