Abstract
Analyzing numerous computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of a two-level corridor model, smoke propagation and prevention were investigated. In all simulations, the fire source was placed inside the lower corridor, which we refer to as the fire corridor. Results show that after smoke flows in through the ceiling aperture, a dangerous environment forms quickly in the upper corridor. The smoke layer in the upper corridor descends nearly to floor level through buoyancy and air flowing in through the doorways. The fire hazard created in the upper level is larger than that of the fire corridor. In regard to fire prevention, the effectiveness of a counter airflow at the ceiling aperture is demonstrated, and critical velocities for counter airflow are derived through CFD simulations. A simple model for predicting this critical velocity is proposed based on the Froude modeling. The critical Froude number initially declines linearly with the dimensionless distance between the fire source and the ceiling aperture, and then stabilizes at 0.38 when this distance is larger than 3.00. This model can be used for coarse design of the counter airflow smoke control system.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Bailey JL, Forney GP, Tatem PA, Jones, WW (2002). Development and validation of corridor flow submodel for CFAST. Journal of Fire Protection Engineering, 12: 139–161.
Chiu C-W, Chen C-H, Chen J-C, Shu C-M (2013). Analyses of smoke management models in TFT-LCD cleanroom. Building Simulation, 6: 403–413.
Chow WK (1996). Application of computational fluid dynamics in building services engineering. Building and Environment, 31: 425–436.
Chung KC, Tung HS, Wu YL (2005). Applied zone model to evaluate the smoke management in an underground structure. Journal of Fire Sciences, 23: 99–117.
Delichatsios MA (1981). The flow of fire gases under a beamed ceiling. Combustion and Flame, 43: 1–10.
Evers E, Waterhouse A (1978). A Complete Model for Analyzing Smoke Movement in Buildings. Building Research Establishment, UK.
Gong J, Li Y (2010). CFD modelling of the effect of fire source geometry and location on smoke flow multiplicity. Building Simulation, 3: 205–214.
Guo S, Yang R, Zhang H, Narayanan S, Atalla M (2009). Development of a fire zone model considering mixing behavior. Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer, 23: 327–338.
Hadjisophocleous G, Jia Q (2009). Comparison of FDS prediction of smoke movement in a 10-storey building with experimental data. Fire Technology, 45: 163–177.
Havlovick BJ, Yadon JT, Farley JP, Williams FW (2002). Automated control of shipboard ventilation systems: Phase 2. Part A. Test results. Report, Naval Research Lab, Washington DC.
Heskestad G, Hill JP (1986). Experimental fires in multiroom/corridor enclosures. Gaithersburg, MD, USA: National Bureau of Standards.
Heskestad G, Spaulding RD (1991). Inflow of air required at wall and ceiling apertures to prevent escape of fire smoke. Fire Safety Science, 3: 919–928.
Heskestad G (2002). Fire plumes, flame height, and air entrainment. In: The SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 3rd edn. Quincy, MA, USA: National Fire Protection Association.
Hu L, Wu L, Lu K, Zhang X, Liu S, Qiu Z (2014). Optimization of emergency ventilation mode for a train on fire stopping beside platform of a metro station. Building Simulation, 7: 137–146.
Hu LH, Huo R, Li YZ, Wang HB, Chow WK (2005). Full-scale burning tests on studying smoke temperature and velocity along a corridor. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 20: 223–229.
Hu LH, Li YZ, Huo R, Yi L, Chow WK (2006a). Full-scale experimental studies on mechanical smoke exhaust efficiency in an underground corridor. Building and Environment, 41: 1622–1630.
Hu LH, Huo R, Peng W, Chow WK, Yang RX (2006b). On the maximum smoke temperature under the ceiling in tunnel fires. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 21: 650–655.
Hu LH, Fong NK, Yang LZ, Chow WK, Li YZ, Huo R (2007). Modeling fire-induced smoke spread and carbon monoxide transportation in a long channel: Fire dynamics simulator comparisons with measured data. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 140: 293–298.
Hu LH, Peng W, Huo R (2008). Critical wind velocity for arresting upwind gas and smoke dispersion induced by near-wall fire in a road tunnel. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 150: 68–75.
Hua J, Wang J, Kumar K (2005). Development of a hybrid field and zone model for fire smoke propagation simulation in buildings. Fire Safety Journal, 40: 99–119.
Hwang CC, Edwards JC (2005). The critical ventilation velocity in tunnel fires—A computer simulation. Fire Safety Journal, 40: 213–244.
Ingason H, Werling P (2002). Experimental study of inlet openings in multi-story underground construction. Journal of Fire Protection Engineering, 12: 79–92.
Gottuk D T, Mealy C, Floyd J (2008). Smoke transport and FDS validation. Fire Safety Science, 9: 129–140.
Kim MB, Han YS, Yoon MO (1998). Laser-assisted visualization and measurement of corridor smoke spread. Fire Safety Journal, 31: 239–251.
Kunsch JP (1998). Critical velocity and range of a fire-gas plume in a ventilated tunnel. Atmospheric Environment, 33: 13–24.
Lee CK, Chaiken RF, Singer JM (1979). Interaction between duct fires and ventilation flow: An experimental study. Combustion Science and Technology, 20: 59–72.
Lee SR, Ryou HS (2006). A numerical study on smoke movement in longitudinal ventilation tunnel fires for different aspect ratio. Building and Environment, 41: 719–725.
Matsuyama K, Mizuno M, Wakamatsu T, Harada K (2001). A systematic experiments of room and corridor smoke filling for use in calibration of zone and CFD fire models for engineering fire safety design of buildings. Fire Science and Technology, 21: 43–55.
McGrattan KB, Hostikka S, Floyd JE (2010). Fire Dynamics Simulator (Version 5), User’s Guide. Gaithersburg, MD, USA: NIST Special Publication.
Mowrer F (2002). Enclosure smoke filling and management with mechanical ventilation. Fire Technology, 38: 33–56.
Oka Y, Atkinson GT (1995). Control of smoke flow in tunnel fires. Fire Safety Journal, 25: 305–322.
Quintiere JG, McCaffrey BJ, Rinkinen W (1978). Visualization of room fire induced smoke movement and flow in a corridor. Fire and materials, 2: 18–24.
Roh JS, Ryou HS, Kim DH, Jung WS, Jang YJ (2007). Critical velocity and burning rate in pool fire during longitudinal ventilation. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 22: 262–271.
Thomas PH (1968). The Movement of Smoke in Horizontal Passages Against an Air Flow. BRE Trust. Fire Research Station.
Wang L, Lim J, Quintiere JG (2011). On the prediction of fire-induced vent flows using FDS. Journal of Fire Sciences, 30: 110–121.
Williams FW, Forssell EW, DiNenno PJ, Beyler CL, Lain P (1994). Shipboard smoke control tests using forced counterflow air supply. Report, Naval Research Lab, Washington DC.
Wu Y, Bakar MZA (2000). Control of smoke flow in tunnel fires using longitudinal ventilation systems—A study of the critical velocity. Fire Safety Journal, 35: 363–390.
Wu Y, Li A, Ma J, Gao R, Hu J, Xiao B, Zhang P (2013). Numerical studies on smoke natural filling in an underground passage with validation by reduced-scale experiments. Nature Environment and Pollution Technology, 12: 35–42.
Zhong MH, Li PD, Liu TM, Wei X, Liao GX (2005). Experimental study on fire smoke movement in a multi-floor and multi-room building. Science in China Series E: Engineering & Materials Science, 48: 292–304.
Zhu X (2009). Hybrid model for smoke and heat propagation in complex structures. PhD Thesis, Carleton University, Canada.
Zukoski EE (1986). Fluid dynamic aspects of room fires. Paper presented in Proceedings of 1st International Symposium on Fire Safety Science.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhang, B., Zhang, J., Lu, S. et al. Buoyancy-driven flow through a ceiling aperture in a corridor: A study on smoke propagation and prevention. Build. Simul. 8, 701–709 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-015-0248-1
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-015-0248-1