Fire Technology最新文献

This study presents a comprehensive experimental and probabilistic analysis of wind-driven building-to-building fire spread, focusing on the interplay between exposure intensity, duration, and material response. Twenty-three full-scale tests were conducted under varied wind speeds, separation distances, and material configurations to capture a spectrum of damage levels and move beyond the conventional binary outcomes of most fire experiments. As fire intensity builds, the target structure experiences increasing heat exposure, while collapse of the source structure during the growth phase disrupts flame dynamics and causes abrupt intensity drops. This deviation from the classic growth, steady, and decay pattern weakens the correlation between observed damage and traditional metrics such as peak heat flux or long-duration heat load. To address this, damage classifications from cosmetic to destroyed were mapped to statistical distributions of energy fluence accumulated over a characteristic intermediate timescale, better reflecting material response under realistic fire conditions. The resulting probabilistic framework supports risk-informed decisions aligned with the acceptable level of risk. At a separation of 10 ft (3 m), the tested building materials showed minimal likelihood of survival when exposed to fires from large, fully loaded sheds. By about 20 ft (6 m), the fire exposure decreases to a level where resilient building components have a fighting chance, and survival probabilities improve substantially at 30 ft (9 m). This framework provides a statistical view based on a physics-based interpretation of ignition thresholds to quantify intermediate damage and assess vulnerability under variable fire exposures, supporting fire-resilient community design and mitigation.

By constructing a scaled-down oil pool fire experimental platform and conducting a series of experiments on transformer oil, this study systematically investigates the combustion characteristics of transformer oil at different scales and the influence of spray pressure and spray flow rate on the suppression effect of foam-water spray on oil pool fires. The results show that the combustion process of the oil pool fire exhibits three distinct stages: initial development, stable combustion, and decay extinction. As the size of the oil pan increases, the burning rate, flame height, and flame temperature all increase significantly. Additionally, the fire-fighting performance of foam-water spray is significantly better than that of single-water spray, with a notable improvement in fire extinguishing efficiency. During the fire extinguishing process, a flame intensification phenomenon occurs in both cases. When the spray flow rate increases, the fire extinguishing efficiency of the foam-water spray improves; spray pressure shows a similar pattern, where fire extinguishing efficiency increases with the increase in spray pressure.

During a fire in a naturally ventilated tunnel with multiple vertical shafts, some shafts may induce supplementary airflow, leading to destabilization the smoke layer and potentially causing smoke to ingress back into the tunnel interior, thereby compromising the safety of trapped occupants. This study investigates the dynamics of smoke propagation in tunnel fires under natural ventilation conditions in multiple shafts using numerical simulations. Various auxiliary measures to mitigate the destabilization of the smoke layer in the tunnel as well as to suppress the smoke propagation are proposed and evaluated. The research findings indicate that installing auxiliary fans inside the shafts or incorporating coupling plates beneath them can effectively attenuate the extent of smoke ingress to varying degrees. While these measures have a small effect on smoke removal efficiency, the auxiliary fans mitigate the collision between smoke flow and supplementary air by regulating the flow field at the bottom of the shaft, maintaining a stable smoke layer flow state and suppressing smoke backflow. Coupling plates increase resistance to horizontal smoke spread. This constrains smoke spread and prevents smoke flow from colliding head-on with supplementary air, which could cause backflow. In summary, this research enhances understanding of the intricate dynamics of smoke propagation in tunnels with multiple shafts during fires and offers insights to refine the design of natural ventilation systems in tunnels.

Understanding human behavior in fire is crucial for improving fire safety strategies and the effectiveness of the evacuation process. This study examines the factors influencing evacuation behavior during a real fire scenario in a Malaysian residential building, focusing on emotional, environmental, and social factors. Data were collected through a post-fire questionnaire distributed to occupants, assessing their perceptions, preparedness, and responses to the fire. The analysis employed descriptive and inferential techniques to identify key behavioral patterns and demographic differences. The findings reveal that emotional responses, environmental conditions, and social influence significantly shaped evacuation behavior. Preparedness levels varied across demographic groups, highlighting vulnerabilities in specific populations. Emotional responses, such as fear, significantly influenced decision-making. These findings emphasize the need for tailored interventions, clear communication strategies, and enhanced fire safety protocols inside the building to support effective evacuations.

Fire incidents have been occurring significantly in high-rise buildings, and the rapid-fire spread is a critical issue due to the burning of combustible cladding panels. Different types of non-combustible cladding panels are suggested instead of combustible cladding panels to avoid this issue. However, the fire behaviour of all non-combustible cladding panels is different and is not even well understood. In this research study, four types of non-combustible cladding panels have been tested. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the fire behaviour of widely used four types of non-combustible cladding panels on a small-scale test. In this experiment, all cladding panel specimens were tested with a Butane Torch at approximately 1000 °C, and their thermal characteristics were subsequently analysed using thermogravimetric analysis. The test results indicate that the melting, ignition, and delamination were the key issues, although these cladding panels are well known as non-combustible cladding panels.

This study focuses on a fire scenario involving an electrical cabinet in a mechanically ventilated compartment and the performance of a water mist system in controlling the fire. The study is based on large-scale experiments involving a real cabinet containing approximately 45 kg of combustible material with open doors on both sides. The parameters studied were the compartment’s ventilation flow rate and the water mist system’s characteristics, including the nozzle type and activation time. Characterization of the fire source in an open environment shows a maximum heat release rate (HRR) of 2.7 MW. In a compartment, this value decreases due to oxygen depletion and is reduced to 1.6 MW. The performance of the water mist system is evaluated based on the reduction of the maximum HRR and total heat released. The most efficient configuration is obtained with a low ventilation flow rate of the compartment to prevent droplets from being extracted from the compartment and a short activation time of the water extinguishing system. The most effective configuration reduces the maximum HRR by 54% and the total heat released by 69%. This study provides insights into fire scenarios involving electrical cabinets, that can be used as guidelines for risk assessment and water mist system design.

Transport safety is a critical consideration in the design and operation of infrastructure, particularly in road tunnels, where specific measures are necessary to protect both users and first responders. Traditional safety concepts have been developed primarily for conventional vehicles, addressing scenarios such as tunnel fires, in which toxic gas emissions, reduced visibility, and thermal loads pose significant hazards. In response to the global climate crisis, there is a growing transition towards alternative fuels and vehicle technologies, including hydrogen, natural gas, and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). These technologies introduce new storage systems and operational characteristics, which differ from those of diesel and petrol vehicles and may affect established safety standards. A substantial body of analytical, numerical, and experimental research has investigated the behaviour of alternative fuel vehicles in fire and accident scenarios. However, the diversity of studies and data makes it challenging to synthesise the findings into a comprehensive assessment. This paper provides a structured review of the literature, focusing on BEVs, their battery technologies, thermal runaway mechanisms, toxic releases, and incident scenarios, as well as associated fire suppression strategies. Hybrid vehicles are also considered for comparative purposes. The consequences of these hazards for life safety are examined, including evacuation procedures, preventive measures, and qualitative risk assessment. By integrating current knowledge, the study aims to evaluate the adequacy of tunnel safety measures and identify areas requiring further research, providing a coherent framework for understanding the risks associated with new energy carriers in road transport.

Statistical analysis of tunnel fire incidents in Zhejiang Province from 2020 to 2024 as related to the causative factors, spatiotemporal distribution characteristics, and fire occurrence frequency are discussed in this study. Through case studies of typical tunnels, the study further reveals general patterns underlying these incidents. The results indicate that trucks are the primary ignited object in tunnel fires (42.4%), while the proportion of fires involving two-wheeled vehicles (8.0%) is also relatively high, warranting special attention. Moreover, influenced by tunnel structural characteristics and traffic flow, tunnel fires occur significantly more frequently during daytime (71.1%) than at other times, demonstrating a distinct pattern compared to conventional road vehicle fires. Notably, the fire occurrence frequency in urban tunnels is lower than the overall average level.

Energy storage stations utilizing lithium iron phosphate batteries provide an effective solution to the challenges associated with renewable energy storage. However, the associated risk of thermal runaway, leading to fires and gas explosions, poses a significant threat to public safety. A numerical study was conducted to analyze the explosion characteristics of flammable gases released during thermal runaway of lithium batteries in a prefabricated cabin of an energy storage power station. The research focused on flame trajectory, explosion pressure, flame temperature, and combustion rate under different conditions. The results demonstrate that that the explosion severity increases with longer gas leakage durations but decreases with extended gas diffusion periods prior to ignition. The most intense explosion, characterized by peak temperature, overpressure, and combustion rate,The most intense explosion, characterized by peak temperature, overpressure, and combustion rate, occurs when ignition is initiated 8–10 seconds after leakage begins, following a post-release diffusion time of 0–4 seconds. For immediate ignition scenarios, an ignition height of 1.85 m was found to produce the maximum explosion intensity. The generated blast wave is capable of damaging the pressure relief panels of adjacent cabins, while flames can spread through these openings, thereby escalating the risk of secondary explosions. Consequently, implementing robust fire separation or explosion-proof barriers between adjacent cabins is critical. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of gas explosion hazards in prefabricated energy storage cabins and provide essential insights for enhancing the safety design and operational protocols of energy storage power stations.