Reliable assumptions for structural fire design of steel car parks

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristian Dahl Hertz ◽  
Lars Schiøtt Sørensen ◽  
Luisa Giuliani
Keyword(s):  
Fire Protection ◽  
Steel Structures ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Fire Load ◽  
Fire Dynamics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Car Park ◽  
Fire Loads ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Fire Load Density

PurposeThis study aims to analyze and discuss the key design assumptions needed for design of car parks in steel, to highlight the impact that the increased fire loads introduced by modern cars and changes in the fire dynamics have on the design, such as fire spread leading to non-localized fires.Design/methodology/approachIn particular, a reliable fire load density to be used for structural design of car park structures is assessed, based on investigations of the fire loads of modern cars. Based on knowledge of fire load and fire performance of cars, the consequences on the fire safety design of steel structures are presented.FindingsDesign recommendation about fire load density and fire protection of common steel profiles are given. Finally, the proposed design is compared with a design practice that has been applied in many instances for car parks constructed with unprotected steel, and recommendations for a reliable design process are provided.Originality/valueNumerous car park buildings have recently been designed of steel structures without passive or active fire protection. The key assumptions that makes possible such design are local fire scenarios, outdated values of the car fire load and utilization of the ultimate steel strength. This paper identifies the shortcomings of such key assumptions, indicating the need for revisiting the methods and possibly even checking the analyses carried out for some already-built car parks.

scholarly journals INFLUENCE OF FIRE PARTITIONS FOR SPEED FIRE DISTRIBUTION IN CLOSED PREMISES OF PRODUCTION AND STORAGE FACILITIES

Fire Safety ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
pp. 44-51
Author(s):  
E. Hulida ◽  
V. Sharуу
Keyword(s):  
Fire Protection ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Building Structures ◽  
Fire Load ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Storage Facilities

Introduction. Fires in closed premises of production and storage facilities are the most dangerous, because they hold large areas with a significant fire load. The current direction of providing a fire safety system at production and storage facilities in closed premises is to eliminate the conditions of the rapid development of fire and minimizing its effect through the use of fire curtains. This method of fire protection is practically not used in closed premises of production and storage facilities at the present stage. In most cases, fire partitions are used in such situations. Therefore, a topic issue today is the research of limiting the development of fires with the use of fire partitions and minimizing fire effects.Purpose. Investigate the process of spreading the fire in closed premises of production and storage facilities by using fire partitions to limit the speed of fire spread. Problem statement and solution. The following tasks must be solved to provide fire protection of production and storage facilities:1. to investigate the process of fire spread in closed premises of production and storage facilities without the use of fire partitions;2. to investigate the impact of fire partitions use on fire rate.Two possible modes of development fire in the premises are considered to solve the first problem: 1) with the presence of sufficient air (oxygen), with fire occurred in regulated fire load; 2) with insufficient air (oxygen), with fire occurred in regulated ventilation.It is necessary to choose the material and fire partition design accordingly to solve the second problem. The results of experimental studies [11] showed that fire partitions vermiculite-silicate plates can be used for various building structures manufacturing. Closed production and storage facilities structure analysis showed that these premises are constructed in most cases with a grid of columns 9Х12 m.Conclusions and proposals:1) There is only the first mode of fire with sufficient oxygen (air) in closed premises of production and storage facilities with a total area of more than 5000 m2 in the process of fire. The fire that occurred is regulated only by the fire load.2) The use of fire partitions between sections of the premises of production and storage facilities reduces the probability of fire spreading in the premises by about 3 times.3) It is necessary to continue research work in this direction to obtain more significant results of the process of development and spread of fire in the premises of production and storage facilities.

scholarly journals Experimental study on examining the fire load of a small compartment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriella László ◽  
Flóra Hajdu ◽  
Rajmund Kuti
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Fire Protection ◽  
Fire Safety ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Fire Load ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
Burning Process ◽  
The People

Abstract In Hungary a lot of people live in condominiums or in block of flats where fire often occurs despite of precise design and effective fire protection arrangements. This means a hazard for the people living there, for the building constructions and also for the environment. A deeper knowledge of the burning process and examining the negative effects of fire load on building constructions with scientific methods are actual questions nowadays. In order to get to know the phenomena more accurately, fire spread in a bedroom was modeled and numerical simulation was carried out, which is presented in this paper in detail. These experiences may help increasing the fire safety and preventing fires in apartments. The simulations were carried out considering the characteristics of the Hungarian architecture.

Appraisal of fire safety interventions and strategies for informal settlements in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Shaun Walls ◽  
Rodney Eksteen ◽  
Charles Kahanji ◽  
Antonio Cicione
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Fire Protection ◽  
Fire Safety ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Active Fire ◽  
Passive Fire Protection ◽  
Safety Interventions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Broad Understanding

Purpose Informal settlements are inherently unstructured in nature, lack adequate services, regularly have high population densities and can experience social problems. Thus, fires can easily propagate rapidly through such areas, leaving thousands homeless in a single fire. The purpose of this paper is to present an appraisal of various interventions and strategies to improve fire safety in informal settlements in South Africa (globally, similar settlements are known as slums, ghettos, favelas, shantytowns, etc.), considering aspects of both technical suitability and social suitability. Design/methodology/approach This paper focusses on three specific aspects: ignition risk management, active fire protection interventions and passive fire protection interventions. These are presented within a framework to outline how they may mitigate the impact of fires. Findings Often “solutions” proposed to improve fire safety either lack a sound engineering basis, thus becoming technically inefficient, or do not consider social circumstances and community responses in settlements, thereby becoming practically, socially or economically unsuitable. It must be understood that there is no “quick fix” to this significant problem, but rather a combination of interventions can improve fire safety in general. A broad understanding of the various options available is essential when addressing this problem, which this paper seeks to provide. Practical implications This paper seeks to provide an overview to guide policymakers and organisations by illustrating both the advantages/benefits and disadvantages/challenges of the interventions and strategies currently being rolled out, as well as potential alternatives. Originality/value A broad but succinct appraisal is provided that gives insight and direction for improving fire safety in informal settlements. It is hoped that the challenges associated with the fire safety interventions discussed can be addressed and improved over time.

Improvement of the Assessment Method for Fire Resistance of Steel Structures in the Temperature Regime of Fire under Realistic Conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 1006 ◽  
pp. 107-116
Author(s):  
Taras Shnal ◽  
Serhii Pozdieiev ◽  
Oleksandr Nuianzin ◽  
Stanislav Sidnei
Keyword(s):  
Fire Resistance ◽  
Steel Structures ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Fire Load ◽  
Metal Structures ◽  
Boundary State ◽  
Temperature Regimes ◽  
Standard Values ◽  
Fire Load Density ◽  
Actual Limit

There was researched the influence of fire temperature regimes, obtained by the proposed mathematical models, on the mechanical characteristics of metal structures. As a result, the identified patterns of the influence of the parameters of the premises with fires are shown as the slit coefficient decreases and the fire load density increases, the actual limit of fire resistance begins to decrease, as well as at values of fire load density less than 600 [MJ/m2], there is an area where the occurrence of a boundary state is not observed and Nomograms for determining the limit of fire resistance for steel structures at standard values of critical temperature were constructed and an appropriate method was developed.

Ductile cement-based spray-applied fire-resistive materials

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Zhang ◽  
Victor C. Li
Keyword(s):  
Fire Protection ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Steel Structures ◽  
Material Design ◽  
Field Application ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Cementitious Composite ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Engineered Cementitious Composite ◽  
Passive Fire Protection

Purpose Spray-applied fire-resistive materials (SFRMs) are the most commonly used passive fire protection for steel structure in the USA. However, they are often called into question because of their poor durability (cohesive and adhesive) performance. Being an inherently brittle material with low tensile strength, SFRM tends to dislodge and delaminate under extreme loads and service loads. Such loss of fire protection greatly endangers the steel structures, especially under multi-hazards like post-earthquake/impact fires. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new technology of a ductile cement-based SFRM, namely, spray-applied fire-resistive engineered cementitious composite (SFR-ECC) that overcomes the aforementioned problems and contributes toward enhanced fire safety of steel structures. Design/methodology/approach SFR-ECC has been developed as a durable alternative to conventional SFRM by adopting engineered cementitious composite (ECC) technology in the material design process. Various experimental studies have also been conducted to fully evaluate the performance of SFR-ECC. Findings It is found that SFR-ECC possesses much better durability performance under both static and high-rate loading compared to conventional SFRMs. With many unique properties, applications of SFR-ECC for pre-fabrication of passive fire protection are also found to be feasible. Originality/value This paper is a comprehensive introduction of the newly developed SFR-ECC. It summarizes the key properties of SFR-ECC and provides a useful guideline for further investigation and field application of SFR-ECC.

scholarly journals THE EFFECTS OF FIRE EXTINGUISHING VEHICLES FIRE DISTRIBUTION IN INDOORS MANUFACTURING AND WAREHOUSE FACILITIES

Fire Safety ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 23-29
Author(s):  
Ye. Hulida ◽  
V. Sharуу
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Development ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Optimal Size ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Fire Load ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Optimal Area ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Storage Facilities

Most modern production and storage facilities are fire hazardous. A large area, a large fire load, the use of technologies with high temperatures, contributes to the rapid development of fire in a short period of time over a large area. The current direction of providing the fire safety system at the enterprises is to eliminate the conditions of rapid development of the fire and minimize its consequences through the use of fire curtains. Develop a method for determining the optimum dimensions of the enclosed volume of a closed warehouse facility by using fire-proof curtains to limit the rate of fire spread. To provide fire protection for warehouse facilities, the following tasks must be addressed first and foremost to investigate the process of fire spread in enclosed premises at production and storage facilities; to develop a method of determining the optimal size of the volume of premises, closed production facilities and to investigate the impact of the use of fire curtains on the speed of fire. In order to solve the first problem, materials were stored in the production and storage facilities, the combustion of which was accompanied by a thermal decomposition with the release of gaseous combustion products. The rate of burning of solid materials depends not only on the physical nature of the material, but also on the location of the fire load structure. In addition, the rate of burnout indoors differs from the rate of burnout in open space. Two modes of development of combustion of materials in a room are possible: 1) with the presence of sufficient amount of air (oxygen), that is, the resulting fire is regulated by the fire load; 2) with insufficient air (oxygen), that is, the resulting fire is regulated by ventilation. Indoors in real conditions, the first mode of fire gradually goes into the second, and after reaching the temperature in the room at which the windows are destroyed, the gas exchange process becomes two-sided and the fire goes to the first mode. To solve the second problem, a method of determining the optimal size of the volume of premises, closed production and storage facilities was developed. Conclusions and specific suggestions: The number of sheltered volumes of storage facilities and their optimal area depends on the storage area of ​​the equipment and equipment not protected from free spread of fire. The accuracy of determining the optimal area of fire depends on the accepted probability of hit points to be within the range of acceptable solutions of the optimization problem. The presence of a protected volume of storage facilities reduces the rate of fire spread by 1.8 times. In the protected volume of the room with fire curtains on the roof of the warehouse it is necessary to arrange 3-piece air-exhaust lights to remove smoke in case of fire.

scholarly journals Fire Performance of Automated Tall Car Park Structures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burak Ayva ◽  
Serdar Selamet
Keyword(s):  
Fire Protection ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Sprinkler System ◽  
Structural Failure ◽  
Passenger Cars ◽  
Car Park ◽  
Fire Safety Design ◽  
European Standards ◽  
Early Phases

Abstract Automated tall car park structures are modern alternatives to conventional parking structures to save space and volume in highly demanded parking regions in urban areas. -The design of such structures has significant knowledge gaps especially in regarding the effects of fire spread between passenger cars. The purpose of this study is to estimate the horizontal and vertical fire spread between passenger cars in automated tall car park structures and provide fire safety design to eliminate fire spread and possible structural collapse. The fire spread between cars is established by estimating irradiance heat flux of each car component. An 8-floor automated tall car park structure is designed in accordance with European standards. The results show that steel car pallets underneath cars reach to 1000 degree Celsius in early phases of fire, which could potentially cause a structural failure. Without any fire protection on the structure, the fire spreads to the neighboring cars in 25 minutes and to the cars above in 20 minutes. Significant fire protection is needed to eliminate fire spread between passenger cars. A more effective sprinkler system is also proposed to suppress the car fire.

FireExplorer: A Graphical User Interface for Fire Modeling

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Swensen ◽  
S. Borodai ◽  
E. Eddings ◽  
M. McDonald ◽  
D. Swede ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
User Interface ◽  
Graphical User Interface ◽  
Fire Protection ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Fire Modeling ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Fire Dynamics ◽  
Modeling Software ◽  
Set Up

Fire modeling is used by Fire Protection Engineers and fire researchers to evaluate fire spread and damage for a wide variety of applications, including evaluating building fire protection systems, developing fire safety equipment and assisting in legal proceedings by assessing the source of a fire. Historically, empirical and zonal models that contained limited physics and accuracy were used for these analyses. Today, there is a greater emphasis on using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) based models because these models can capture localized conditions (e.g., local temperatures, heat fluxes, gas composition, smoke travel) required to perform a proper analysis of a fire situation which can be crucial when evaluating product designs, safety procedures, fire re-enactments and smoke transport. Although several fire modeling software packages are available, the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) package available from NIST is commonly used due to the fire modeling community having confidence in this tool because it has been validated. In this paper is described a new software package, FireExplorer®, which can be used to simplify the time-consuming and complex tasks required to create the inputs for the NIST FDS model, execute and monitor the simulation and view the results.. The tool employs an easy to use graphical user interface designed for use by the non-modeling expert. The tool contains all the capabilities required to set-up, execute, analyze and visualize a fire simulation in an environment that is robust, flexible and extensible.

scholarly journals Field modeling of the fire dynamics as an answer to the question about the fire alarm performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 40-50
Author(s):  
I. R. Khasanov ◽  
A. V. Karpov ◽  
S. F. Lobova ◽  
N. V. Petrova
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Study ◽  
Combustion Model ◽  
Smoke Detector ◽  
Fire Load ◽  
Fire Dynamics ◽  
Fire Alarm ◽  
Combustion Models ◽  
Field Modeling ◽  
Smoke Detectors ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. The performance of a fire alarm needs to be analyzed to answer the question about its compliance with fire safety requirements. This type of research is frequently performed in the course of a forensic fire investigation. Therefore, it is necessary to identify conditions of fire escalation and safe evacuation of people to assess the fire alarm performance.Purposes and objectives. The purpose of this work is the numerical study of the impact, produced by mathematical models of combustion, characteristics of fire loads and locations of fire beds, on fire alarm performance. Methods. Fire dynamics was field modeled to achieve the goal of this research. The analysis of flame propagation was performed with regard for various fire bed locations to simulate the fire alarm operation.Results and discussion. The fulfillment of safe evacuation conditions for cases of irregular arrangement of smoke detectors was analyzed to develop and test the algorithm for the calculation of the evacuation start time. It is shown that the estimated time of fire detection depends on combustion models employed (their average or complex level), the size of the computational grid, fire load specifications and the location of the fire bed.Conclusions. It is shown that the results of the field modeling of fire propagation and detection time are influenced by combustion models used, fire load specifications and the location of the fire bed in relation to smoke detectors. If the fire alarm fails to perform its functions and, consequently, safe evacuation conditions are not fulfilled, it is necessary either to improve the combustion model or to compare the modeling results obtained for actual and standard smoke detector location patterns.

An integrated modelling strategy between a CFD and an FE software

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Tondini ◽  
Andrea Morbioli ◽  
Olivier Vassart ◽  
Sullivan Lechêne ◽  
Jean-Marc Franssen
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Action ◽  
Integrated Modelling ◽  
Fire Dynamics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Car Park ◽  
Modelling Methodology ◽  
Coupling Approach ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Advanced Analysis

Purpose This paper aims to present the assumptions and the issues that arise when developing an integrated modelling methodology between a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software applied to compartment fires and a finite element (FE) software applied to structural systems. Design/methodology/approach Particular emphasis is given to the weak coupling approach developed between the CFD code fire dynamics simulator (FDS) and the FE software SAFIR. Then, to show the potential benefits of such a methodology, a multi-storey steel-concrete composite open car park was considered. Findings Results show that the FDS–SAFIR coupling allows overcoming shortcomings of simplified models by performing the thermal analysis in the structural elements based on a more advanced modelling of the fire development, whereas it appears that the Hasemi model is more conservative in terms of thermal action. Originality/value A typical design approach using the Hasemi model is compared with a more advanced analysis that relies on the proposed FDS–SAFIR coupling.

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