Experimental data from gas burner fires in residential structure with HVAC system

Area of Science:

• Fire Science
• Building Physics
• Combustion Chemistry

Background:

• Limited full-scale experimental data exists for fires in residential structures, especially concerning HVAC systems.
• Quantification of water (H2O) generation during combustion and its transport within structures is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the data gap in full-scale residential fire experiments.
• To investigate the impact of HVAC systems on fire dynamics and gas transport.
• To quantify H2O generation and movement within a structure during a fire.

Main Methods:

• Conducted propane gas burner fire experiments in a purpose-built, two-story structure.
• Instrumented the structure to measure temperature, pressure, velocity, and gas concentrations.
• Varied HVAC operating status, fire location, heat release rate, and bedroom door position.

Main Results:

• Collected comprehensive data on heat and gas species transfer under different fire and ventilation conditions.
• Assessed the influence of HVAC system operation on fire spread and smoke movement.
• Quantified the generation and transport of combustion products, including H2O.

Conclusions:

• The experimental data provides a valuable resource for validating and improving fire models for residential buildings.
• Understanding the role of HVAC systems is critical for predicting fire behavior and ensuring occupant safety.
• The study highlights the importance of considering gas transport phenomena in fire safety engineering.