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Qualitative Analysis of Ventilation Position and Dimension Effects on Compartment Fire Dynamics: An Experimental and
Mohamed Beshir1,2, Yu Wang3, Antonio Cicione4
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6 Canada.
Fire Technology
|September 8, 2025
Summary
Fire dynamics in informal settlements are critical. Opening placement significantly impacts heat flux, with windows near doors increasing risks. Optimizing openings can delay flashover and improve fire safety in vulnerable housing.
Area of Science:
- Fire Science and Engineering
- Urban Planning and Safety
- Building Performance Analysis
Background:
- Informal settlements house over a billion people globally, facing extreme fire vulnerability.
- Thermally thin, steel-clad, timber-framed homes common in South African informal settlements exemplify this risk.
- Understanding fire dynamics in these specific housing types is crucial for mitigation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of opening characteristics (location, area, aspect ratio) on fire dynamics.
- To analyze fire behavior in thermally thin and leaky compartments representative of informal dwellings.
- To provide data for engineers and urban planners to mitigate urban conflagrations in informal settlements.
Main Methods:
- Conducted six full-scale laboratory fire experiments.
- Utilized computational modeling to complement experimental data.
- Varied window and door configurations to assess impact on fire spread and intensity.
Main Results:
- Window placement adjacent to the door resulted in the highest heat fluxes (13 kW/m²) opposite the door.
- Cross-flow scenarios (window opposite door) yielded slightly higher fluxes (10-11 kW/m²) than side-wall windows (7-9 kW/m²).
- Increased opening area generally reduced heat fluxes but increased the heat release rate required for flashover.
Conclusions:
- Opening geometry critically influences fire dynamics and heat flux distribution in informal settlement dwellings.
- Strategic placement and sizing of openings can potentially delay flashover and reduce fire intensity.
- Findings contribute vital knowledge for developing effective fire safety measures in vulnerable communities.
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