- Author
- Walton, W. D. | Notarianni, K. A.
- Title
- Comparison of Ceiling Jet Temperatures Measured in an Aircraft Hangar Test Fire With Temperatures Predicted by the DETACT-QS and LAVENT Computer Models.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Sponsor
- U.S. Fire Administration, Emmitsburg, MD General Services Administration, Washington, DC
- Report
- NISTIR 4947, January 1993, 35 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- computer models | ceiling jets | temperature | aircraft hangars | building technology | detector response | fire models | fire plumes | fire tests | pool fires | response time | sprinkler response
- Abstract
- Prediction of the DETACT-QS and LAVENT computer fire models are compared to temperature measurements made during the calibration of the fire detection system in a military aircraft hanger. Two 3.34 m² isopropyl alcohol pool fire tests of 60 second duration were conducted in the 37 m by 40 m by 14 m high main hanger bay. Brass disks with a known thermal response time index (RTI) were used to simulate the thermal element in a sprinkler or heat detector. Measurements were made of centerline plume temperatures, and ceiling jet gas and disk temperatures at radial distances of 0, 2.7, 5.5, 8.2, and 11.0 m from the centerline of the fire, 380 mm below the ceiling. At a radial distance of 5.5 m, measurements of ceiling jet gas temperatures were also made 150 and 610 mm below the ceiling. Comparisons of predictions and measurements demonstrate some of the strengths and weakness of DETACT-QS and LAVENT for this fire scenario.