- Author
- Nelson, H. E. | Tu, K. M.
- Title
- Engineering Analysis of the Fire Development in the Hillhaven Nursing Home Fire, October 5, 1989.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Sponsor
- Department of Health and Human Services, Baltimore, MD
- Report
- NISTIR 4665, September 1991, 56 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- bedding | carbon monoxide | fire investigations | fire models | fire tests | flashover | mattresses | nursing homes | rehabilitation | oxygen concentration
- Abstract
- This report presents the methods and results of an analysis of the development and spread of fire and smoke during the October 5, 1989 fire in the Hillhaven Rehabilitation and Convalescent Center, Norfolk, Virginia. The analysis uses data gathered from onsite visits, reports and information for other investigators, fire tests conducted at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and fire growth models and similar computations. The report details the procedure and data used, the reasons for those selected, and the results obtained. The analysis addresses mass burning rate; rate of heat release; smoke temperature; smoke layer depth; velocity, depth and temperature of the smoke front; oxygen concentration of smoke layer; carbon monoxide concentrations; and other factors. The areas of building analyzed include the room of fire origin, the corridor system exposed by that room, and other patient rooms on that corridor.