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Author
Manzello, S. L. | Cleary, T. G. | Shields, J. R. | Yang, J. C.
Title
On the Ignition of Fuel Beds by Firebrands.
Coporate
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
Report
EastFIRE Session 3B-2,
Book or Conf
EastFIRE Conference. Proceedings. EastFIRE Session 3B-2. May 11-13, 2005, Fairfax, VA, 2005
Keywords
firebrands | ignition | fuel beds | urban fires | wildland fires | experiments
Identifiers
schematic of the firebrand ignition and release apparatus; glowing firebrand ignition data for single firebrand impact into pine needle beds; flaming firebrand ignition data for single firebrand impact into pine needle beds; glowing firebrand ignition data for multiple firebrand impact upon pine needle beds
Abstract
An experimental apparatus has been built to investigate the ignition of fuel beds as a result of impact with burning firebrands. The apparatus allowed for the ignition and deposition of both single and multiple firebrands onto the target fuel bed. The moisture content of the fuel beds used was varied and the test fuels considered were pine needle beds. Firebrands were simulated by machining wood into small disks of uniform geometry and the size of the disks was varied. The firebrand ignition apparatus was installed into the Fire Emulator/Detector Evaluator (FE/DE) to invetigate the influence of an air flow on the ignition propensity of fuel beds. Results of this study are presented and compared to relevant studies in the literature.