A computer-based simulation and evaluation: Applying an automatic sprinkler system for extinguishing scooter fires in arcade areas

Abstract

In Taiwan, arcade buildings function as areas for parking scooters, spaces for markets, and walkways for pedestrians. In recent decades, arcade fires have caused many cases of serious casualties due to the likely direction of fire that spreads from the first floor up, which hinders the evacuation routes. The majority of fire prevention research has focused on confined spaces or rooms instead of arcade areas. Specifically, the controlling of fire spreads that are caused by scooters in arcade areas has been rarely discussed. The variables of spaces, Response Time Index, and sprinkler activation temperatures are modeled in five fire scenarios with the Fire Dynamics Simulator software to simulate the real arcade fires in this paper. The results show that (1) setting an automatic sprinkler system can effectively suppress the arcade fires, (2) the quick response sprinkler RTI≦50 is the most effective type, and the result is similar to RTI=25, and (3) the sprinkler settings with either 2.3 meters or 2.6 meters do not have significant effects on heat release rates.

Application Development of Smoke Leakage Test Apparatus for Door Sets in the Field

“…The entire test process can be completed by two testing personnel within 30 min. The results of each test were converted into the actual volume leakage of the test body under standard conditions (Figure 6), which can be found to possess specific pattern properties at 10 Pa and 25 Pa. As an example, for the test result of test number A, the actual volume leakage under a pressure difference of 25 Pa was converted into 13.73 m 3 /h under standard conditions, which can be calculated by Equation (1). The theoretical volume leakage value under 10 Pa pressure difference was 5.64 m 3 /h, which was only 0.19 m 3 /h away from the field test result of 5.83 m 3 /h.…”

“…According to previous research regarding building fires, the main factor contributing to human casualties is the dispersion of smoke through building openings [1]. The mortality rate due to this is over 50% greater than the mortality rate due to causes directly related to fires [2], which is why the smoke control performance of building openings has particular importance.…”