Flame and Carbonization Patterns of Animal-Origin Foods Ignited by Overheating

Abstract

Real-scale fire tests were performed on animal-origin foods using a gas stove with no overheating prevention device. When the animal-origin foods were ignited, a large quantity of white smoke and steam was generated from them; however, when they became dry and began to carbonize, a dark smoke was generated. Even after the gas stove was overheated for more than 5400 s, mackerel, pollack, chicken, etc., did not ignite. However, pork, beef, and tuna caught fire after 2643 s, 2819 s, and 6492 s of heating, respectively. The flame patterns of animal-origin foods were in the forms of a mixed laminar flow and a turbulent flow, and a halo pattern was produced. A sand glass form of the flame pattern was generated when a kitchen hood was operated, but a triangular flame pattern was produced when the kitchen hood was not operated. When the tuna in the pot was overheated, it spontaneously ignited after 6492 s, with the surface temperature of the kitchen hood rapidly rising to 464.5 ℃. Moreover, the temperature at the back of the pot, which was 6 cm away from the outer surface of the upper part of the pot, was 869 ℃ after 6660 s because of the radiant heat. The flame formed a sand glass pattern on the kitchen wall. When the kitchen hood was not operated, or when the flame grew lower than the height of the ceiling, a triangular pattern was formed.