Smoke spread experiment in a multi-storey building and computer modelling

The CESARE-SMOKE model is a network model which can be used to estimate smoke spread in a multi-storey building when subjected to fire. The model calculates time-dependent temperature and species concentrations at locations remote from the room of fire origin. Spatial variation of physical parameters in a single enclosure with large aspect ratio can also be estimated. This paper describes a series of full-scale fire experiments that were designed to investigate the validity of the model. The experiments, involving steady state burning rates and a number of ventilation conditions, were conducted in a four-storey building. Temperature, pressure, flow velocity, smoke density and species concentrations were measured in various parts of the building. The chimney effect and its influence on temperature distribution in a stair shaft were observed. Comparisons are made between the experimental results and the model predictions. The experimental results are also compared with the predictions of the CFAST two-zone model. Suggestions are mane for further improvements to the network model. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.