Evaluation of zone models CFAST and BRI2 on simulating small compartmental fires

Performance of two fire zone models CFAST and BRI2 on simulating small compartmental fires were studied experimentally in a fire chamber with a vent of varying size and height above the floor level. The chamber is of length 4.0 m, width 3.0 m and height 2.8 m. Burning tests were carried out with wood cribs and methanol to study the pre-flashover stage of a compartmental fire and the effect of ventilation. The mass loss rate of fuel; temperature distribution of the compartment; air intake rate; and oxygen concentration at the outlet openings were measured. The heat release rates of the fuel were calculated by using the mass loss rate and the oxygen consumption methods. Differences between the two approaches in getting the heat release rate on the predicted results by the zone models were also studied.