Studies on the stability of thermal stratified layer in a forced-ventilation fire using computational fluid dynamics

The Technique of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) can be applied in the study of various problems relating to the smoke filling process and smoke movement in buildings. However, developing CFD software requires prohibitive resources and commercial packages are very expensive. However, with recent reductions in costs of CFD packages, it is now possible to apply them more frequently in more significant projects. In this project, the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) package PHOENICS is applied to study a forced ventilation fire. In these applications, the thermal stratified layer induced by fires in a forced-ventilation compartment might not be stable. The positions of the fresh air intake and exhaust and the ventilation rates are the important factors affecting the stability of the smoke layer and the burning process of materials involved. If hot gases cannot rise due to the strong air flow induced by the ventilation fans, those sprinkler heads and fire detectors installed at the ceiling levels might not be activated.