Fire simulations in a fire house model

Simulating fire and smoke flows can be used to predict flame heights or flow velocity and thus the time-dependent temperatures and heights of the smoke layer [1]. While simple models are often sufficient, other scenarios require simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

In a recent project, a different approach was taken to create a visual model of a burning house. Three room modules and three staircase modules were built from concrete blocks which can be assembled into various house configurations. The front of all modules consists of fireplace glass, temperature sensors are embedded in the rear of all modules, and the temperature of the concrete and glass on the front is measured using a FLUKE TI 480 thermal imaging camera.

By burning different materials inside one room of this fire house model, the difference between white and black smoke can be explained by complete and incomplete burning of wood and plastics, respectively. The temperature development inside the house can be clearly observed by the thermal camera. In one experiment, even a backdraft (spontaneous ignition of pyrolysis gases) was successfully produced.

The poster provides an overview of the construction process for the concrete modules and shows exemplary results from combustion tests in the fire house model.

[1] Forney, G. P.; Madrzykowski, D.; McGrattan, K. B.; Sheppard, L. Understanding fire and smoke flow through modeling and visualization. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications 2003, 23, 6-13.