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Thermal hazard analysis of ALA nightclub fire debris

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Abstract

The fire that occurred at ALA nightclub was the deadliest nightclub fire in Taiwan. This study used the ALA nightclub fire as a case study and conducted a burning test based on the official fire investigation report. Fireworks that had been used during the performance were the cause of fire. Their heat release rate is approximately 180 kW, and the flame temperature is 300 °C. Soundproof foam collected from the fire debris was used to conduct a thermal analysis experiment under two different heating rates. In addition, related studies were referenced. It was found that when the sample was heated to between 45 and 55 °C, pyrolysis reaction started and the sample started to release harmful substances. The burning behavior of soundproof foam is considered ultrafast. When the heating temperature reaches between 225 and 370 °C, the sample releases 1,819.09–2,894.59 J g−1 of heat. It is evident that it poses a serious degree of thermal hazard. Finally, it is recommended that the emergency egress time in entertainment establishments such as nightclubs should be kept between 60 and 90 s or less as a reference for fire safety strategies for nightclubs.

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Abbreviations

L :

Mean flame height (m)

Q :

Heat release rate (kW)

D :

Flame diameter (m)

t :

Ignition time (s)

α :

Flame growth coefficient (kW s−2)

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Acknowledgements

Appreciation is hereby expressed toward Dr. Tsai Ming-Ju and others from Architecture and Building Research Institute of Ministry of the Interior for contributing their research studies; the antecessors from National Fire Agency of Ministry of the Interior for providing precious information from the fire accident. We would like to express our sincerest gratitude.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Engineering Science and Technology, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (NYUST), 123, University Rd., Sec. 3, Douliou, 64002, Yunlin, Taiwan

    Chi-Tang Yeh & Chi-Min Shu

  2. Department of Industrial Education and Technology, National Changhua University of Education, 2, Shi-Da Road, Changhua City, 50074, Taiwan

    Shun-Jen Shih

  3. Department of Fire Science, Wu Feng University, 117 Jianguo Rd., Sec.2, Chiayi, 62153, Minsyong, Taiwan

    Jen-Hao Chi

Authors
  1. Chi-Tang Yeh
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  2. Shun-Jen Shih
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  3. Jen-Hao Chi
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  4. Chi-Min Shu
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Correspondence to Jen-Hao Chi.

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Yeh, CT., Shih, SJ., Chi, JH. et al. Thermal hazard analysis of ALA nightclub fire debris. J Therm Anal Calorim 117, 1065–1071 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-014-3913-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-014-3913-1

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