Scale Model Reconstruction of Fire in an Atrium

Abstract

Scaling principles are derived and explained for the simulation of smoke movement in building fires. The scaling is primarily based on representing transient inviscid flows characteristic of large Reynolds number. This form of scaling is sometimes called Froude number scaling since the momentum and buoyancy effects are modeled. A technique is used to compensate for the neglect of Reynolds number effects at solid boundaries. The scaling technique was applied to clarify the performance of a smoke control system which operated in an actual fire incident in a department store atrium. The scale model results confirmed a design flaw in the smoke control system. The high velocity inlet air was shown to be responsible for mixing and destratifying the hot smoke in the atrium and dispersing it throughout the department store. It is believed this the first time a scale model in fire was used as evidence in civil litigation case.