Work

The Impact of an Office Fire Combined with the Stack Effect in a Multi-Story Building

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The current study was based on two simulations conducted in FDS that examined the influences of an office fire on the ground floor of a 10-story building (with 9 above-ground floors) and its impact on air and smoke flow. After reviewing the literature, we observe a significant gap in current research addressing the dynamic interdependence between fire development and the stack effect in multi-story residential buildings. It was found that the fire significantly intensified the stack effect, increasing the temperature in the stairwell, particularly on the ground floor. Gas velocities within the building increased but do not endanger the lives of the occupants. Visibility remained sufficient for evacuation from the apartments, except in critical areas such as the fire-affected apartment and the stairwell. Lethal concentrations of CO and CO2 were rapidly reached, severely impairing evacuation capability within the fire-affected apartment and the stairwell. Natural ventilation proved insufficient for controlling smoke and toxic gasses, highlighting the need for additional sealing measures and forced ventilation.

Source: Applied Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/app142411659

Authors: Iulian-Cristian Ene, Vlad Iordache, Ion Anghel

Institutions: Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest, Academia de Politie Alexandru Ioan Cuza

Language: English

Topic: Fire dynamics and safety research

Subfield: Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,728