A reduced-scale experimental investigation of facade flame behavior ejected from a top-hung window of fire compartment

In case of a room fire, facade flame ejected from a window could lead to catastrophic consequence. Top -hung window is a common feature in modern buildings. This paper investigates, for the first time, the ejected facade flame behavior from a top-hung window. Experiments are performed by a cubic scale model compart-ment with a top-hung window of four opening angles and four dimensions under various heat release rates (HRR). A total of 119 test conditions are involved to quantify generally the ejected facade flame behavior and morphological characteristics, characterized by its vertical height and horizontal depth (normal to facade). It is found that the position of neutral plane between the inflow and outflow at the top-hung window increases with opening angle, while being smaller as the window width is larger or the window height is smaller. The critical HRR for flame ejection is higher as the top-hung window opening angle is larger. The facade flame depth increases, while the flame height decreases, with increasing of opening angle of the top-hung window. A new characteristic length taking into account both the top-hung window dimensions and window open-ing angle is deduced by the mass balance analysis of the inflow and outflow as well as ventilation factor through the top-hung window. New dimensionless models are established to describe the critical HRR for flame ejection, the height of the facade flame and flame depth as a function of the newly derived top-hung window ventilation factor as well as characteristic length, showing good fitting of experimental results. The present study provides the basic data, understanding and model of facade flame characteristics from a top -hung window of a fire compartment, which is essential in estimation of its risk and adverse impact to urban environment as a new supplementary over previous knowledge limited for freely opened windows. & COPY; 2022 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This paper investigates the behavior of facade flames ejected from a top-hung window, and establishes models to describe the characteristics of flame ejection, flame height, and flame depth based on the window's dimensions and opening angle. The study provides valuable data and models for assessing the risk and impact of fires involving top-hung windows on urban environments.