Investigating the Actuation of Sidewall Sprinkler in an Atrium Using CFD Simulation

Jaime III Reyes; Jaime Honra

doi:10.37934/cfdl.16.11.92110

Authors

Jaime III Reyes School of Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Energy Engineering, Mapua University, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines
Jaime Honra School of Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mapua University, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37934/cfdl.16.11.92110

Keywords:

atrium, sidewall sprinkler actuation, fire dynamic simulator, computational fluid dynamics

Abstract

This study investigates the actuation of sidewall sprinklers in large-scale buildings with high-ceilinged atriums, addressing the challenges of unique architectural configurations. Compliance with NFPA 101 requires automatic sprinkler systems, including atrium areas, in these buildings. To maintain aesthetic considerations, design engineers, particularly in the middle east, often propose sidewall sprinklers as an alternative to traditional ceiling sprinklers. This research assesses whether the sidewall sprinklers would actuate during a fire using Fire Dynamic Simulator (FDS). The findings indicate that sidewall sprinklers will fail to actuate if the fire is located at the centre of the atrium, even if the edge of the fire area is below the sprinklers. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of using an FDS mesh resolution (D*/dx) of 6 or finer resolution when measuring temperatures near the flame or fire plume to ensure accurate evaluations of sprinkler activation. These findings provide valuable insights for design engineers and authorities, assisting in decision-making processes related to fire safety measures, system designs, and regulatory compliance.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Jaime III Reyes, School of Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Energy Engineering, Mapua University, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

jaimereyes@mymail.mapua.edu.ph

Jaime Honra, School of Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mapua University, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

jphonra@mapua.edu.ph

References

Tilley, Nele, Pieter Rauwoens, and Bart Merci. "Verification of the accuracy of CFD simulations in small-scale tunnel and atrium fire configurations." Fire Safety Journal 46, no. 4 (2011): 186-193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2011.01.007

Ayala, Pablo, Alexis Cantizano, Cándido Gutiérrez-Montes, and Guillermo Rein. "Influence of atrium roof geometries on the numerical predictions of fire tests under natural ventilation conditions." Energy and Buildings 65 (2013): 382-390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.06.010

Al-Waked, Rafat, Mohammad Nasif, Nathan Groenhout, and Lester Partridge. "Natural ventilation of residential building Atrium under fire scenario." Case Studies in Thermal Engineering 26 (2021): 101041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2021.101041

Xu, Lei, Yongyu Wang, and Liwei Song. "Numerical research on the smoke spread process of thin-tall atrium space under various ceiling height." Case Studies in Thermal Engineering 25 (2021): 100996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2021.100996

Gutiérrez-Montes, Cándido, Enrique Sanmiguel-Rojas, and Antonio Viedma. "Influence of different make-up air configurations on the fire-induced conditions in an atrium." Building and Environment 45, no. 11 (2010): 2458-2472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2010.05.006

Hostikka, Simo, Matti Kokkala, and Jukka Vaari. Experimental study of the localized room fires: NFSC2 test series. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, 2001.

Nam, Soonil. "Actuation of sprinklers at high ceiling clearance facilities." Fire safety journal 39, no. 7 (2004): 619-642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2004.06.004

Hopkin, Charlie, Michael Spearpoint, and Danny Hopkin. "A review of design values adopted for heat release rate per unit area." Fire Technology 55, no. 5 (2019): 1599-1618. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-019-00834-8

Qin, T. X., Y. C. Guo, C. K. Chan, and W. Y. Lin. "Numerical simulation of the spread of smoke in an atrium under fire scenario." Building and Environment 44, no. 1 (2009): 56-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2008.01.014

Lougheed, G. D. "Considerations in the design of smoke management systems for atriums." (2000). https://doi.org/10.4224/40002828

Madrzykowski, Daniel. Impact of a residential sprinkler on the heat release rate of a Christmas tree fire. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Building and Fire Research Laboratory. Fire Research Division, 2008. https://doi.org/10.6028/nist.ir.7506

Theobald, C. R., and Philip H. Thomas. Growth and development of fire in industrial buildings. National Emergency Training Center, 1977.

Madrzykowski, Daniel M. "Evaluation of sprinkler activation prediction methods." (1995). https://doi.org/10.6028/nist.ir.6941

Cengel, Yunus A., Michael A. Boles, and Mehmet Kanoğlu. Thermodynamics: an engineering approach. Vol. 5. New York: McGraw-hill, 2011.

Gutiérrez-Montes, Cándido, Enrique Sanmiguel-Rojas, Antonio Viedma, and Guillermo Rein. "Experimental data and numerical modelling of 1.3 and 2.3 MW fires in a 20 m cubic atrium." Building and Environment 44, no. 9 (2009): 1827-1839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2008.12.010

Yeoh, Guan Heng, and Kwok Kit Yuen. Computational fluid dynamics in fire engineering: theory, modelling and practice. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-7506-8589-4.00008-9

Patterson, Nathaniel Mead. "Assessing the feasibility of reducing the grid resolution in FDS field modelling." (2002).

McGrattan, Kevin B., Howard R. Baum, and Ronald G. Rehm. "Large eddy simulations of smoke movement." Fire safety journal 30, no. 2 (1998): 161-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0379-7112(97)00041-6