Numerical Studies on Recent Large High-Rise Building Fire
This article has a reply.
VIEW THE REPLYPublication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 4, Issue 2
Abstract
Numerical studies on a recent large high-rise building fire in Hong Kong are reported. Preliminary studies suggested that a lift shaft under refurbishment with all of its doors removed was the key factor in the fire spreading. This point is investigated in this paper by simulating the fire environment using a fire-zone model and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Different scenarios with a fire starting at the lift shaft and also starting at a higher level were considered. Five sets of zone-model simulations and three sets of CFD simulations were performed. The importance of providing a lift lobby was demonstrated. It is further confirmed that this lift shaft would create many problems. A lift shaft, even undergoing refurbishment, should not have its doors kept opened.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
CHAM. (1996). What is new on PHOENICS 2.2 version 1.1? Concentration, Heat and Mass Limited, London, U.K.
2.
Chow, W. K.(1995). “Use of computational fluid dynamics for simulating enclosure fires.”J. Fire Sci., 13(4), 300–334.
3.
Chow, W. K.(1996a). “Multi-cell concept for simulating fires in big enclosures using a zone model.”J. Fire Sci., 14(3), 168–198.
4.
Chow, W. K.(1996b). “Prediction of fire environment in apartments using zone models.”J. Fire Sci., 14(4), 263–312.
5.
Chow, W. K. (1996c). “Preliminary studies on a big fire in Hong Kong—investigational report.” Hong Kong Polytechnic Univ., Hong Kong.
6.
Chow, W. K.(1996d). “Simulation of carbon monoxide level in enclosed car parks using an air flow network program.”Tunnelling and Underground Space Technol., 11(2), 237–240.
7.
Codes of practice for minimum fire services installation and equipment. (1994). Fire Services Dept., Hong Kong.
8.
Friedman, R. (1992). “An international survey of computer models for fire and smoke.”J. of Fire Protection Engrg., 4(3) 81–92.
9.
Hong Kong Standards. (1997). Hong Kong.
10.
Ming Pao. (1996)., Hong Kong.
11.
Peacock, R. D., Forney, G. P., Reneke, P., Portier, R., and Jones, W. W. (1993a). “CFAST, the consolidated model of fire growth and smoke transport.”NIST Tech. Note 1299, Nat. Inst. of Standards and Technol., Gaithersburg, Md.
12.
Peacock, R. D., Jones, W. W., and Bukowski, R. W.(1993b). “Verification of a model of fire and smoke transport.”Fire Safety J., 21(2), 89–129.
13.
South China morning post. (1996). Hong Kong.
14.
Sun Pao. (1996). “Report from the fire services department on the preliminary investigation of the Garley Building fire.” Hong Kong.
15.
The SPFE handbook, fire protection engineering. (1995). 2nd Ed., Soc. of Fire Protection Engrs./Nat. Fire Protection Assn.
16.
Walton, G. N. (1993). “CONTAM-93 User manual.”NSTIR 5385, Nat. Inst. of Standards and Technol., Gaithersburg, Md.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 4 • Issue 2 • June 1998
Pages: 65 - 74
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Jun 1, 1998
Published in print: Jun 1998
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.