2019/12/17 by Harmathy, T. Z.
#Fire #Incendie #air flow #feu (incendie) #fire #local #oxidizers #oxydant #pyrolyse #pyrolysis #rooms #ventilation #écoulement de l'air
paper · doi:10.4224/40001768
It has been widely believed that in ventilation-controlled building fires a shortage of air limits the rate of burning. This concept is critically examined and proved untenable. Other possible mechanisms by which the flow rate of air into a compartment may control the rate of burning ( pyrolysis) of cellulosic fuel are examined and a plausible model presented. It is suggested that oxidation of surface char is the link by which the rate of pyrolysis is related to the rate of entry of air. The proposed model provides conclusions compatible with present knowledge of both ventilation-controlled and fuel-surface-controlled fires. It is emphasized, in conclusion, that the model is probably not applicable to compartments in which the fuel consists predominantly of non-charring plastics.