A Strategy to Develop Engineering Upward Flame-Spread Evaluation Methodology Based on the Linearized Flame Height Approximation

Abstract

Theoretical analysis of upward flame spread based on the linearized flame height approximation is made. SQW equation on upward turbulent flame spread has been generalized to incorporate the effect of burnout, and its solution has been studied on two functional forms for local heat release rate. The solution and its analysis has revealed significance of the burnout effects on upward flame spread behavior and notable sensitivity of flame spread to material properties. All these suggest usefulness of the maximum pyrolysis front height divided by pilot flame height as a measure to evaluate fire safety and reliability of the achieved safety for wall fires.