IDENTIFYING SMOKE DETECTION BIASES WITHIN DIFFERING ROOM CONFIGURATIONS FOR ZONE AND COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMIC MODELS

Abstract

This research project aims to identify room configuration conditions in which FDS, a CFD model, and CFAST, a zone model, may differ in detector activation time. A total of four configurations, with varying aspect ratios, were explored. Additionally, a range of four ceiling heights were also modeled. Furthermore, a total of three statistically significant models were developed to relate the differences between detection times within CFAST and FDS. It was found that FDS and CFAST discrepancies were a result of the compartment volume to doorway area ratios. Larger volumes compared to the doorway area resulted in better agreement between FDS and CFAST. Additionally, for larger ceilings in FDS, larger variability in activation times were present. Furthermore, for higher ceilings, FDSs’ ability to account for thermal buoyancy within the smoke plume resulted in quicker activation within FDS.