Influence of the primary components of the high-speed train on fire heat release rate

A numerical model of the high-speed train carriage fire is established in this study. The influence of ceilings, sidewalls, luggage racks, seats, and floors on the heat release rate (HRR) of the high-speed train is studied by numerical methods. The results indicate that the heat release rate per unit area (HRRPUA) of ceiling and seat material dramatically influences the peak HRR and the time to peak HRR of train carriage fire. When the peak HRRPUA of interior ceiling material 1 decreases from 326 to 110 kW/m2, the peak HRR of the high-speed train fire decreases from 36.4 to 16.5 MW, with a reduction ratio of 54.7%. When seat materials with low HRRPUA are used, the peak HRR reduction ratio is 44.8%. The HRRPUA of the sidewall, luggage rack, and floor materials has little effect on the peak HRR of the carriage fire. However, the non-combustible luggage rack can delay the time when the HRR reaches its peak.