Fire-Induced Temperature Correlations in Ceiling Vented Compartments

Existing fire-induced temperature correlations are on the basis of vent flow through vertical openings, and are not applicable for ceiling-vented compartment fires. The present work describes a correlation of fire-induced temperature in ceiling-vented compartments based on the widely accepted ceiling-vent flow formula and energy balance. A functional relationship between the dimensionless energy lost through the wall, the energy released through the ceiling vent and the temperature rise was established through theoretical analysis. Experimental tests were conducted on ceiling vented compartments. The averaged temperature rise were obtained, analyzed, and correlated by the established functional relationship. The correlation showed a good agreement with the experimental results. For the ceiling-vented compartment under study (3 × 3 × 1.95 m), the average temperature rise is found to be proportional to 2/3 power of the heat release rate.