Experimental study on the characteristics of wood crib fire in a confined space with different ventilation conditions

This work presented an experimental study on the characteristics of wood crib fire in a confined space under different ventilation conditions. Burning tests of wood cribs were conducted in a 3 × 3 × 3 m3 chamber with different ventilation areas and locations. Several characteristic burning parameters were measured, including mass loss rate, flame temperature, the temperature of the crib center, the enclosure temperature, and CO concentration. Results indicated that the influence of ventilation conditions on burning parameters was varied. Mass loss rate, the enclosure temperature, and CO concentration in the chamber were greatly affected by the ventilation area and vent location, while the flame temperature and the temperature of the crib center were little affected by the ventilation conditions. Influence of the ventilation conditions on the burning characteristics of wood cribs was discussed based on experimental results and established fire theories.