Study of the Fire Behavior of Multilayer Cables in a Mine Tunnel

Abstract

Fires caused by cables occur frequently in mines, which endanger the safety of workers. To explore the characteristics of a multilayer cable fire in a mine tunnel, multilayer cable fire simulations were carried out using the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). The influence of cable tray spacing, ignition position, and tunnel ventilation speed on the characteristics of the fire were studied. The results showed that these factors change the amount of contact between the cable and air, the heat accumulation, and the heat transfer by the flame interaction between the cables. It was also noted that increasing the spacing or wind speed both made the peak of heat release rate (PHRR) initially increase and then decrease. The influence of wind speed on the cable burnout rate in the upstream and downstream sides of the fire source was not consistent, and the wind speed had a sensitive effect on the cable burn out rate in the upstream side of the fire source. The higher the ignition position was, the longer the arrival time of PHRR was and the slower the fire developed. There was a higher burn velocity close to the ceiling. The cable hooks obstructed the cable fire. This study provides a theoretical basis for cable fire prevention and control in mine tunnels.