A Study on the Heat Release Characteristics of Fire Load for Performance Based Design of Multiplexes: A Focus on the Heat Release Rate and Fire Spread Rate of Cinema Seats

Abstract

As performance-based design (PBD) has a direct impact on evacuation safety assessments, designing fire scenarios based on real fire tests is essential. To improve the reliability of the PBD for fire safety in multiplexes, information on fire behavior, such as heat release rate (HRR) and fire spread rate, are provided in this study by conducting a standard fabric flammability test. To this end, several chairs were arranged in a pattern that resembled a theater-style seating. The peak HRR and heating value per unit mass for each chair ranged from 415 kW to 988 kW and 15.2 MJ/kg to 23.8 MJ/kg, respectively. The heating values per unit mass of the new and old chairs were 23.6 MJ/kg and 16.7 MJ/kg, respectively. As the quantity of plastic and cushioning materials in the new chairs was more than that of the old ones, the new chairs were more vulnerable to fire hazards. Furthermore, when the chairs were arranged in a line, the fire spread rate was observed to be 0.39–0.42 m/min, regardless of the ignition location. Finally, a fire growth curve showing the peak HRR and fire spread rate was also demonstrated.