Comparative Analysis of Tests under Real Conditions and CFD Model for Selected Operation Parameters of a Mobile Fan Used by Fire Protection Units

Abstract

Mobile overpressure fans are popular tools used in rescue and extinguishing operations carried out by Fire Protection Units. They are used for exhaust and venting buildings from harmful products of thermal decomposition occurs due to fire. Health and human life may depend on the proper operations of this type of equipment. The aim of the article is to compare the results of real research with numerical analysis. The Scientific and Research Centrum for Fire Protection – National Research Institute test infrastructure was used for research. These test conditions were correlated during CFD (Computional Fluid Dynamics) analysis. The parameters resulting from the operation of the mobile overpressure fan are as follow: the shape of the stream and the distribution of the air flow velocity profile for the distances: 1.5 and 3.0. To perform tests, the representative ventilator was used – being a part of Fire Protection Units equipment. The obtained result provided information on discrepancies in the results of real and simulation studies, indicating further development directions of the research methodology of numerical studies, enabling future support for real studies. The error of the CFD model in relation to the actual tests for measuring the velocity of the flowing air is 0.18 to 18%.