Impacts of elevation on pool fire behavior in a closed compartment: A study based upon a distinct stratification phenomenon

Abstract

The impacts of elevation on pool fire behavior in a closed compartment were investigated based upon a distinctive stratification phenomenon. The parameters including the mass loss rate, the combustion efficiency, and the heat release rate were measured. The results indicated that the mass loss rate maintained a steady stage for fires whose flame did not impinge the ceiling. The boiling burning occurred soon after the ignition, the mass loss rate increased sharply and the value was much larger than that in the open space if the flame impinged the ceiling. The combustion efficiency and carbon conversion ratio tended to be smaller if the fire was elevated higher. The combustion efficiency of fires whose flame impinged the ceiling was much smaller than that of fires whose flame did not impinge the ceiling. From the perspective of the heat release rate, elevated fires whose flame impinged the ceiling were more hazardous at the early stage.