Analyzing a Transit Subway Station during Fire Emergency using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Abstract

Computational fluid dynamics is used to analyze a transit subway station during fire emergency conditions. The analysis is based on solving the partial differential equations governing the transport of mass, momentum, and energy within the station geometry. A steady source of heat (e.g., fire) equivalent to 90 MBtu/hr is placed in the station. Steady state results for temperature distribution and air velocity field for three fire locations are presented. The results indicate that safe evacuation of patrons cannot be achieved without mechanical ventilation.