Wind, Fire and High-Rises

Abstract

This article focuses on the need for synergy between the practical experience of fire departments and cutting-edge engineering practices that could lead to significant improvements in firefighting and firefighter safety. Experiments on Governors Island have been conducted to examine the effects of natural ventilation and positive pressure ventilation on a fire. The experiments would also allow researchers to study the means of egress from the building, and how conditions were affected by the use of wind control devices and high-rise nozzles. These studies provided real-scale data to guide the development of appropriate tactical operations for use under wind-driven conditions. Given the high cost and limited opportunities for full-scale experiments, modeling has used to address the need of understanding how to implement the tactics in buildings and under conditions outside the test parameters before the fire department would fully implement the new tactics as standard operating procedure. The Polytechnic Institute has developed a web-based, interactive multimedia general methodology, as well as a specific tool called Advanced Learning in Integrated Visual Environments (ALIVE).