Preliminary Experimental Study of Horizontal Opening Effect on Pool Fire Behavior

A series of experiments were conducted in a ceiling vented compartment to obtain the horizontal opening effect on pool fire behavior. Three pan diameters and six horizontal opening sizes were adopted and measurements included the mass loss, oxygen concentration and temperature in the horizontal opening. A dimensionless horizontal ventilation parameter coupling horizontal opening and pool fire areas was proposed to deal with these measuring parameters obtained. Results show that the burning rate varies with the horizontal opening parameter, as well as the oxygen concentration at extinction. Moreover, the maximum and average temperature difference in the horizontal opening present similar poisson distribution with an increase in horizontal ventilation parameter.