An experimental study of the rate of gas temperature rise in enclosure fires

Sixty-one experiments are reported using PMMA fuel in a small scale compartment with interchangeable lining materials and an adjustable vent. In this article, the hot gas temperature records (sampled every 5 s) are used to investigate correlations of peak hot gas temperature with first and second order gradients during fire growth. The results of one full-scale test were found to match critical conditions suggested by the small scale tests for ensuring or avoiding flashover. The results demonstrate the potential for using growth data to predict peak hazards from an in-fire dynamic assessment. The implications and work needed for practical application are briefly discussed.

► Sixty-one experiments were reported using PMMA fuel under different lining materials and vent factors.
► Hot gas layer temperature–time curves were classified and their characteristics were analyzed.
► Temperature rise rate were studied by correlating and some regression equations were gained.
► The application of research results to flashover were briefly discussed and initially thought.
► The results demonstrate the potential for using growth data to predict peak hazards.