Sensitivity analysis of fire models using a fractional factorial design

This work presents a sensitivity analysis, conducted in the framework of the PRISME OECD programme, using fractional factorial design. Several field and zone computer codes have been used to study the influence of some factors characterizing either the fuel, or the compartment or the ventilation network on relevant responses for fire safety studies. More specifically, the effects of these factors on gas and wall temperatures, the concentration of oxygen in the room, total and radiative heat flux to the walls and the total pressure in the compartment were examined. The results have mainly allowed to organize in a hierarchy the importance of various factors on these responses. Along with this sensitivity study, three methods for generating samples were compared: the Monte-Carlo method, the full and fractional experimental designs. The results have shown that a fractional factorial design, composed of eight runs, gave the same information than a full factorial design, composed of 64 runs or than a Monte-Carlo method, composed of 200 runs.

► A sensitivity analysis is conducted with several fire models. ► The factors concern either the fuel, or the compartment or the ventilation network. ► Three methods are compared: Monte-Carlo, full and fractional factorial designs. ► Globally, the same information is obtained for each of the three methods.