AN APPROACH FOR EVALUATING FIRE ZONE MODELS

Evaluation of zone models is proposed by checking the relationship bet ween input heat release rate of a steady burning fire and the outflowi ng rates of smoke through the vertical openings. Two zone models, CFAS T developed at the NIST, U.S.A., and one-room hot layer model of FIREC ALC developed at CSIRO, Australia, were tested by carrying out numeric al studies in a small compartment. It is found that for preflashover f ires with a heat release rate less than the flashover value, results p redicted by both models are reasonable. However, care must be taken in using the models when the heat release rate of the fire exceeds the f lashover value.