Flashover control under fire suppression conditions

Possibility of flashover development under fire suppression conditions is i nvestigated using a zone model approach. Analytical models are developed to model the effect of water sprinklers and water mist systems interactions w ith the ceiling smoke layer, and to assess the effects of such interactions on flashover development. Different regimes of heat transfer between water spray and smoke layer are investigated, and the limits of these regimes ar e identified. Critical conditions for flashover development during suppress ion are formulated. The derived conditions allow the critical water applica tion rates required for flashover prevention to be found as functions of sp ray and fire characteristics. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights res erved.