111 - Experiments that will change fire science pt. 7 - CodeRed with Panos Kotsovinos
07/26/23 • 63 min
In this week's series covering experimental fire science, we venture into a recently finished Code Red project by ARUP, led by my today's guest Dr Panos Kotsovinos. The project was carried out in CERIB with the collaboration of the Imperial College London. History will tell if this experiment will change fire science, but I truly believe it is at least worth sharing!
The research was carried out on a large open-plan office (350m2) with a combustible CLT ceiling. It was a continuation of previous X-One and X-Two experiments on travelling fire behaviour carried out by Imperial College London in Poland (referred to here as the "Obora" experiments, listen to episode 27 of the show) but with an important difference - this time the ceiling was combustible. They were looking into how the introduction of the combustible ceiling will change the travelling fire behaviour, investigating variables such as the opening factor, the introduction of a low-pressure water mist system and partial encapsulation of the ceiling. The findings include observations related to fire spread, persistent smouldering fires, effects of the partial encapsulation and many many more which are discussed in detail in the show.
To learn more, please read the press release about the experiments here and most important - the papers:
- Fire dynamics inside a large and open-plan compartment with exposed timber ceiling and columns: CodeRed #01
- Impact of ventilation on the fire dynamics of an open-plan compartment with exposed timber ceiling and columns: CodeRed #02
- The Effectiveness of a Water Mist System in an Open-plan Compartment with an Exposed Timber Ceiling: CodeRed #03
- Impact of partial encapsulation on the fire dynamics of an open-plan compartment with exposed timber ceiling and columns: CodeRed #04
- Review of fire experiments in mass timber compartments: Current understanding, limitations, and research gaps
- Structural hazards of smouldering fires in timber buildings
- Flame spread characteristics in large compartments with an exposed timber ceiling
If you have any further questions to Panos please let me know, and I will gladly pass them on to him!
Fire Science Show is produced in partnership with OFR Consultants.
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The Fire Science Show is produced by the Fire Science Media in collaboration with OFR Consultants. Thank you to the podcast sponsor for their continuous support towards our mission.
In this week's series covering experimental fire science, we venture into a recently finished Code Red project by ARUP, led by my today's guest Dr Panos Kotsovinos. The project was carried out in CERIB with the collaboration of the Imperial College London. History will tell if this experiment will change fire science, but I truly believe it is at least worth sharing!
The research was carried out on a large open-plan office (350m2) with a combustible CLT ceiling. It was a continuation of previous X-One and X-Two experiments on travelling fire behaviour carried out by Imperial College London in Poland (referred to here as the "Obora" experiments, listen to episode 27 of the show) but with an important difference - this time the ceiling was combustible. They were looking into how the introduction of the combustible ceiling will change the travelling fire behaviour, investigating variables such as the opening factor, the introduction of a low-pressure water mist system and partial encapsulation of the ceiling. The findings include observations related to fire spread, persistent smouldering fires, effects of the partial encapsulation and many many more which are discussed in detail in the show.
To learn more, please read the press release about the experiments here and most important - the papers:
- Fire dynamics inside a large and open-plan compartment with exposed timber ceiling and columns: CodeRed #01
- Impact of ventilation on the fire dynamics of an open-plan compartment with exposed timber ceiling and columns: CodeRed #02
- The Effectiveness of a Water Mist System in an Open-plan Compartment with an Exposed Timber Ceiling: CodeRed #03
- Impact of partial encapsulation on the fire dynamics of an open-plan compartment with exposed timber ceiling and columns: CodeRed #04
- Review of fire experiments in mass timber compartments: Current understanding, limitations, and research gaps
- Structural hazards of smouldering fires in timber buildings
- Flame spread characteristics in large compartments with an exposed timber ceiling
If you have any further questions to Panos please let me know, and I will gladly pass them on to him!
Fire Science Show is produced in partnership with OFR Consultants.
----
The Fire Science Show is produced by the Fire Science Media in collaboration with OFR Consultants. Thank you to the podcast sponsor for their continuous support towards our mission.
Previous Episode
110 - NIST Fire Calorimetry Database with Matt Bundy
Ever wonder how scientists measure the intensity of a fire? Join us on this episode as we invite Dr. Matt Bundy from NIST. We discuss the intricacies of heat release rate, calorimetry, and how NIST is championing open data with their astonishing database.
You can learn more about the database here: https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/new-nist-fire-calorimetry-database-available-answer-your-burning-questions
And find the database here: https://www.nist.gov/el/fcd
I've tried to make this conversation for everyone. If you never saw a calorimeter or have no idea how to measure fire, from this episode you will learn probably all you need to know. If you know everything about calorimetry, there is a ton of golden nuggets on how NIST runs their experiments, that are absolutely worth listening too.
In the podcast episode, we start deciphering the art of measuring fire characteristics - from using heat flux gauges, oxygen and mass loss calorimetry and what are the challenges to each of them. We then explore the NIST Fire Calorimetry Database, unveiling its evolution from a humble set of data to an open-access resource. Dr. Bundy shares invaluable insights into the development of this enriching database, which has metamorphosed into an extensive video collection system that records fire experiments. He also whets our curiosity about the potential expansion and collaborations lying on the horizon for this unique database.
Rounding off our discussion, we delve into the inner workings of the hosting process of the NIST Calorimetry Database, its data storage methods, and how it facilitates easy access to experiments. We also glimpse the future of fire studies as Dr. Bundy calls on the Fire Science Show community to suggest objects to burn for their calorimetry.
Cover image: frame extracted from this calorimetry supercut video credit to NIST and Matt Bundy
This podcast episode is sponsored by OFR Consultants.
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The Fire Science Show is produced by the Fire Science Media in collaboration with OFR Consultants. Thank you to the podcast sponsor for their continuous support towards our mission.
Next Episode
112 - Fire Safety for Energy Storage Systems with Ali Ashrafi and Paweł Woelke
Energy storage systems are vital systems in fuel transition and as a part of technology responding to the challenges of climate change. Not only for their capability to store energy but also for exploring strategies like peak shaving or allowing for more distributed energy generation. In this discussion, we consider them as fixed storage systems but also recognize that moveable load such as vehicles poses similar challenges.
Even though fire safety energy storage is still a part of academic discussion, at the same time it is a part of real-world projects, where fire safety strategy must be proposed with the scarce data and knowledge available. To discuss how this is delivered I have invited two Thornton Tomasetti engineers - Ali Ashrafi and Paweł Woelke.
We unpack the available sources of data, discuss the variability of energy storage device test results, and underscore the need for a risk-based approach. Discussing the approval process for new technologies, calling for adaptability and stakeholder engagement to define acceptable risk levels. An interesting topic is the balancing act between fire and explosion risks as well as the suppression strategies.
Even though we do not know everything about the fire safety of energy storage systems yet, we need to act to the best of our capacity. I hope this discussion helps you in working out a fire-safe solution for your building.
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The Fire Science Show is produced by the Fire Science Media in collaboration with OFR Consultants. Thank you to the podcast sponsor for their continuous support towards our mission.
Fire Science Show - 111 - Experiments that will change fire science pt. 7 - CodeRed with Panos Kotsovinos
Transcript
Hello everybody , welcome to the fire science show , the experiments that will change the fire science , because the one we are covering today is a fairly recent advancement . The history will judge if it was a breakthrough or not in our understanding of compartment fires , but I got a good feeling on this one . It's a really , really impressive effort . My guest today is Dr Panos
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