Develop efficient material pyrolysis model to improve fire growth predictions using the NIST computational tool fire dynamics simulator (FDS) to enhance fire safety

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded a $100,000 Project Grant (CFDA 11.609 - Measurement Science and Engineering Research Grant Programs) to Jensen Hughes Inc. to develop an improved computational fire modeling tool using the NIST Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). The key activities include:

1. Implementing an improved simplified scaling-based pyrolysis model in the NIST FDS to enhance fire growth predictions.
2. Conducting and documenting heat transfer experiments for full-scale model validation.
3. Evaluating approaches to adapt the scaling-based pyrolysis model for variable material thicknesses.
4. Integrating simplified reference heat flux calculations into the FDS tool.

The expected outcome is an improved computational fire modeling capability that can be used by the fire protection community to enhance building fire safety and public safety. The award period is from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. There are no subrecipients identified for this grant.

Purpose

The purpose of this grant is to develop efficient material pyrolysis model to improve fire growth predictions using the NIST computational tool fire dynamics simulator (FDS) to enhance fire safety.

Activities

The following activities will be performed. First, an improved simplified scaling-based pyrolysis model, previously developed by the PI, will be implemented in the NIST FDS. Second, heat transfer apportionment experiments will be conducted, documented, and expanded for full-scale validation basis. Third, various approaches to adapt scaling-pyrolysis model for variable material thickness will be evaluated. Finally, simplified reference heat flux calculations will be integrated in FDS.

Expected outcomes

The expected outcome is an improved computational tool, and the approach used in this work can generally be extended and applicable to other computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models using similar frameworks.

Intended beneficiaries

Fire protection community would benefit from the modified computational tool that could be used to improve building fire protection to enhance public safety.

Subrecipient activities

There is no subrecipient in this grant.