An Analysis of Smoldering Fires in Closed Compartments and Their Hazard Due to Carbon Monoxide

摘要

A review was made of smoldering fire experiments conducted in closed room and buildings. The results were summarized by tabulating maximum levels of CO, the time integral of CO concentration (dose), CO2, temperature rise and oxygen consumption. A hazard timebased on the attainment of a CO dose equal to 4.5% CO-minutes and the time for transition to flaming were also tabulated. The likelihood of reaching a critical during smoldering seems to be comparable to the likelihood of having transition to flaming occur. A theoretical model, requiring inputs of CO production rate and energy release rate, was executed and compared with available data. The theoretical results for CO concentration as a function of time were in good agreement with the experimental data. The model offers a means of extrapolating test data to compartments of various size in order to assess the general hazard of CO due to smoldering.