A method to study ignition of inverted combustible surfaces

As timber is combustible, the inherent fuel load of a mass or engineered timber structure can significantly impact compartment fire dynamics compared to a non-combustible structure. Recently, large-scale open-plan testing reaffirmed these phenomena in compartments with exposed timber, with a rapid t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of physics. Conference series 2024-11, Vol.2885 (1), p.012008
Main Authors: Madden, Joshua, Kriel, Machelle, Wiesner, Felix, Wu, Wenxuan, Hilditch, Ryan, Ervine, Adam, Lange, David
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Dynamic structural analysis
Horizontal orientation
Ignition
Wood laminates
Wooden structures
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:As timber is combustible, the inherent fuel load of a mass or engineered timber structure can significantly impact compartment fire dynamics compared to a non-combustible structure. Recently, large-scale open-plan testing reaffirmed these phenomena in compartments with exposed timber, with a rapid transition to fully developed fire following the ignition of the exposed timber ceiling. However, no standardised approaches have been developed to investigate this phenomenon at a bench-scale inverted (i.e. downward-facing) orientation. A method to study the ignition of inverted combustible surfaces is proposed whereby the Fire Propagation Apparatus (FPA) is modified to permit testing at this inverted orientation. Results for this comparative piloted ignition study for a conventional horizontal orientation and an inverted orientation indicate proof of the applicability of the methodology whereby the times to ignition of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) were higher for the inverted orientation, compared to a horizontal orientation, demonstrating the suitability of the methodology.
ISSN:1742-6588
1742-6596
DOI:10.1088/1742-6596/2885/1/012008