SETG 4263 - 01

FIRE AND EXPLOSION SAFETY

CASE STUDY:
THE KITCHEN

LECTURER: Assoc Prof Dr Rafiziana Md. Kasmani

Group 5

NO NAME MATRIC NO.

1 MUHAMMAD SYAMIN BIN HARISSELI A19ET0161

2 RANJEET A/L V RAJAH A20ET0250

3 BALQIS MAWADDAH BINTI BAKHTYAR A20ET0029

4 LEE ZHENG YEE A20ET0105

NO CONTENT PAGE

1.0 INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………. 2

2.0 CASE STUDY………………………………………………………... 4

3.0 RESULT AND DISCUSSION………………………………….……. 7

4.0 CONCLUSION……………………………………………………….. 11

5.0 REFERENCE…………………………………………………………. 12

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

A zone model called CFAST is used to determine how temperature, smoke, and fire gases
will change during the course of a fire in a built-up area. Every compartment in CFAST is split
into two layers. In CFAST, a fire is used as a fuel source that is released at a predetermined rate.
As this fuel burns, it is changed into two different states: mass (the conversion factor is the yield
of a certain species) and enthalpy (the heat of combustion). If the enthalpy conversion is
dependent on the concentration of oxygen, a fire in CFAST is limited; otherwise, it is
unconstrained. Burning can occur in a door jet, the upper layer, or the section of the plume in the
lower layer, if any.

In an uncontrolled fire, it is expected that burning will take place inside the fire plume.
Burning will occur in areas with enough oxygen for a confined fire. Unburned fuel will move
into and burn in the upper layer of the fire compartment, the plume in the doorway to the next
compartment, the upper layer of the next compartment, the plume in the doorway to the third
compartment, and so on until it is consumed or reaches the outside when insufficient oxygen is
entrained into the fire plume.

Since vent flow is the most instantaneously enthalpy-transferring component of all the
source terms (apart from the fire and plume, of course) and is sensitive to even minute changes in
pressure, it plays a major role in any fire model. Its reliance on the pressure differential between
compartments, which is subject to sudden changes, makes it sensitive to changes in the
surrounding environment. Horizontal flow through vertical vents (ceiling holes, hatches, etc.)
and vertical flow through horizontal vents (doors, windows, etc.) are the two forms of vent flow
that CFAST models. When talking about fires, one typically thinks about horizontal flow. In two
very different contexts, vertical flow is especially crucial: on a ship, and when firefighters do
roof venting.

Gas layers use radiative and convective heat transfer to exchange energy with their
environment. Each compartment's walls, floor, and ceiling can have different material qualities
(but a compartment's walls must all have the same characteristics). Moreover, CFAST permits
the composition of up to three different materials on each surface. This makes it possible for the
user to handle the real building construction in a natural way. Although we know that material

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thermophysical qualities fluctuate with temperature, we nonetheless presume that they remain
constant. Since there is a lack of data, even for common materials, over the necessary
temperature range, this assumption has been made.

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2.0 CASE STUDY

CFAST Fire case study G5 - The Kitchen

Figure 1: The layout of the normal studio apartment.

The unit consists of the lounge, the kitchen, a bedroom and the entrance hallway. The sash
windows 1m by 1m in the lounge and bedroom are closed, however, a window in the kitchen was
propped open by 0.2m. The entrance hallway door connecting the lounge and kitchen (1m wide,
1.98m tall fitting in a 1m by 2m frame) was opened.

On the fine afternoon of 3rd January 2019, a fire started in the house. From the fire investigation,
a trash can located at a corner 1m away from the window was identified as the source of ignition
and the kitchen was classified as a fire room. In the lounge, the furniture includes soda,
three-wall mounted bookcases filled with paper items; two computer desks, each with a
computer and chair and located near the windows; one coffee table and two low tables with
paper stacks.

From the report, it said that the tenant tried to see how bad the fire was and crawled himself from

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the bedroom to the hallway to check the condition. However, the smoke thickened and made his
sight blurry. He couldn’t find the main door situated in the hallway to ask for help. Then, he
crawled back to the bedroom and tried to smash the window to escape after 90 seconds.

2nd Case

The sash window in the lounge is half open, however the entrance hallway door connecting the
lounge and kitchen are closed. All scenarios are the same.

It is provided the smoke view visual based on the following:

Dimension of the unit:

● The lounge 4m by 3m by 3m high

All units are built from:

● Ceiling 1/16 inch plain carbon steel

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2.1 Result of CFAST SmokeView Case Study

Figure 2: The studio apartment layout created by CFAST fire model

Figure 3: Case study situation 2 CFAST fire model

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3.0 DISCUSSION

1. Did he escape from the unit safely?

Based on the information provided, the tenant attempted to escape by crawling to the
hallway but faced difficulty due to thickening smoke, causing blurry vision. He then retreated to
the bedroom and attempted to escape by smashing the window after 90 seconds. He able safety
escaping from the fire scenario.

2. How long does it take for fires to fully develop ( flashover phase) in such a way that the
tenant could safely save himself out?

The time it takes for a fire to fully develop into the flashover phase can vary significantly
based on several factors, including the type and amount of available fuel, ventilation conditions,
room layout, and fire ignition source. Flashover occurs when the temperature in a room reaches a
critical point, causing all combustible materials to ignite almost simultaneously.

In the scenario where flashover occurs at the peak of 500 seconds (around 8 minutes and
20 seconds) after the fire begins, it suggests a relatively delayed flashover compared to many fire
incidents. Flashover at 500 seconds allows for a longer window of time for occupants, such as
the tenant, to safely evacuate the premises if they are able to detect the fire early and initiate
evacuation procedures promptly.

3. Did smashing the window reduce the heat release rate (HRR) of the fire?

Smashing a window during a fire can significantly impact the fire's behavior, but its
direct effect on the Heat Release Rate (HRR) is not straightforward. When a window is broken, it
introduces fresh oxygen into the burning area, potentially intensifying the fire temporarily by
supplying more fuel for combustion. This initial influx of oxygen can elevate the fire's intensity

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and HRR as the increased airflow fuels the burning process. However, the broken window alters
the ventilation dynamics within the room, affecting the movement of smoke, gases, and heat.
Depending on various factors such as external weather conditions, indoor-outdoor temperature
differences, and the size of the broken window, the alteration in ventilation could either escalate
or reduce the HRR. Moreover, the introduction of outside air might also have a cooling effect on
the fire, impacting the fire's intensity and HRR. Overall, the effect of smashing a window on
HRR during a fire is complex and influenced by multiple variables.

4. Provide graphs temperature, HRR and CO2/CO content v times.

Figure 4: CO2/CO Content vs Time Graph

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 Figure 5: HRR vs Time Graph

Figure 6 : Temperature vs Time Graph

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4.0 CONCLUSION

This case study offered a helpful reminder of the importance of preventative actions and
fire safety awareness. A number of significant findings from the case study investigation
emphasize the need for comprehensive safety protocols in residences similar to this one.

The trash can, which is identified as the ignition source, is one instance of a potentially
dangerous item. To avoid catastrophic consequences, it is essential that people utilize open
flames in confined spaces with prudence and appropriate attitude.

The walls and flooring made of concrete played a major role in the fire's spread
throughout the building. It is evident that the building's composition and design can influence
how quickly a fire spreads and is extinguished, even though these materials might offer some fire
resistance. Future advancements in better compartmentalization and fire-resistant materials could
reduce the amount of damage incurred in these kinds of incidents.

The procedures for evacuation and emergency response included advantages as well as
disadvantages. Well-marked escape routes, working fire alarms, and quick emergency services
response all contributed to fewer casualties. However, a more thorough fire safety education plan
that addresses the dangers of leaving a cigarette unattended could increase occupant readiness
and reaction.

The case study ends by emphasizing the need for an all-encompassing fire safety plan for
apartments that incorporates outreach and education initiatives in addition to building design and
material selection. By learning from the circumstances surrounding this tragedy, measures can be
implemented to enhance the safety and well-being of individuals living in similar conditions,
hence reducing the likelihood of catastrophes such as this one occurring in the future.

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5.0 REFERENCE

Hoover, J., & Tatem, P. (2000). Application of CFAST to Shipboard Fire Modeling I.
Development of the Fire Specification 20000710 062.
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA379167.pdf
Janssens, M. (n.d.). The author(s) shown below used Federal funding provided by the U.S.
Department of Justice to prepare the following resource: Document Title:
Development of CFAST Based Fire Simulation Toolkit for Fire Investigators
Author(s). Retrieved November 14, 2023, from
https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/304761.pdf
Jones, W., Peacock, R., Forney, G., & Reneke, P. (n.d.). Verification and Validation of
CFAST, A Model of Fire Growth and Smoke Spread NISTIR 7080. Retrieved
November 14, 2023, from
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-C13-cda7dae1b043bfc685509e5be
07328af/pdf/GOVPUB-C13-cda7dae1b043bfc685509e5be07328af.pdf

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