Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

The role of water sprinklers and water mist systems in prevention of flashover development in compartment fires is investigated by an analytical zone model approach. A heat balance equation for the upper hot smoke layer is analysed using the techniques of the thermal explosion theory. Two limiting cases of non-evaporation and complete evaporation are considered. An analytical model is developed to represent droplet motion and heat loss from hot layer of combustion products to non-evaporating water spray. The critical water application rate required to prevent flashover development is found as a function of spray and fire characteristics.