On the self-extinction time of pool fire in closed compartments

The self-extinction time of pool fires in closed compartments was studied. Experiments were conducted in two bench-scale compartments with volumes of 0.75 m³ and 17.55 m³. It was found that the fire self-extinction time was proportional to the compartment volume but inversed to the pool area for n-heptane. The fuel mass loss rate in closed compartments was lower than that in the open space. The fire self-extinction occurred when the local oxygen mole fraction in the flame vicinity descended to a level of 10.7-15.3%. The mean remaining oxygen mole fraction at the self-extinction moment was about 14.1%. Based on the mass conservation of the oxygen, a model for predicting the self-extinction time of pool fires in closed compartments was developed. By defining a concept of the dimensionless fire volume, the dimensionless self-extinction time was proposed. The dimensionless self-extinction time is proportional to the difference between the initial and remaining oxygen mass fraction, fuel properties, such as heat of combustion and stoichiometric ratio etc., but inverses to the dimensionless fire volume and the integrated combustion coefficient. The predicted results showed a good agreement with the experimental results. The model also provides a good prediction for the results of NRL's tests. © 2013 International Association for Fire Safety Science.