ABSTRACT
In this paper, two mathematical models are compared regarding their predictive ability to perform fire hazard analysis connected with smoke and toxic gases diffusion. After a classification of the computer programs used to estimate fire and smoke behaviour into buildings, the attention is turned on differentiation between two types of models: the “transient” models which are able to describe in detail fire behaviour and the “steady state” models, less detailed but easier to use. For instance, the “transient” models provide the temperature profile in the fire origin room, while the “steady state” models need this profile as an input.
In this work a comparison of the results obtained with three computer programs which simulate smoke movement represent the building with a uni-dimensional fluid network is exposed. The parameters varied in this study are the wind effect on the external facades of the building, the thermal gradients between the nodes of the network and finally the type of building examined.
The “steady state” models are expected to be used more frequently owing to their simplicity while the “transient” ones analyse in particular the event. This paper focuses on application limits of both models.
