ABSTRACT

Unlike the temperature-time response in a furnace test that is imposed by the standard to which the test is carried out, the temperature-time response in a re compartment is a function of compartment size, type of compartment, available combustible material, and air supply available for combustion. This situation is often designated a natural or real fire (the former term is preferred here, although EN 1991-1-2 uses parametric fire), and the heat it generates may be calculated from basic principles. However, attempts have been made to represent the solution to the natural compartment temperature-time response by empirical curves; one such is given in EN 1991-1-2.