Influence of the algorithm of interaction of automatic extinguishing systems and heat and smoke vents on the time of blocking emergency exits and the efficiency of fire localization in high-rack storage warehouses
Purpose. On the basis of numerical modeling of fire to determine the optimal algorithm of the interaction of automatic extinguishing systems and heat and smoke vents in terms of blocking the emergency exits and the efficiency of fire localization in the high-rack storage warehouse. Methods. In the work theoretical research methods (analysis, synthesis, comparison) are applied, as well as numerical modeling is carried out in the computational software package Fire Dynamics Simulator. Findings. The numerical modeling of fire in the high-rack storage warehouse with dimensions of 60×50×14 m and a storage height of fire load of 12.5 m was carried out. In the result of the modeling, the optimal algorithm of the interaction of automatic extinguishing systems and heat and smoke vents in terms of blocking emergency exits and the efficiency of fire localization was determined: sprinklers are placed only in the space inside the rack, while the heat and smoke vent are triggered by a signal from the automatic extinguishing system. This protection scheme allows localizing the fire site without spreading to neighboring racks and keeping its power at a minimum level. Moreover, it allows increasing the time of blocking by products of combustion and thermal decomposition in the horizontal plane of the room at a height of 1.7 m the emergency exits on average 1.3 times and an evacuation exit by 1.7-2.9 times in comparison with other algorithms of interaction of the automatic extinguishing systems and heat and smoke vents. Application field of research. The results can be used to determine the algorithms of the interaction of the automatic fire safety systems for protecting the high-rack storage warehouses.