The Coupling Effect of Side Wind and Side Wall on the Propagation Behavior of Facade Flames and the Temperature Distribution of PE/Metal Sandwich Panels

While polyethylene (PE)/metal sandwich panels are widely used for thermal insulation and aesthetic purposes, they are a fire hazard. To study the coupling effect of side wind and side wall on the propagation behavior of an open compartment fire, as well as on the temperature distribution of PE/metal sandwich panels, a series of experiments were carried out via a scaled-down building model. The results show that wind speed and the ratio of side wall width (${D_w}$Dw) to side wall distance (${D_d}$Dd) significantly affect side wind and side wall coupling. Under the condition of a certain side wind speed, the flame height becomes close to that under the no-wind condition with the increase of ${D_w}/{D_d}$Dw/Dd. When ${D_w}/{D_d}$Dw/Dd is determined, with the increase of the wind speed, the flame height decreases while the horizontal extension distance increases. A nondimensional correlation model based on the side wall width, the side wall distance, and the side wind speed is proposed to predict the height and the horizontal extension distance of the flame under different conditions, and the experimental results are adequately verified. The results of this study provide theoretical guidance for the safe design of PE/metal sandwich panels.