Detailed description of the flow fields induced by a fire in a mechanically-ventilated compartment obtained using PIV

This study analyses the performance of non-intrusive PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry) for the study of flows induced during a fire scenario in a mechanically-ventilated enclosure. PIV can be used to obtain detailed measurements for velocity fields in the enclosure and thus offer new experimental data for the understanding of the physical phenomena involved as well as to validate CFD simulation tools. The study is carried out on a reduced scale on an ethanol pool fire positioned in a ventilated enclosure. Several areas of interest are studied such as interaction between the fire plume and the ceiling, the flow under the ceiling and parietal flows. These zones can be analysed to obtain a picture of the global mean flow and associated velocity fields rarely reported in the literature. The influence of the fire heat release rate on the velocity fields is studied and highlights the design parameters.