Performance analysis of a self-protection system for vehicles in case of WUI fire entrapment

We present the experimental performance analysis of a fire protection fabric for cars designed to protect people's life in case of fire entrapment. Two experimental burns were executed to simulate heat and smoke exposure conditions in case of vehicle entrapment in a rural road. For the first ex...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Pastor Ferrer, Elsa|||0000-0002-2985-3635, Agueda Costafreda, Alba|||0000-0001-5021-8014, Sebastià, Joan, Mata Miquel, Cristian|||0000-0003-4768-5062, Planas Cuchi, Eulàlia|||0000-0002-7053-3959
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2020
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/341005
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/341005
https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/fam.2836
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Fire prevention
Incendis -- Prevenció -- Aparells i accessoris
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria química
Descripción
Sumario:We present the experimental performance analysis of a fire protection fabric for cars designed to protect people's life in case of fire entrapment. Two experimental burns were executed to simulate heat and smoke exposure conditions in case of vehicle entrapment in a rural road. For the first experimental burn, a 2-m high fuel bed of pine slash was arranged in a 13¿m¿×¿6 m area. Fire was ignited at one end of the fuel bed and spread wind driven (3 m/s midflame wind speed). 2.8¿m away from the other fuel bed end, a car covered with the fabric was placed parallel to the fire. Data analysis provided values of fire behavior and flame characteristics, being typical of wildfires of moderate intensity (1800¿kW/m). Maximum air temperatures inside the vehicle ranged around 41°C to 42.5°C, providing evidence of the fabric's good performance. To evaluate the degree of protection against smoke, air change rates were estimated with and without the fabric covering the car. Also, an experimental burn similar to the previous one was executed to monitor CO2 and CO concentrations inside the car. Tenable conditions for these gases were maintained during the whole test according to reviewed exposure criteria.