Thermal Radiation from a Moving Cable Fire Along the Cable Tray in a Full-Size Corridor

Abstract

Cable flames spreading along a long cable tray can be described as a ‘travelling fire’. The effect of flame movement on the thermal flux from the fire towards a target has not been systematically investigated. In this study, fire experiments were conducted on a moving flame at different velocities. A quantitative fire power of gas burner was moved for simulating the moving fire, which allowed the investigation focused on the movement effect of fire source on the thermal flux. The thermal radiative flux and total heat flux were recorded during the flame movement. According to the experimental results, the movement of the fire source did not cause a significant convective heat flux from the flame towards the target. Thermal radiative flux was dominant in the moving flame. Subsequently, based on a comparison with the model prediction and experimental data. The solid flame model provided the closest prediction and highest accuracy in estimating the maximum radiative flux from the moving flame. This model is suitable for quantifying fire risk estimation of a moving fire.