Numerical simulations of full-scale enclosure fires in a multilevel library

In accordance with European policy, Italian regulations concerning building fire safety have been reformulated from prescriptive into performance-based rules. In this context field modeling based on Computational Fluid Dynamics methodology can potentially be applied to fire safety design in order to assess the performance of different designs and safety measures over a wide range of scenarios, so as to minimize the potential danger to life and property. In this work, a CFD code has been used to estimate the consequences of a fire occurring in a multilevel library. The evolution of gas temperatures, velocity field, radiative heat flux, gas and smoke concentrations has been predicted after the fire start. Simulation results have been evaluated with reference to tenability conditions along the evacuation paths in the building. Results have been also used to estimate the exposure to heat of the library ceilings and walls. © 2010 Taylor & Francis Group, London.