Numerical Simulation of Marina Storage Fires Using Measured Composite Fire and Thermal Properties

Fire test data of boats in rack storage are needed to establish more specific requirements for fire control and protection for this type of vessel in high piled rack storage configurations. Since there is no current large or full scale fire test data available, we have embarked upon testing fire and thermal properties of boat material, fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite, by using Differential Scanning Calorimetry, and Cone Calorimeter in order to determine the most effective method to provide sprinkler protection to an indoor boat storage facility. Fire and thermal properties of FRP were obtained from experiments and incorporated into the fire dynamics simulator (FDS) model, to simulate fire growth, fire spread, and the capability of the sprinkler system on fire control in a proposed indoor marina dry boat storage facility in Florida. The simulations indicated that in-rack sprinklers, combined with high water density ceiling sprinkler systems, are important to control fire spread in the storage warehouse. Understanding material properties and incorporating them appropriately into the FDS model could help us better understand fire growth in a marina dry storage facility, and enhance fire safety design.