Station Nightclub Fire

[ProfRino]

Dear community,

I have been trying to re-simulate the FDS4 simulation of the Station Nightclub Fire. I used the code from the reports and ran it on FDS4.07. The issue that I faced is that my HRR is not aligned with the one published in the report

I have been trying to convert the code to run in FDS6. By tuning the parameter MAX_REACTION_RATE and HEAT_OF_REACTION, I either have a fire that does not ignite or the HRR goes nuts, creating instability.

Reports
https://www.nist.gov/publications/report-technical-investigation-station-nightclub-fire-nist-ncstar-2-volume-1
https://www.nist.gov/publications/report-technical-investigation-station-nightclub-fire-appendices-nist-ncstar-2-volume-2

Anyone keen to help?
I am attaching the FDS4 to start with
Station210_clean.txt

Thanks
Rino

[drjfloyd]

MAX_REACTION_RATE is not an input in the current release. The closest equivalent to the v4 inputs would be the pair of REFERENCE_RATE and REFERENCE_TEMPERATURE. REFERENCE_TEMPERATURE is not the same as TMPIGN; it is a larger value. TMPIGN is where burning begins and the REFERENCE_TEMPERATURE is the temperature for the REFERENCE_RATE which at the peak burning rate. The width of that peak is given by PYROLYSIS_RANGE which defaults to 80 C. You may want to try REFERENCE_RATE=0.008 and REFERENCE_TEMPERATURE = 410 (370 + 80/2).

Before trying the full nightclub I would recommend trying to model the cone tests (data in the appendices) and the foam covered wall. Do your input tuning with the simple cases.

[ProfRino]

Thanks for the suggestions. Appreciate your time on this

[mcgratta]

I vaguely remember when I set up these cases twenty years ago, the extremely low nominal value of the thermal conductivity of the wall lining foam led to erratic heat release rates and unrealistic spread rates. You might want to use something like S-pyro or even a fixed HRRPUA and IGNITION_TEMPERATURE to get started. The other complication is that this foam probably melted and dripped, leading to its extremely rapid spread.

I think that the recent fire in Switzerland (?) was very similar to the Station Nightclub Fire because of this foam insulation being attached to walls and ceiling. Not a good idea.

[ProfRino]

Thanks Kevin, I'll give it a try. I'll need to do more study
I am not entirely sure about the foam in the Switzerland fire. I am waiting for the investigation results before attempting any simulation of that case.