An Experimental Study on the Fire Spread Rate and Separation Distance between Facing Stores in Passage-Type Traditional Markets

Abstract

Real-scale fire experiments were conducted to understand the fire spread characteristics of the major combustibles handled in traditional markets, a space with high fire risk. The major combustibles were selected through field surveys administered at a number of traditional markets. Through real-scale fire experiments, the horizontal fire spread rate according to the maximum heat release rate of major combustibles was examined. In addition, the separation distance to prevent fire spread to the facing store by radiant heat transfer was examined. As a result of the experiments, it was confirmed that the arrangement method of the combustibles causes a large change in the maximum heat release rate, fire growth rate, and fire spread rate. The horizontal fire spread rate showed a linear proportional relationship with respect to the maximum heat release rate regardless of the type of combustibles, and a correlation to define the relationship was proposed. A correlation equation for predicting the separation distance that can prevent fire spread by radiant heat transfer was proposed, and the curve by the correlation equation was in good agreement with the experimental results. Through this study, it is expected that the correlation proposed to examine the horizontal fire spread rate and the separation distance of major combustibles in a traditional market can be usefully used in the design of fire protection systems to reduce fire damage in the traditional market.

Guidelines on Unused Open Spaces between Buildings for Sustainable Urban Management

“…Cicione et al [4] also experimented on unauthorized squatter settlements from a similar perspective, and Yun et al [8] did so similarly on traditional markets, discovering that setback distance is the most important factor in minimizing the spread of fires. Nishio et al [3] tested horizontal fire spread to prevent their spread in high-density residential areas in Japan.…”

“…Structurally speaking, establishing facilities within side setback areas may increase the risk of fires spreading, as the buildings on both sides may become close and connected. In other words, in terms of health management by securing sunshine and fire safety, which is the basis for policy on creating side setback areas, the establishment of other facilities within side setback areas can be considered a risk factor [8].…”