Experimental investigation of firebrands: Generation and ignition of fuel beds

Manzello, Samuel L.; Cleary, Thomas G.; Shields, John R.; Maranghides, Alexander; Mell, William E.; Yang, Jiann C.

doi:10.1016/j.firesaf.2006.06.010

Cited by 109 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Firebrand generation is the process through which natural fuels are broken into smaller burning pieces during a fire and lofted by a buoyant fire-induced plume or powerlines interact generating molten metal particles. Yoshioka et al [12] and Manzello et al [7,13] have characterized the number and size distribution of brands generated by different fuels. Firebrands generated by a single Douglas Fir can range in size from $200 mm to $10 mm in diameter.…”

Section: Firebrand/particle Generation and Transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This complex process depends on several factors, including the size and state of the brand or particle (temperature, smoldering/ glowing, flaming), the characteristics of the fuel bed on which it lands (temperature, density, porosity, moisture content), and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, wind velocity). Ignition of fuel beds by fire brands and heated surfaces has been studied primarily experimentally, in particular by workers at NIST [4][5][6][7]. Studies on ignition by metal particles have been reported by Rowntree and Stokes [2,3].…”

Section: Spot Fire Formation: Ignition (Or Non-ignition) Of Fuel Bedsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Using single glowing embers of Douglas Fir (5 mm or 10 mm diameter, 51 mm and 76 mm length, respectively) under air flow of 0.5 m/s or 1 m/s, Manzello et al [7] found that smoldering ignition would occur in shredded paper but no ignition would occur in pine needles or hardwoods. For flaming embers under the same conditions, flaming ignition would occur in all fuels except hardwood mulch at 11% moisture content.…”

Section: Spot Fire Formation: Ignition (Or Non-ignition) Of Fuel Bedsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Only a few studies have examined the critical conditions that can lead to fire initiation after the landing of a firebrand or particle on a particular fuel bed. These studies are primarily experimental in nature [2][3][4][5][6][7][8], and no comprehensive theoretical studies have yet been conducted to analyze the problem or develop generalized predictive tools. Consequently, previous models of wildland fire propagation [9][10][11] have limited capabilities to predict the initiation of spot fires.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ignition of Combustible Fuel Beds by Hot Particles: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

et al. 2010

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Abstract. The process of spotting occurs in wildland fires when fire-lofted embers or hot particles land downwind, leading to ignition of new, discrete fires. This common mechanism of wildland fire propagation can result in rapid spread of the fire, potentially causing property damage and increased risk to life safety of both fire fighters and civilians. Despite the increasing frequency and losses in wildland fires, there has been relatively little research on ignition of fuel beds by embers and hot particles. In this work, an experimental and theoretical study of ignition of homogeneous cellulose fuel beds by hot metal particles is undertaken. This type of well-characterized laboratory fuel provides a more controllable fuel bed than natural fuels, and the use of hot metal particles simplifies interpretation of the experiments by reducing uncertainty due to unknown effects of the ember combustion reaction. Spherical steel particles with diameters in the range from 0.8 mm to 19.1 mm heated to temperatures between 500°C and 1300°C are used in the experiments. A relationship between the size of the particle and temperature required for flaming or smoldering ignition is found. These results are used to assess a simplified analysis based on hot-spot ignition theory to determine the particle size-temperature relationship required for ignition of a cellulose fuel bed.

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Section: Firebrand/particle Generation and Transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Spot Fire Formation: Ignition (Or Non-ignition) Of Fuel Bedsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Spot Fire Formation: Ignition (Or Non-ignition) Of Fuel Bedsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ignition of Combustible Fuel Beds by Hot Particles: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

et al. 2010

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“…Regarding ornamental vegetation, Long et al (2006a) provided flammability data for horticultural beds by evaluating the effect of the type of mulch, planting composition and drought conditions on fire spread and heat release in both field and controlledenvironment conditions. Several experiments were carried out on firebrands but very few used surface fuels (Manzello et al 2006a(Manzello et al , 2006b(Manzello et al , 2007(Manzello et al , 2008(Manzello et al , 2009Ganteaume et al 2011b). …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the flammability of surface fuels beneath ornamental vegetation in wildland–urban interfaces in Provence (south-eastern France)

Ganteaume¹,

Jappiot²,

Lampin³

2013

Int. J. Wildland Fire

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The objectives of this paper are to assess in laboratory conditions the flammability of undisturbed litter sampled beneath plants of seven species that are among those most frequently planted in hedges in Provence (south-eastern France). The variability in litter flammability recorded during burning experiments was partly explained by the proportions of the different litter components of each species. Phyllostachys sp. and Nerium oleander litters were the quickest to ignite whereas Prunus laurocerasus litter had the lowest bulk density and long time-to-ignition, but high flame-propagation. Photinia fraseri litter ignited frequently and had a high flame spread whereas Pittosporum tobira litter ignited the least frequently and for the shortest duration. Cupressus sempervirens litter had the highest bulk density and the longest flaming duration but the lowest flame propagation. Pyracantha coccinea litter was the slowest to ignite and flame propagation was low but lasted a long time. Co-inertia analysis identified species with the same flammability characteristics according to the composition of their litter. Hierarchical cluster analysis ranked the seven species in four distinct clusters from the most flammable (Photinia fraseri and Prunus laurocerasus) to the least flammable (Pittosporum tobira), the other species displaying two groups of intermediate flammability. These latter species should not be used in hedges planted in wildland–urban interfaces in south-eastern France.

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References

2011

An Introduction to Fire Dynamics

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Experimental investigation of firebrands: Generation and ignition of fuel beds

Cited by 109 publications

References 9 publications

Ignition of Combustible Fuel Beds by Hot Particles: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

Ignition of Combustible Fuel Beds by Hot Particles: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

Assessing the flammability of surface fuels beneath ornamental vegetation in wildland–urban interfaces in Provence (south-eastern France)

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