Experimental study of window-ejected flame and plume on glass curtain walls

Tianjin Fire Research Institute of the MPS Tianjin, 300381, China

Abstract

This research presents an experimental study to investigate the performance of glass curtain walls exposed to exterior flame and plume ejected from windows. A test facility with 3-storey in height was constructed using steel frame to perform full-scale tests. Ventilation-controlled fire scenarios were designed to generate exterior flame and plume ejected from the burning room through a window opening. To characterize potential threats from window-ejected flame and plume to the glass curtain walls of upper floors, temperature, heat flux and air velocity at different heights above the opening upon curtain walls were measured during each test. The effects of window aspect ratio, horizontal projection were studied. It was found that the window with large aspect ratio provided more severe threat to the curtain walls on upper floors. A horizontal projection of 0.5m in depth was able to protect the glass on the upper floor from breaking.