What happened: This case involved a furniture fire in an apartment. There was some concern as to the performance of the fire detection equipment in the apartment.

Our investigation: Using computer modelling along with other forensic methods, dfa engineers were able to demonstrate that the smoke detector activated and alerted the occupant to the fire.

In the presented animation (please see below), increasing object temperatures are first represented by green, then yellow then orange. As the fire progresses, we can see that the radiant heat from the sofa fire ignites the nearby loveseat. The evidence found at the scene and the witness accounts are entirely consistent with the model predictions.

Our conclusion: This analysis found that the occupant was most likely alerted to the fire by the smoke detector, indicating that the fire detection equipment in the apartment was working at the time of the fire.

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What happened: In this case, a fire occurred inside a chimney chase. It had been suggested that a missing cleanout cap had an effect on the flow of the hot flue gases.

Our investigation: Using computer modelling along with other forensic methods, dfa engineers were able to demonstrate that the flue gases would not escape through the chimney cleanout.

In the first animation (see below), increasing flue gas velocities are first represented by green, then yellow, then orange. As the flow of the flue gases approaches steady state, we can see that fresh air from within the chimney chase is entrained up into the chimney. In the second animation, increasing temperatures are first represented by green, then yellow then orange. As the flow of the flue gases approaches a steady state, we can see that the gases do not exit the cleanout.

Our conclusion: The model predictions, in conjunction with a sound engineering analysis, allowed dfa engineers to reject a hypothesis that a fire was ignited from hot flue gases escaping into the chimney chase via a missing cleanout cap.

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What happened: This case involves a theoretical fire at a vendor site located along the concourse of a large stadium. The intent is to use computer simulations to determine the behaviour of the smoke.

Our investigation: dfa's expertise was required once again to develop a computer simulation of the fire. The purpose of the model was to predict and assess the effect of the smoke travel and accumulation in the concourse resulting from a specified fire.

The presented animation (see below) shows the interface of the smoke layer produced by a typical kitchen grease fire. Once the smoke fills the vendor site, we can see that the smoke spreads up and out into the concourse.

Our conclusions: The model predictions can be used to assess detection equipment location and effectiveness, to assess the effect of the smoke on the evacuation of the building occupants, and to assess the effectiveness of smoke removal equipment.

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