Full-scale Experiments To Investigate The Use Of A Water Curtain Over Openings To Prevent Fire Spread To Adjacent Properties

This thesis presents the results of several full-scale experiments to study heat radiation attenuation and shielding using sprinklers to create a water curtain between a compartment fire and a target wall. This work builds on the idea that water absorbs and scatters heat radiation and applies it as a shielding mechanism, which can be used to protect personnel and property exposed to an opening during a compartment fire. The purpose of the study is to determine how effective the water curtain created using sprinkler heads will be at attenuating the heat flux from flames exiting a compartment fire, shielding the target wall and preventing fire spread. The results show how the water spray reduces heat flux to the target wall and it allows decreasing the distance of a building from the property line.