NISTIR 7342 

Full-Scale Evaluation of Positive Pressure Ventilation 

In a Fire Fighter Training Building 

Stephen Kerber 

William D. Walton 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

Technology Administration 

Building and Fire Research Laboratory 

National Institute of Standards 

And Technology 

Gaithersburg, MD 20899 

 - - iii

NISTIR 7342 

Full-Scale Evaluation of Positive Pressure 

Ventilation in a Fire Fighter Training Building 

Stephen Kerber 

William D. Walton 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

Technology Administration 

Building and Fire Research Laboratory 

National Institute of Standards 

And Technology 

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

July 2006 

Department of Homeland Security 

Michael Chertoff, Secretary 

Preparedness Directorate 

George W. Foresman, Under Secretary 

 for Preparedness

United States Fire Administration 

Charlie Dickinson, Acting Administrator

U.S. Department of Commerce

Carolos M. Gutierrez, Secretary

Technology Administration

Robert Cresanti, Under Secretary

Of Commerce for Technology

National Institute of Standards and 

Technology

William Jeffery, Director
iii

Table of Contents 

Table of Contents...............................................................................................................iii 

List of Tables .....................................................................................................................iii 

List of Figures.................................................................................................................... iv 

Abstract.............................................................................................................................. 1

1.0 Introduction................................................................................................................ 2 

2.0 Overview of Experimental Series............................................................................. 3 

2.1 Instrumentation ........................................................................................................ 8 

2.2 Fuel Load ............................................................................................................... 15

2.3 Experimental Procedure......................................................................................... 18 

3.0 Training Structure Experiment Results................................................................ 19 

3.1 Configuration 1 (Tests 2, 3)................................................................................... 21 

3.2 Configuration 2 (Tests 4, 5)................................................................................... 23 

3.3 Configuration 3 (Tests 7, 8)................................................................................... 25 

3.4 Configuration 4 (Tests 9, 10)................................................................................. 26 

3.5 Configuration 5 (Tests 11, 12)............................................................................... 28 

3.6 Configuration 6 (Tests 13, 14)............................................................................... 30 

3.7 Configuration 7 (Tests 16, 17)............................................................................... 32 

3.8 Configuration 8 (Tests 18, 19)............................................................................... 34 

3.9 Configuration 9 (Tests 20, 21)............................................................................... 36 

3.10 Configuration 10 (Tests 22, 23)........................................................................... 38 

3.11 Configuration 11 (Tests 24, 25)........................................................................... 40 

3.12 Configuration 12 (Tests 26, 27)........................................................................... 42 

3.13 Configuration 13 (Tests 28, 29)........................................................................... 44 

3.14 Configuration 14 (Tests 30, 31)........................................................................... 46 

4.0 Comparison of Correct and Incorrect Ventilation Scenarios.............................. 47 

4.1 Configurations 1 and 12, Fire Room (R23) ........................................................... 48 

4.2 Configurations 8 and 3/6, Fire Room (R11) .......................................................... 48 

4.3 Configurations 9 and 5, Fire Room (R24) ............................................................. 49 

4.4 Configurations 11 and 4, Fire Room (R22) ........................................................... 49 

4.5 Configurations 13 and 2, Fire Room (R21) ........................................................... 49 

5.0 Uncertainty ............................................................................................................... 50 

6.0 Conclusions............................................................................................................... 52 

7.0 References................................................................................................................. 55 

8.0 Acknowledgments.................................................................................................... 56 

List of Tables 

Table 1. Experimental Matrix............................................................................................ 7 

Table 2. Average Environmental Conditions................................................................... 14 

Table 3. Leakage Test Results ......................................................................................... 15 

Table 4. Experimental Timeline ...................................................................................... 18 

Table 5. Temperature and Oxygen Concentration Summary .......................................... 19 

Table 6. Uncertainty......................................................................................................... 51 
iv

List of Figures 

Figure 1. The Cone of Air and How PPV Works .............................................................. 2 

Figure 2. Front of Fire Fighter Training Burn Building .................................................... 4 

Figure 3. Rear of Fire Fighter Training Burn Building ..................................................... 4 

Figure 4. Door D3 Sealed with Wood Frame and Insulation ............................................ 5 

Figure 5. First Floor Experimental Layout ........................................................................ 5 

Figure 6. Second Floor Experimental Layout.................................................................... 6 

Figure 7. Third Floor Experimental Layout....................................................................... 6 

Figure 8. PPV Fan Positioned in Front of Building........................................................... 7 

Figure 9. First Floor Dimensions and Instrumentation...................................................... 9 

Figure 10. Second Floor Dimensions and Instrumentation ............................................... 9 

Figure 11. Third Floor Dimensions and Instrumentation ................................................ 10 

Figure 12. Doorway and Passageway Instrumentation and High Temperature Panels ... 11 

Figure 13. Window Instrumentation................................................................................ 11 

Figure 14. Bidirectional Probe......................................................................................... 13 

Figure 15. Bidirectional Probe and Thermocouple Combination.................................... 13 

Figure 16. Pallet Test at Maximum Heat Release Rate ................................................... 16 

Figure 17. Heat Release Rates Versus Time for Pallet Tests .......................................... 17 

Figure 18. Pallets and Hay............................................................................................... 17 

Figure 19. Configuration Symbol Key............................................................................. 21 

Figure 20. Configuration 1 Layout .................................................................................. 21 

Figure 21. Configuration 2 Layout .................................................................................. 23 

Figure 22. Configuration 3 Layout .................................................................................. 25 

Figure 23. Configuration 4 Layout .................................................................................. 27 

Figure 24. Configuration 5 Layout .................................................................................. 29 

Figure 25. Configuration 6 Layout .................................................................................. 31 

Figure 26. Configuration 7 Layout .................................................................................. 33 

Figure 27. Configuration 8 Layout .................................................................................. 35 

Figure 28. Configuration 9 Layout .................................................................................. 37 

Figure 29. Configuration 10 Layout ................................................................................ 39 

Figure 30 Configuration 11 Layout ................................................................................. 40 

Figure 31. Configuration 12 Layout ................................................................................ 42 

Figure 32. Configuration 13 Layout ................................................................................ 44 

Figure 33. Configuration 14 Layout ................................................................................ 46 

Figure 34. Pressure Transducer Implementation ............................................................. 56 

Figure 35. Window after Ventilation............................................................................... 56 

Figure 36. Room R23 Well Involved After Ventilation .................................................. 56 

Figure A-1. Test 2, 3 Maximum Temperatures ................................................................57 

Figure A-2. Test 4, 5 Maximum Temperatures ................................................................57 

Figure A-3. Test 7, 8 Maximum Temperatures ................................................................57 

Figure A-4. Test 9, 10 Maximum Temperatures ..............................................................57 

Figure A-5. Test 11, 12 Maximum Temperatures ............................................................57 

Figure A-6. Test 13, 14 Maximum Temperatures ............................................................57 

Figure A-7. Test 16, 17 Maximum Temperatures ............................................................57 

Figure A-8. Test 18, 19 Maximum Temperatures ............................................................57 

Figure A-9. Test 20, 21 Maximum Temperatures ............................................................58 

Figure A-10. Test 22, 23 Maximum Temperatures ..........................................................58 

Figure A-11. Test 24, 25 Maximum Temperatures ..........................................................58 
v

Figure A-12. Test 26, 27 Maximum Temperatures ..........................................................58 

Figure A-13. Test 28, 29 Maximum Temperatures ..........................................................58 

Figure A-14. Test 30, 31 Maximum Temperatures ..........................................................58 

Figure A-15. Test 2, 3 Maximum Temperatures at 0.61m ...............................................59 

Figure A-16. Test 4, 5 Maximum Temperatures at 0.61m ...............................................59 

Figure A-17. Test 7, 8 Maximum Temperatures at 0.61m ...............................................59 

Figure A-18. Test 9, 10 Maximum Temperatures at 0.61m .............................................59 

Figure A-19. Test 11, 12 Maximum Temperatures at 0.61m ...........................................59 

Figure A-20. Test 13, 14 Maximum Temperatures at 0.61m ...........................................59 

Figure A-21. Test 16, 17 Maximum Temperatures at 0.61m ...........................................59 

Figure A-22. Test 18, 19 Maximum Temperatures at 0.61m ...........................................59 

Figure A-23. Test 20, 21 Maximum Temperatures at 0.61m ...........................................60 

Figure A-24. Test 22, 23 Maximum Temperatures at 0.61m ...........................................60 

Figure A-25. Test 24, 25 Maximum Temperatures at 0.61m ...........................................60 

Figure A-26. Test 26, 27 Maximum Temperatures at 0.61m ...........................................60 

Figure A-27. Test 28, 29 Maximum Temperatures at 0.61m ...........................................60 

Figure A-28. Test 30, 31 Maximum Temperatures at 0.61m ...........................................60 

Figure A-29. Test 2, 3 Maximum Temperatures at 1.22m ...............................................61 

Figure A-30. Test 4, 5 Maximum Temperatures at 1.22m ...............................................61 

Figure A-31. Test 7, 8 Maximum Temperatures at 1.22m ...............................................61 

Figure A-32. Test 9, 10 Maximum Temperatures at 1.22m .............................................61 

Figure A-33. Test 11, 12 Maximum Temperatures at 1.22m ...........................................61 

Figure A-34. Test 13, 14 Maximum Temperatures at 1.22m ...........................................61 

Figure A-35. Test 16, 17 Maximum Temperatures at 1.22m ...........................................61 

Figure A-36. Test 18, 19 Maximum Temperatures at 1.22m ...........................................61 

Figure A-37. Test 20, 21 Maximum Temperatures at 1.22m ...........................................62 

Figure A-38. Test 22, 23 Maximum Temperatures at 1.22m ...........................................62 

Figure A-39. Test 24, 25 Maximum Temperatures at 1.22m ...........................................62 

Figure A-40. Test 26, 27 Maximum Temperatures at 1.22m ...........................................62 

Figure A-41. Test 28, 29 Maximum Temperatures at 1.22m ...........................................62 

Figure A-42. Test 30, 31 Maximum Temperatures at 1.22m ...........................................62 

Figure A-43. Test 2 Temperature......................................................................................63 

Figure A-44. Test 3 Temperature......................................................................................63 

Figure A-45. Test 4 Temperature......................................................................................63 

Figure A-46. Test 5 Temperature......................................................................................63 

Figure A-47. Test 7 Temperature......................................................................................63 

Figure A-48. Test 8 Temperature......................................................................................63 

Figure A-49. Test 9 Temperature......................................................................................63 

Figure A-50. Test 10 Temperature....................................................................................63 

Figure A-51. Test 11 Temperature....................................................................................64 

Figure A-52. Test 12 Temperature....................................................................................64 

Figure A-53. Test 13 Temperature....................................................................................64 

Figure A-54. Test 14 Temperature....................................................................................64 

Figure A-55. Test 16 Temperature....................................................................................64 

Figure A-56. Test 17 Temperature....................................................................................64 

Figure A-57. Test 18 Temperature....................................................................................64 

Figure A-58. Test 19 Temperature....................................................................................64 

Figure A-59. Test 20 Temperature....................................................................................65 

Figure A-60. Test 21 Temperature....................................................................................65 

Figure A-61. Test 22 Temperature....................................................................................65 
vi

Figure A-62. Test 23 Temperature....................................................................................65 

Figure A-63. Test 24 Temperature....................................................................................65 

Figure A-64. Test 25 Temperature....................................................................................65 

Figure A-65. Test 26 Temperature....................................................................................65 

Figure A-66. Test 27 Temperature....................................................................................65 

Figure A-67. Test 28 Temperature....................................................................................66 

Figure A-68. Test 29 Temperature....................................................................................66 

Figure A-69. Test 30 Temperature....................................................................................66 

Figure A-70. Test 31 Temperature....................................................................................66 

Figure A-71. Test 2 Pretest Window Velocities ...............................................................67 

Figure A-72. Test 3 Pretest Window Velocities ...............................................................67 

Figure A-73. Test 4 Pretest Window Velocities ...............................................................67 

Figure A-74. Test 5 Pretest Window Velocities ...............................................................67 

Figure A-75. Test 7 Pretest Window Velocities ...............................................................67 

Figure A-76. Test 8 Pretest Window Velocities ...............................................................67 

Figure A-77. Test 9 Pretest Window Velocities ...............................................................67 

Figure A-78. Test 10 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................67 

Figure A-79. Test 11 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................68 

Figure A-80. Test 12 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................68 

Figure A-81. Test 13 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................68 

Figure A-82. Test 14 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................68 

Figure A-83. Test 16 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................68 

Figure A-84. Test 17 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................68 

Figure A-85. Test 18 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................68 

Figure A-86. Test 19 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................68 

Figure A-87. Test 20 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................69 

Figure A-88. Test 21 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................69 

Figure A-89. Test 24 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................69 

Figure A-90. Test 25 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................69 

Figure A-91. Test 26 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................69 

Figure A-92. Test 27 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................69 

Figure A-93. Test 28 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................69 

Figure A-94. Test 29 Pretest Window Velocities .............................................................69 

Figure A-95. Test 2 Window Velocities...........................................................................70 

Figure A-96. Test 3 Window Velocities...........................................................................70 

Figure A-97. Test 4 Window Velocities...........................................................................70 

Figure A-98. Test 5 Window Velocities...........................................................................70 

Figure A-99. Test 7 Window Velocities...........................................................................70 

Figure A-100. Test 8 Window Velocities.........................................................................70 

Figure A-101. Test 9 Window Velocities.........................................................................70 

Figure A-102. Test 10 Window Velocities.......................................................................70 

Figure A-103. Test 11 Window Velocities.......................................................................71 

Figure A-104. Test 12 Window Velocities.......................................................................71 

Figure A-105. Test 13 Window Velocities.......................................................................71 

Figure A-106. Test 14 Window Velocities.......................................................................71 

Figure A-107. Test 16 Window Velocities.......................................................................71 

Figure A-108. Test 17 Window Velocities.......................................................................71 

Figure A-109. Test 18 Window Velocities.......................................................................71 

Figure A-110. Test 19 Window Velocities.......................................................................71 

Figure A-111. Test 20 Window Velocities.......................................................................72 
vii

Figure A-112. Test 21 Window Velocities.......................................................................72 

Figure A-113. Test 22 Window Velocities.......................................................................72 

Figure A-114. Test 23 Window Velocities.......................................................................72 

Figure A-115. Test 24 Window Velocities.......................................................................72 

Figure A-116. Test 25 Window Velocities.......................................................................72 

Figure A-117. Test 26 Window Velocities.......................................................................72 

Figure A-118. Test 27 Window Velocities.......................................................................72 

Figure A-119. Test 28 Window Velocities.......................................................................73 

Figure A-120. Test 29 Window Velocities.......................................................................73 

Figure A-121. Test 30 Window Velocities.......................................................................73 

Figure A-122. Test 31 Window Velocities.......................................................................73 

Figure A-123. Test 2 Door Velocity (P5) .........................................................................74 

Figure A-124. Test 3 Door Velocity (P5) .........................................................................74 

Figure A-125. Test 4 Door Velocity (D5) ........................................................................74 

Figure A-126. Test 5 Door Velocity (D5) ........................................................................74 

Figure A-127. Test 7 Door Velocity (D2) ........................................................................74 

Figure A-128. Test 8 Door Velocity (D2) ........................................................................74 

Figure A-129. Test 9 Door Velocity (P4) .........................................................................74 

Figure A-130. Test 10 Door Velocity (P4) .......................................................................74 

Figure A-131. Test 11 Door Velocity (P3) .......................................................................75 

Figure A-132. Test 12 Door Velocity (P3) .......................................................................75 

Figure A-133. Test 13 Door Velocity (D2) ......................................................................75 

Figure A-134. Test 14 Door Velocity (D2) ......................................................................75 

Figure A-135. Test 16 Door Velocity (D2) ......................................................................75 

Figure A-136. Test 17 Door Velocity (D2) ......................................................................75 

Figure A-137. Test 18 Door Velocity (D2) ......................................................................75 

Figure A-138. Test 19 Door Velocity (D2) ......................................................................75 

Figure A-139. Test 20 Door Velocity (P3) .......................................................................76 

Figure A-140. Test 21 Door Velocity (P3) .......................................................................76 

Figure A-141. Test 22 Door Velocity (D2) ......................................................................76 

Figure A-142. Test 23 Door Velocity (D2) ......................................................................76 

Figure A-143. Test 24 Door Velocity (P5) .......................................................................76 

Figure A-144. Test 25 Door Velocity (P5) .......................................................................76 

Figure A-145. Test 26 Door Velocity (P4) .......................................................................76 

Figure A-146. Test 27 Door Velocity (P4) .......................................................................76 

Figure A-147. Test 28 Door Velocity (D5) ......................................................................77 

Figure A-148. Test 29 Door Velocity (D5) ......................................................................77 

Figure A-149. Test 30 Door Velocity (D2) ......................................................................77 

Figure A-150. Test 31 Door Velocity (D2) ......................................................................77 

Figure A-151. Test 2 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration .................................................78 

Figure A-152. Test 3 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration .................................................78 

Figure A-153. Test 4 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration .................................................78 

Figure A-154. Test 5 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration .................................................78 

Figure A-155. Test 7 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration .................................................78 

Figure A-156. Test 8 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration .................................................78 

Figure A-157. Test 9 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration .................................................78 

Figure A-158. Test 10 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................78 

Figure A-159. Test 11 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................79 

Figure A-160. Test 12 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................79 

Figure A-161. Test 13 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................79 
viii

Figure A-162. Test 14 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................79 

Figure A-163. Test 16 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................79 

Figure A-164. Test 17 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................79 

Figure A-165. Test 18 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................79 

Figure A-166. Test 19 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................79 

Figure A-167. Test 20 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................80 

Figure A-168. Test 21 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................80 

Figure A-169. Test 22 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................80 

Figure A-170. Test 23 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................80 

Figure A-171. Test 24 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................80 

Figure A-172. Test 25 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................80 

Figure A-173. Test 26 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................80 

Figure A-174. Test 27 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................80 

Figure A-175. Test 28 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................81 

Figure A-176. Test 29 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................81 

Figure A-177. Test 30 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................81 

Figure A-178. Test 31 Fire Room Oxygen Concentration ...............................................81 

Figure A-179. Configuration 1 Differential Pressure .......................................................82 

Figure A-180. Configuration 2 Differential Pressure .......................................................82 

Figure A-181. Configuration 3 Differential Pressure .......................................................82 

Figure A-182. Configuration 4 Differential Pressure .......................................................82 

Figure A-183. Configuration 5 Differential Pressure .......................................................82 

Figure A-184. Configuration 6 Differential Pressure .......................................................82 

Figure A-185. Configuration 7 Differential Pressure .......................................................82 

Figure A-186. Configuration 8 Differential Pressure .......................................................82 

Figure A-187. Configuration 9 Differential Pressure .......................................................83 

Figure A-188. Configuration 10 Differential Pressure .....................................................83 

Figure A-189. Configuration 11 Differential Pressure .....................................................83 

Figure A-190. Configuration 12 Differential Pressure .....................................................83 

Figure A-191. Configuration 13 Differential Pressure .....................................................83 

Figure A-192. Configuration 14 Differential Pressure .....................................................83 
1

Full-Scale Evaluation of Positive Pressure Ventilation in a Fire Fighter Training 

Building 

Stephen Kerber 

William D. Walton 

Abstract 

A series of full-scale experiments was conducted in a three-story fire fighter training burn 

building to compare natural ventilation with positive pressure ventilation (PPV). A wood 

pallet and dry hay fire was allowed to burn in the structure with all doors and windows 

closed until the fire reached an oxygen-limited state. A door and window were then 

opened. The structure was ventilated naturally or with a positive pressure fan placed at 

the front door. Fourteen different configurations of fire room and vent locations were 

examined, each with both natural and positive pressure ventilation. Gas temperatures, air 

velocities, fire room oxygen concentrations and differential pressures were recorded and 

compared for the different configurations and ventilation techniques. 

The data indicate that, with both natural and positive pressure ventilation techniques, 

using correct ventilation scenarios resulted in lower temperatures within the structure at 

the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, and at the 1.22 m (4 ft) 

height, where fire fighters may have been operating. There were only limited ventilation 

configurations where the temperatures in rooms other than the fire room exceeded the 

victim or fire fighter threshold temperatures with either ventilation technique. The use of 

positive pressure ventilation resulted in visibility improving more rapidly and, in many 

cases, cooled rooms surrounding the fire room. However, the use of positive pressure 

ventilation also caused the fire to grow more quickly, and in some cases, created higher 

temperatures at the lower elevations within the structure. Overall, this limited series of 

experiments suggests that PPV can assist in making the environment in the structure 

more conducive for firefighting operations. 

Disclaimer 

Certain trade names and company products are mentioned in the text or identified in an 

illustration in order to specify adequately the experimental procedure and equipment 

used. In no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the 

National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor does it imply that the products are 

necessarily the best available for the purpose. 
2

1.0 Introduction 

Positive pressure ventilation (PPV) is a technique used by the fire service to remove 

smoke, heat and other combustion products from a structure. This allows the fire service 

to perform tasks within the structure in a more tenable atmosphere. A PPV fan differs 

from conventional portable ventilation fans used by the fire service in that the discharge 

from a PPV fan is designed to cover the entire doorway with flow into the structure 

(Figure 1). The discharge from a conventional ventilation fan is cylindrically shaped, 

while the discharge from a PPV fan is cone-shaped. Typically a PPV fan is placed about 

1.8 m to 3.1 m (6 ft to 10 ft) in front of a ground level door to the structure. With the 

doorway within the fan discharge, air pressure inside the structure increases; thus, the 

term PPV. Exhaust openings in the structure, such as an opening in the roof or an open 

window, cause the smoke, heat and products of combustion to leave the structure due to 

the difference between the inside and outside air pressure. Outside “fresh” air enters the 

structure through the building opening in the fan discharge [1]. 

Figure 1. The Cone of Air and How PPV Works 

A conventional ventilation fan is usually used in the exhaust mode. The fan is placed in a 

door, window, or other opening in the structure with the fan exhaust directed to the 

outside of the structure. This may subject the fan to high temperature gas or flames from 

the fire. Since the fan is rarely the same size as the opening, outside air may enter the 

structure next to fan thus reducing the effectiveness of the fan. Conventional fans may be 

used in the positive pressure mode but are generally not as effective as a PPV fan. As in 

the exhaust mode, the conventional fan rarely exactly fits the opening allowing air to 

escape the structure past the fan. Conventional fans are usually placed within the 

opening, thus in the case of a door, prohibiting the use of the door by fire fighters. 

A significant advantage of PPV fans over conventional fans is ease of deployment. A 

PPV fan is normally placed at ground level in front of a door. When a conventional fan 

is placed in a window in the exhaust mode, the fan must be secured or balanced to 

prevent it from falling out the window. This becomes more difficult if placement is 

required above ground level. 

PPV fans may be used by fire departments to ventilate a structure after a fire has been 

extinguished. This allows fire fighters to complete salvage and overhaul operations in a 
3

less hazardous atmosphere. PPV can also be implemented as a tactic for fire attack. The 

fan is started in coordination with a ventilation opening placed downwind of the fire 

during the initial phase of fire attack. The objective of this tactic is to increase visibility 

and force heat away from the attack team as they locate and extinguish the fire. Just as 

with any tactic, the fire service has used it with both success and failure. These failures 

have given rise to several questions: When should PPV be used, and just as important, 

when should it not be used? What is the best location to position the fan and where 

should the exhaust opening be made? Does PPV provide oxygen to the fire and allow for 

quicker growth? What if building occupants or fire fighters are between the fire and the 

exhaust opening? Are there certain types of construction where PPV should not be used? 

Can PPV cause a re-ignition during salvage and overhaul? These are just a few of the 

questions that the fire service has developed since the inception of PPV. 

This research effort used a series of full-scale experiments to examine how PPV may 

impact structural fire ventilation. The objective is to develop a better understanding of 

the impact PPV has on fire behavior and the fire-induced conditions inside a structure. 

2.0 Overview of Experimental Series

A series of full-scale experiments were performed at the Delaware County Emergency 

Services Training Center in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania in a three-story fire fighter training 

burn building (Figures 2, 3). The burn building was concrete block construction with 

concrete floors and steel windows and doors. Temperature resistant panels protected the 

interior walls of the structure. Gypsum board on wood frames and fiberglass insulation 

were used to isolate sections of the building (Figure 4). The ceiling heights in the rooms 

were 3.4 m (11.0 ft) and the slab thickness between the first and the second floors was 

0.2 m (8.0 in). 

The experimental series focused on the first two floors and the three-story stairwell. The 

garage area and the third floor were isolated with temporary walls (Figures 5-7). In these 

figures, rooms are indicated with an R, doors with a D, windows with a W, and open 

passageways with a P. The doors and passageways were 0.9 m wide by 2.1 m high (3 ft 

by 7 ft). The windows were 1.2 m wide by 1.4 m high (4 ft by 4.7 ft), with a sill height of 

0.8 m (2.7 ft). Fourteen configurations were used to examine the effects of both natural 

and PPV ventilated fires with different fire and ventilation locations (Table 1). The 

configurations were also compared based on the correctness of the ventilation location. 

Each experiment only had one exit vent; all other exterior vent locations were closed. 

For all of the configurations, the front door (D1) was opened at the same time as the 

ventilation location. The fan used for the experiments was a 0.6 m (2 ft), 4.1 kW (5.5 hp) 

gasoline engine powered, belt driven positive pressure ventilator. For the experiments 

with the fan running, the PPV fan was located 2.4 m (8 ft) from the front door and 

brought to full speed at the time of ventilation (Figure 8). 
4

Figure 2. Front of Fire Fighter Training Burn Building 

Figure 3. Rear of Fire Fighter Training Burn Building 
5

Figure 4. Door D3 Sealed with Wood Frame and Insulation 

Figure 5. First Floor Experimental Layout 

Front 

Rear 
6

Figure 6. Second Floor Experimental Layout 

Figure 7. Third Floor Experimental Layout 
7

Figure 8. PPV Fan Positioned in Front of Building 

Table 1. Experimental Matrix 

Configuration Tests Fire Room Ventilation 

Location 

Tactical Ventilation 

Accuracy 

1 2,3 R23 W8 Correct 

2 4,5 R21 W8 Incorrect 

3 7,8 R11 W8 Incorrect 

4 9,10 R22 W8 Incorrect 

5 11,12 R24 W8 Incorrect 

6 13,14 R11 W4 Incorrect 

7 16,17 R11 W4 Incorrect 

8 18,19 R11 W1 Correct 

9 20,21 R24 W10 Correct 

10 22,23 R11 No Vent Incorrect 

11 24,25 R22 W7 Correct 

12 26,27 R23 W7 Incorrect 

13 28,29 R21 W6 Correct 

14 30,31 R11 V1 Incorrect 
8

The configurations selected were designed to compare naturally ventilated fires with PPV 

ventilated fires with various fire and vent locations. Some of the configurations were 

correct ventilation procedures and while others were incorrect. According to the 

Essentials of Fire Fighting, a widely used manual published by the International Fire 

Service Training Association (IFSTA), ventilation procedures are defined as correct 

when the ventilation opening occurs near the seat of the fire and localizes the fire [2]. 

Incorrect ventilation procedures, where the ventilation opening is remote from the seat of 

the fire, may contribute to the spread of the fire. The IFSTA manual does not make 

reference to the use of PPV ventilation during fire attack. The definition of correct use of 

PPV was based on material developed by the Tempest Technology Corporation in 

cooperation with the Salt Lake City Fire Department, which also advised to make the 

exhaust opening near the seat of the fire when practical [3]. The labeling of correct and 

incorrect was based on the ideal situation with no outside factors. Scenarios were 

considered incorrect because the flow from the fire had to pass through other rooms 

before reaching the vent. These scenarios may be considered correct during actual fires 

depending on factors such as location of victims or fire fighters operating in the structure. 

For this series of experiments, correct ventilation configurations were where the vent 

from the fire room opened directly to the outside. An example of this was configuration 

1, where room R23 was vented directly out window W8. 

For this study, incorrect ventilation configurations were where the vent from the fire 

room opened into at least one additional room before combustion gases were vented to 

the outside. An example of incorrect ventilation was configuration 11, where the 

combustion gases from room R23 had to pass through room R22 to be exhausted through 

window W7. The use of correct and/or incorrect ventilation tactics were further analyzed 

in the configuration results section (Table 1). The results of each experiment in this 

report are referenced by their sequential test numbers, Test 1, 2, etc. 

2.1 Instrumentation 

The measurements taken during the experiments included gas temperature, gas velocity, 

oxygen concentration and meteorological data (Figures 9-11). Temperature 

measurements were made with 0.51 mm (0.02 in) nominal diameter, bare-bead, type K 

thermocouples. Each room and the top of the stairwell had a vertical thermocouple array 

with measurement locations 0.30 m, 0.91 m, 1.52 m, 2.13 and 2.74 m (1 ft, 3 ft, 5 ft, 7 ft 

and 9 ft) below the ceiling. Each doorway and passageway had a vertical array with 

measurement locations 0.30 m, 0.91 m and 1.52 m (1 ft, 3 ft and 5 ft) below the top of the 

door opening (Figure 12). Four additional thermocouples were placed in the ventilation 

window 0.30 m, 0.61 m, 0.91 m and 1.22 m (1 ft, 2 ft, 3 ft and 4 ft) below the top of the 

window opening (Figure 13). 
9

5.92m

4.18m 4.14m

2.98m

5.32m

Thermocouple array

Thermocouple array

Thermocouple array

Figure 9. First Floor Dimensions and Instrumentation 

R22 R23

R21 R24

4.44m 3.94m

3.25m

5.13m

2.46m 3.28m

Thermocouple array Thermocouple array

Thermocouple array

Thermocouple array

Figure 10. Second Floor Dimensions and Instrumentation 
10

8.53m

5.23m

2.34m

8.59m

Figure 11. Third Floor Dimensions and Instrumentation 

Thermocouple array 
11

Figure 12. Doorway and Passageway Instrumentation and High Temperature Panels 

Figure 13. Window Instrumentation 
12

Gas velocity measurements were recorded in the open doorway to the fire room in the 

ventilation path and the ventilation window using vertical arrays of bi-directional probes 

(Figure 14). A thermocouple was located adjacent to each bi-directional probe 

(Figure 15). The doorways and passageways had measurement locations of 0.30 m, 

0.91 m and 1.52 m (1 ft, 3 ft and 5 ft) below the top of the door opening (Figure 12). 

The ventilation window had six bi-directional probes in locations shown in Figure 13. 

The probes were numbered from 1 to 6 with probe 1 at the top-left side of the window, 

probe 2 at the center-left, probe 3 at the bottom-left, probe 4 at the top-right, probe 5 at 

the center-right, and probe 6 at the bottom-right. The top probes were 0.3 m (1 ft) below 

the window lintel and 0.3 m (1 ft) from the window sides. The bottom probes were 0.3 m 

(1 ft) above the window sill and 0.3 m (1 ft) from the window sides. The center probes 

were centered in the window top to bottom, 0.7 m (2.3 ft) below the lintel and 0.5 m 

(1.7 ft) from the window sides. 

The building was ventilated in the last test using a 0.91 m by 0.76 m (3.0 ft by 2.5 ft) roof 

hatch the top of stairwell. The longer dimension of the hatch ran from the front to the 

back of the building. Two bi-directional probes were placed along the front to back 

centerline of the hatch positioned 0.36 m (1.2 ft) from the front and rear edges of the 

hatch. 

The probes were connected to differential pressure transducers mounted outside the 

structure. Door flows were positive when the flow was in the direction of the fan. For 

the first 19 tests, positive flow was into the window and negative flow out of the window. 

For all remaining tests, positive flow was out of the window and negative flow into the 

window. A pressure transducer was also positioned on the third floor landing to examine 

the difference between the pressure created in the stairwell and the pressure outside the 

building. 
13

Figure 14. Bidirectional Probe 

Figure 15. Bidirectional Probe and Thermocouple Combination 
14

Oxygen concentration measurements were taken in the fire room, using a portable 

paramagnetic oxygen analyzer, at 0.61 m (2 ft) and 2.13 m (7 ft) above the floor. These 

readings were used to indicate when the fire was oxygen limited and when the fire room 

received oxygen after ventilation. 

Video was recorded during each test. One camera was positioned on the exterior of the 

building recording the ventilation location. Another camera was positioned inside the 

building recording the fire room from an adjacent room. Some additional cameras were 

used depending on the scenario to examine both smoke movement and fire spread. 

Weather was monitored and recorded during each of the tests using a portable weather 

station. Temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction were recorded 

continuously. The measured values remained relatively constant throughout each test and 

the average values are presented in Table 2. 

Table 2. Average Environmental Conditions 

Test Temperature Relative 

Humidity 

Average 

Wind Speed 

Wind 

Direction 

Barometric 

Pressure 

( ̊C) (%) (m/s) (o) (kPa) 

1 26.4 50.9 2.22 197 101.2 

2 26.5 55.0 2.44 194 101.1 

3 27.0 51.8 2.93 195 101.0 

4 23.0 65.2 1.46 173 101.5 

5 22.8 72.8 1.34 191 101.5 

6 26.2 50.2 2.73 204 101.4 

7 26.3 50.4 2.02 189 101.3 

8 22.9 67.3 0.97 129 102.0 

9 26.2 50.2 0.99 171 102.1 

10 29.0 35.2 1.53 217 102.0 

11 29.8 35.9 2.16 214 102.0 

12 27.2 49.6 2.54 188 102.1 

13 25.2 88.0 0.28 277 102.5 

14 25.6 85.5 0.52 206 102.6 

15 29.8 64.1 1.68 228 102.4 

16 30.7 59.9 1.79 223 102.3 

17 27.7 66.0 1.11 43 102.6 

18 30.0 46.1 1.89 8 102.5 

19 32.4 37.4 1.46 5 102.4 

20 33.3 33.9 1.76 0 102.3 

21 30.4 39.5 2.31 359 101.6 

22 31.4 40.0 2.11 353 101.5 

23 32.6 37.1 2.10 301 101.3 

24 32.9 38.3 1.82 319 101.2 

25 27.7 64.8 1.32 240 101.0 

26 30.7 54.1 1.49 266 100.8 

27 24.9 86.4 1.09 304 100.9 

28 24.3 86.8 1.32 346 100.8 

Note: Weather measurement total expanded uncertainty is ±6%. See table 6. 
15

The total air leakage in the structure was measured with an air infiltration test device. 

With all vents closed, pressured was applied to front door by a calibrated fan and the 

equivalent leakage area was determined from the pressure difference between the inside 

and outside of the building. Table 3 shows the equivalent leakage area as a function of 

pressure. The building was very tight which allowed for maximum impact from 

ventilation. 

Table 3. Leakage Test Results 

Pressure 

Difference 

Equivalent leakage 

 Total area 

(Pa) (cm2) 

5.3 240 

6.3 250 

10.1 271 

13.6 280 

13.8 284 

19.2 300 

23 309 

Note: Leakage measurement total expanded uncertainty is ±15%. See table 6. 

2.2 Fuel Load 

Each test had a fire load that consisted of six pallets and 7.5 kg (16.5 lb) of field-cut dry 

hay. The fire load was selected to achieve flashover or near flashover conditions in the 

fire room based on the estimation of the minimum heat release rate required to achieve 

flashover: [4] 

1/ 2 Q = 750Ao ho & 

where: 

Q& - energy (heat) release rate of the fire (kW) 

Ao - area of opening (m2) 

ho - height of opening (m) 

The predicted heat release rate required to achieve flashover was 2.1 MW 

(120 000 BTU/min). An estimate of the number of pallets required to achieve this heat 

release rate was obtained from work done by Babrauskas [5]. The quantity of hay used 

was selected to be the minimum amount of hay to ignite the pallets and maintain 

sustained burning. 

A series of experiments was conducted in the NIST Building and Fire Research 

Laboratory Large Fire Research Facility to determine the heat release rate and the mass 

loss rate produced by the six pallets and 7.5 kg (16.5 lb) of hay (Figure 16). Two 

experiments (tests 1 and 2) were conducted with no obstructions under the calorimetric 

hood and two experiments were conducted with a ceiling above the fire (tests 3 and 4). 

The results of these experiments are shown in Figure 17. The average of these tests is 
16

displayed as the resultant. These tests demonstrated that six pallets and 7.5 kg (16.5 lb) 

of hay would achieve an average peak heat release rate of 2.25 MW (128 000 BTU/min), 

which was just above the desired amount. 

In the fire training structure, the fire loads were configured to be as close to identical as 

possible. The mass of the six pallet stacks varied between 103 kg (227 lb) and 112 kg 

(247 lb) for the experiments. Gypsum board sheets were placed beneath the pallets to 

protect the concrete floor of the building. A layer of hay was placed on the gypsum 

board, followed by the first pallet and another layer of hay. This was repeated until all 

six pallets were stacked and with hay in between each pallet (Figure 18). The conditions 

at the fire training center did not allow the pallets and hay to be conditioned at a constant 

humidity prior to the experiments. The ignition source consisted of two standard 

matchbooks with electric igniters placed at the open ends of the pallets at floor level. 

Figure 16. Pallet Test at Maximum Heat Release Rate 
17

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500

Time (s)

Heat Release Rate (kW)

Test 1

Test 2

Test 3

Test 4

Resultant

Figure 17. Heat Release Rates Versus Time for Pallet Tests 

Figure 18. Pallets and Hay 
18

2.3 Experimental Procedure 

Prior to ignition, measurements were recorded with all vents closed, followed by 

measurements with the appropriate vents open. For the tests with the fan, measurements 

were then taken with the fan at full speed with the appropriate vents open to establish a 

baseline for airflow velocities without the effects of the fire. Once the background 

measurements were taken, the vents were closed and the fire was ignited. 

The fire was allowed to grow to its maximum as indicated by the gas temperatures within 

the structure. When the temperatures and oxygen concentrations declined and the 

visibility was substantially reduced as seen on the interior video cameras, the fire was 

considered to be in an oxygen-limited environment. Once these criteria were met, the 

front door (D1) and the designated ventilation point were opened simultaneously. In the 

scenarios with the fan, the fan was started immediately following the opening of the 

vents. Once the vents were opened, the fire was allowed to burn to near completion. At 

that time, other vents in the structure were opened and the fire was manually 

extinguished. A timeline of events is given in Table 4, time periods are seconds. 

Table 4. Experimental Timeline 

TEST 

 

Begin Test 

All Vents 

Closed 

Open 

Front Door 

and Vent 

Fan 

On 

 

Close All 

Vents 

Fan Off 

Ignition 

 

Open Front 

Door 

and Vent 

Fan 

On 

 

End 

Test 

 

1 0 120 NA 420 600 Fire Failed to Ignite NA NA 

2 0 120 NA 420 480 1294 NA 2280 

3 0 120 300 600 780 1785 1785 2289 

4 0 120 NA 300 480 1498 NA 2100 

5 0 120 300 600 780 1593 1717 2455 

6 0 120 NA 300 480 Fire Failed to Ignite NA NA 

7 0 120 NA 300 480 1340 NA 2030 

8 0 120 300 600 780 1377 1389 2220 

9 0 120 NA 300 480 1380 NA 1740 

10 0 120 300 600 780 1440 1446 1860 

11 0 120 NA 300 480 840 NA 2130 

12 0 120 300 600 780 1380 1387 2160 

13 0 120 NA 300 480 1020 NA 2340 

14 0 120 300 600 780 1397 1397 1965 

15 0 120 NA 300 600 Fire Failed to Ignite NA NA 

16 0 120 NA 300 360 860 NA 1860 

17 0 120 300 600 660 1045 1045 2044 

18 0 120 NA 300 360 665 NA 2354 

19 0 120 300 600 660 1215 1215 2481 

20 0 120 NA 300 420 975 NA 1709 

21 0 120 300 600 660 1260 1320 1735 

22 0 120 NA 300 360 931 NA 1645 

23 0 120 300 600 660 1188 1188 2169 

24 0 120 NA 300 360 975 NA 1810 

25 0 120 300 600 720 1365 1365 2020 

26 0 120 NA 300 420 1170 NA 2220 

27 0 120 300 600 720 1380 1380 2223 

28 0 120 NA 300 420 1080 NA 1664 

29 0 120 300 600 720 1565 1565 2167 

30 0 120 NA 300 360 1160 NA 2100 

31 0 120 300 600 720 1750 1750 2280 
19

3.0 Training Structure Experiment Results 

Fourteen configurations were used to examine the effects of both natural and PPV 

ventilated fires with different fire and ventilation locations. Air velocities, temperatures, 

fire compartment oxygen levels and differential pressure readings were recorded. 

A summary of temperature and oxygen concentration measurements in the fire room is 

given in Table 5. The first column is the maximum temperature before ventilation 

started. The second column is the minimum oxygen concentrations at 0.61 m and 2.13 m 

(2 ft and 7 ft) above the floor before ventilation started. Column three is the time to 

maximum temperature after ventilation and column four is the maximum temperature 

after ventilation. The fifth column is time rate of change of temperature from the time of 

ventilation to the time of maximum temperature after ventilation. Column six is the 

oxygen concentration at the time of maximum temperature after ventilation. 

Table 5. Temperature and Oxygen Concentration Summary 

TEST Tmax Before 

Ventilation 

O2 min Before 

Ventilation 

(0.61 m, 2.13 m) 

Time to Tmax 

After Ventilation 

Tmax After 

Ventilation 

∆T/∆t 

After 

Ventilation 

O2 at Tmax After 

Ventilation 

(0.61 m, 2.13 m) 

 ( ̊C) (Volume Fraction %) (s) ( ̊C) ( ̊C/s) (Volume Fraction %)

1 NA NA NA NA NA NA 

2 280 15,10 186 580 1.61 20,16 

3 260 13,10 110 775 4.68 19,12 

4 300 11,10 112 675 3.35 20,10 

5 260 11,10 97 690 4.43 20,15 

6 NA NA NA NA NA NA 

7 150 16,15 310 400 0.81 16,16 

8 220 14,13 303 510 0.96 14,11 

9 290 10,8 110 705 3.77 13,9 

10 270 10,9 100 800 5.30 7,6 

11 200 16,15 360 620 1.17 21,19 

12 230 15,13 135 800 4.22 20,18 

13 120 19,18 660 520 0.61 19,14 

14 220 15,13 203 600 1.87 17,15 

15 NA NA NA NA NA NA 

16 200 14,12 255 560 1.41 19,12 

17 140 17,17 405 590 1.11 19,12 

18 100 20,19 890 500 0.45 20,12 

19 220 14,13 175 560 1.94 16,12 

20 250 12,11 130 680 3.31 16,8 

21 250 14,13 120 650 3.33 18,18 

22 250 13,11 104 460 2.02 13,12 

23 250 15,13 202 560 1.53 16,12 

24 280 11,9 270 580 1.11 17,12 

25 270 11,10 130 620 2.69 17,13 

26 190 18,15 175 760 3.26 10,5 

27 260 13,13 220 900 2.91 14,11 

28 280 10,8 135 550 2.00 14,10 

29 300 11,10 125 605 2.44 14,13 

30 210 13,13 150 490 1.87 13,13 

31 260 12,12 110 455 1.77 13,13 

Note: Gas Temperature measurement total expanded uncertainty is ±15 % and oxygen 

measurement total expanded uncertainty is 14 %. See table 6. 
20

Air velocity measurements allowed for the mapping of the direction and magnitude of the 

airflow. Measurements without the fire showed how the PPV fan moved air in the 

structure representing the condition where the fire department was only removing smoke 

from the building. Velocity measurements during the fire showed how the flows changed 

with the increase of heat and combustion products created by the fire representing the 

condition where the fire department was using PPV prior to applying water to the fire. 

Temperature measurements taken throughout the building allowed for the analysis of 

occupant conditions and potential fire spread. Research by Montgomery [6] in 1975 

indicated that in humid air, rapid skin burns would occur at 100  ̊C (212  ̊F), and 150  ̊C 

(302  ̊F) was the exposure temperature at which escape was not likely. In 1947, Moritz 

[6] conducted experiments on large animals and found that 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) represented 

the threshold for local burning and hyperemia (general burning). For this analysis, a 

temperature value of 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) was considered the temperature at which victims 

would be incapacitated. The measurements at 0.61 m (2 ft) above the floor were used, 

assuming that the victim was lying on the floor where the lowest temperatures are 

typically found. 

Fire fighters operating in structures are also susceptible to harm from exposure to 

elevated temperatures. Fire fighter protective clothing standards such as NFPA 1971 

require that protective clothing withstand exposure to 260  ̊C (500  ̊F) for five minutes 

without substantial damage [7]. Other data indicate that a fire fighter can survive 

flashover conditions of 816  ̊C (1500  ̊F) for up to 15 seconds depending on the 

conditions. For this analysis, a temperature value of 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) was considered the 

upper limit for a fire fighter to remain in the environment for a short period of time. The 

temperatures were evaluated at 1.22 m (4 ft) above the floor assuming that fire fighters 

would be crawling in an attempt to operate in the lowest temperature region of the room. 

Fire compartment oxygen concentrations were recorded in the fire room to help 

determine when the fire was oxygen limited and the oxygen concentration value prior to 

ventilation. It was also a good indication as to how fast air entered the fire room after 

ventilation occurred. The oxygen concentration in the fire room was related to the rate of 

combustion that could take place in the room and the total quantity of heat generated by 

the fire. 

Differential pressure readings in the third floor stairwell provided a comparison between 

the naturally ventilated and positive pressure ventilated scenarios. The pressure in the 

naturally ventilated cases would be related to the fire and vent locations. In the cases 

with the PPV fan operating, the pressure rise in the stairwell would be dominated by the 

fan and less dependent on the location of the fire and the vent. 

For each of the configurations a diagram was made of the layout, the expected fan flow to 

the fire room and the flow to the exhaust opening. These are shown in figures 20 through 

33 to assist with visualizing the results. Details of the flow into the building or the flow of 

combustion gases and smoke out of the building are not included in these diagrams. 

Graphs of the data are compiled in the appendix. Maximum temperatures are compared 

for both natural and PPV ventilated scenarios for all rooms. Temperature, window 

velocities, doorway velocities, oxygen concentrations and differential pressures are 

graphed versus time for each test with lines to detail ventilation changes.
21

Figure 19. Configuration Symbol Key

3.1 Configuration 1 (Tests 2, 3) 

The first configuration examined a fire in the room farthest from the PPV fan (R23), 

vented through the window on the back of the room opposite the fan (W8) (Figure 20). 

All other exterior vents are closed. This was classified as a correct ventilation scenario. 

The maximum fire room temperature for the naturally ventilated test was 550  ̊C 

(1020  ̊F) and the maximum temperature for the PPV ventilated test was 780  ̊C (1440  ̊F) 

(Figure A-1). In the adjacent room (R22), the temperature with PPV was nearly 50  ̊C 

(90  ̊F) higher than the naturally ventilated test. All of the other rooms in the structure 

had approximately the same maximum temperatures at the ceiling level for both 

scenarios. The first floor remained at ambient temperatures during both scenarios. 

Figure 20. Configuration 1 Layout 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, the maximum 

temperature in the fire room was 180  ̊C (356  ̊F) for the naturally ventilated test and 

370  ̊C (698  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test. The temperature in the PPV ventilated test 

was 190  ̊C (342  ̊F) greater than in the naturally ventilated test, which was most likely 
22

due to the mixing created by the fan (Figure A-15). This is a significant increase, 

although victims in the fire room would have been subjected to the 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) 

incapacitation threshold for either of the ventilation tactics. None of the other rooms in 

the structure reached the 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) incapacitation threshold during either scenario 

and the temperatures were essentially the same for both tests. 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where the fire fighters may have been operating, the fire room 

temperatures were also higher in the PPV ventilated test. The maximum temperature was 

500  ̊C (932  ̊F) for the naturally ventilated test and 725  ̊C (1337  ̊F) for the PPV 

ventilated test. The increase at this level in the PPV ventilated test was also likely due to 

mixing and in both cases the maximum fire room temperatures were well above the 300 

 ̊C (572  ̊F) fire fighter threshold (Figure A-29). The temperature in the room adjacent to 

the fire room (R22) was 30  ̊C (54  ̊F) higher in the PPV ventilated test as compared to 

the naturally ventilated test but only reached a temperature of 200  ̊C (392  ̊F), which was 

below the 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) fire fighter threshold (Figure A-29). 

The use of the PPV fan caused a more rapid increase in temperature than with natural 

ventilation (Figures A-43, A-44). After ventilation, the rate of temperature increase was 

1.61  ̊C/s (2.90  ̊F/s) for the naturally ventilated test and 4.68  ̊C/s (8.42  ̊F/s) for the PPV 

ventilated test. The peak temperatures were sustained longer for the naturally ventilated 

test, which could have been a function of the available fuel. 

Air velocities without the fire and without the fan ranged between 0.0 m/s (0.0 ft/s) and 

1.5 m/s (4.9 ft/s) (Figure A-71). For the first 21 tests, positive flow was into the window 

and negative flow out of the window. When the fan was used, the velocities out the 

window (W8) rose to between 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) and 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s), with the higher 

velocities at the top portion of the window (Figure A-72). When ventilation was started 

after the fire, the there was a bi-directional flow for the naturally ventilated fire of 

1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) to 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s) out of the top two thirds of the window and 

0.0 m/s (0.0 ft/s) to 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s) into the bottom third of the window (Figure A-95). 

Then in the PPV ventilated test, there was a unidirectional flow out of the window with a 

magnitude of 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) to 6.0 m/s (19.7 ft/s) (Figure A-96) (One set of 

bidirectional probes failed to function during test 3.) The outflow velocities were higher 

after the fire than in the pretest condition due to the added buoyancy produced by the fire. 

The air velocities into the fire room through the doorway (P5) without the PPV fan were 

bidirectional and ranged from 4.0 m/s (13.1 ft/s) into the room to 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) out of 

the room, both before and after ventilation. In the PPV ventilated test, the neutral plane 

was near the top of the door. The flow fluctuated between completely unidirectional into 

the room at 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) to partial flow out the top of the door at 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) 

(Figures A-123, A-124). 

The oxygen concentration in the fire room dropped as low as 5 % at the lower level in 

both scenarios but was 10 % at the upper level and 15 % at the lower level at the time of 

ventilation (Figures A-151, A-152). For the PPV scenario, the oxygen concentration 

returned to the ambient value of 21 % much faster than in the naturally ventilated fire, 

especially at the lower level. 
23

The differential pressure in the stairwell remained between 0 Pa (0.0 lb/in2) and 7 Pa 

(0.001 lb/in2

) for the naturally ventilated scenario. For the PPV ventilated scenario, the 

pressure in the stairwell rose to 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2

) and mainly fluctuated between 14 Pa 

(0.002 lb/in2

) and 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2) while the fan was operating (Figure A-179). This 

pressure was comparable with a stairwell pressurization system. (By code is required to 

pressurize the stairwells of non-sprinklered buildings to 25 Pa (0.0036 lb/in2

) [8].) 

3.2 Configuration 2 (Tests 4, 5) 

Configuration 2 used the same ventilation window (W8) as in configuration 1 but the fire 

was moved to the room on the second floor that was nearest the stairwell (R21) 

(Figure 21). This was an incorrect ventilation scenario in that the combustion products 

had to pass through rooms R22 and R23 prior to venting to the exterior. 

Maximum temperatures in all of the rooms for both the naturally and PPV ventilated tests 

were within 25  ̊C (45  ̊F). Maximum temperatures on the entire second floor were above 

200  ̊C (392  ̊F), while the fire room reached nearly 700  ̊C (1292  ̊F) at the ceiling in 

both the naturally ventilated and PPV ventilated tests (Figure A-2). 

Figure 21. Configuration 2 Layout 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, the maximum fire 

room temperature was 170  ̊C (338  ̊F) for the naturally ventilated test and 280  ̊C 

(536  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test, an increase of 100  ̊C (180  ̊F). In R22, the 

maximum temperature was 140  ̊C (284  ̊F) for the naturally ventilated test and 200  ̊C 

(392  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test, an increase of 60  ̊C (108  ̊F). In R23, the maximum 

temperature was 140  ̊C (284  ̊F) for the naturally ventilated test and 170  ̊C (338  ̊F) for 

the PPV ventilated test, an increase of 30  ̊C (54  ̊F) (Figure A-16). While the use of the 

PPV fan resulted in increased temperatures at the 0.61 m (2 ft) height in all of the rooms 

between the fire and the vent, the temperatures in all of the rooms on the second floor 
24

were above the 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) incapacitation threshold temperature for both the 

naturally and PPV ventilated tests. 

In R21, at the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where the fire fighters may have been operating, the 

maximum fire room temperature was 596  ̊C (1104 ̊F) for the naturally ventilated test and 

606  ̊C (1123  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test, an increase of 10  ̊C (18  ̊F). In R22, the 

maximum temperature was 250  ̊C (482  ̊F) for the naturally ventilated test and 295  ̊C 

(563  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test, an increase of 50  ̊C (90  ̊F) (Figure A-30). This 

approached the 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) threshold to cause harm to fire fighters. In rooms R23 

and R24, the maximum temperatures were slightly higher temperatures in the PPV 

ventilated test as compared to the natural ventilated burn. 

In both scenarios, there was a rapid increase in temperature after ventilation. In the 

naturally ventilated fire, the temperature increased at a rate of 3.35  ̊C/s (6.03  ̊F/s) 

reaching a maximum temperature of almost 700  ̊C (1290  ̊F). In the PPV ventilated test, 

the temperature increased at a rate of 4.43  ̊C/s (7.97  ̊F/s) (Figures A-45, A-46). In both 

tests, the temperatures above the 1.83 m (6 ft) height were uniform after ventilation. 

Air velocities through the window (W8) without the fire and without the fan ranged 

between 0.0 m/s (0.0 ft/s) and 1.5 m/s (4.9 ft/s) (Figure A-73). When the fan was used, 

the velocity out the window rose to between 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) and 3.5 m/s (11.5 ft/s), with 

the higher velocities at the top portion of the window (Figure A-74). In the naturally 

ventilated test with the fire, after ventilation, the window flow was bidirectional with 

velocities of 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) to 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s) out of the top two thirds of the window 

and 0.0 m/s (0.0 ft/s) to 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s) into the bottom third of the window (Figure 

A-97). The test with the fan resulted in unidirectional flow out of the window with a 

magnitude of 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) to 5.0 m/s (16.4 ft/s) (Figure A-98). 

 

The air velocities into the fire room through the door (D5) without the PPV fan were 

bidirectional and ranged from 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) into the room and 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s) out of 

the room after ventilation. In the fan test, the flow began bidirectional with a range of 

2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) out of the room and 0.5 m/s (1.6 ft/s) into the room, but once ventilation 

occurred and the fan was turned on, the flow became unidirectional into the room at a 

velocity of 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) to 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s) (Figures A-125, A-126). 

In both scenarios, oxygen concentrations dropped to approximately 10 % at both the 

lower and upper level. Once ventilation occurred, the concentration at the lower level for 

both scenarios recovered to 21 % quickly. In the naturally ventilated test, this took 120 s 

while in the PPV ventilated test it took 60 s (Figures A-153, A-154). The difference in 

time was primarily due to the room’s location, connecting to the stairwell. The upper 

concentration in the PPV ventilated test recovered to 15 % rather quickly but dropped 

again to 10 % as the fire redeveloped. After the fire reached its maximum burning rate, 

the oxygen concentration increased, returning to 21 % in 600 s. The oxygen 

concentration in the naturally ventilated test took much longer to reach to 21 %. 

The differential pressures in the stairwell remained between 0 Pa (0.0 lb/in2

) and 14 Pa 

(0.002 lb/in2

) for the naturally ventilated scenario. For the PPV ventilated scenario, the 

pressure in the stairwell increased to 14 Pa (0.002 lb/in2

) but fluctuated between 7 Pa 

(0.001 lb/in2

) and 14 Pa (0.002 lb/in2) while the fan was operating (Figure A-180). The 
25

proximity of fire to the stairwell may have resulted in lower pressures as compared to 

configuration 1. 

3.3 Configuration 3 (Tests 7, 8) 

In the third configuration, the fire was located in the large room on the first floor (R11) 

(Figure 22). The vent window remained the same as for configuration 2 (W8). This was 

an extreme test where the products of combustion had to travel up a stairwell and through 

the second floor to the back room before being vented to the outside. This was an 

incorrect ventilation scenario because there was not a direct ventilation path from the fire 

to the outside. 

Figure 22. Configuration 3 Layout 

In this configuration, maximum temperatures on the first floor were slightly higher for 

the PPV ventilated test but the maximum temperatures on the second floor were slightly 

less for the PPV ventilated test. The lower temperatures on the second floor were due to 

the fan mixing the combustion gases with the ambient air from outside with a direct path 

up the stairs. Maximum temperatures in the fire room reached 440  ̊C (824  ̊F) for the 

naturally ventilated test and 510  ̊C (954  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test. The temperature 

in the room next to the stairwell on the second floor (R21) reached 110  ̊C (230  ̊F) in the 

naturally ventilated test and 90  ̊C (194  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test (Figure A-3). 

The results were similar at the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located. 

In R11, the maximum temperature in the naturally ventilated test was 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) and 

in the PPV ventilated test was 200  ̊C (392  ̊F) for an increase of 100  ̊C (180  ̊F). In 

R21, the maximum temperature in the naturally ventilated test was 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) and in 

the PPV ventilated test was 70  ̊C (158  ̊F) for a decrease of 30  ̊C (54  ̊F) (Figure A-17). 

With PPV ventilation, the temperatures were higher on the first floor and lower on the 

second floor. In the fire room (R11), the maximum temperature reached the 100  ̊C 

(212  ̊F) threshold with natural ventilation and exceeded it with PPV ventilation. In room 
26

R21, the maximum temperature where a victim may have been located on the second 

floor was below the threshold temperature with PPV ventilation. 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, only the 

maximum temperatures in the fire room exceeded the 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) threshold in both 

the naturally and PPV ventilated tests. The maximum temperatures in the other first floor 

rooms were 200  ̊C (392  ̊F) and the maximum second floor temperature was 100  ̊C 

(212  ̊F), all below the threshold (Figure A-31). 

The maximum fire room temperature in the naturally ventilated test occurred prior to 

ventilation. In both ventilation tests, the fire grew slower after ventilation than in the 

previous tests (Figures A-47, A-48). The temperature in the naturally ventilated fire 

increased at a rate of 0.81  ̊C/s (1.46  ̊F/s), while the temperature in the PPV ventilated 

test increased at a rate of 0.96  ̊C/s (1.73  ̊F/s). The small difference in rates between the 

tests could be due to the fact that the fan was moving air past the fire room and not 

through the fire room as in the previous configurations. 

Pretest air velocities through the window (W8) were very similar to those in 

configurations 1 and 2, since with no fire, the airflow path to the window was similar 

(Figures A-75, A-76). During the fire for both tests there was a unidirectional flow out of 

the window. This was expected due to the remoteness of the window and because the 

flow of oxygen to the fire was through the open door and not from the window on the 

second floor. The fan increased this flow by 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s), from 1.5 m/s (4.9 ft/s) to 

2.5 m/s (8.2 ft/s) (Figures A-99, A-100). 

In both scenarios, there was a bidirectional flow of similar magnitude through the door to 

the fire room (D2). This would indicate that most of the air from the fan was blowing 

past the door and had little influence on the natural flow created by the fire (Figures 

A-127, A-128). 

Oxygen concentrations in the naturally ventilated scenario recovered more rapidly than 

those in the PPV ventilated test (Figures A-155, A-156). This was also due to the air 

flowing past the fire room to the vent and not through the fire room. Oxygen 

concentrations in both tests were approximately 15 % at the time of ventilation and the 

increased to 17 % more rapidly in the naturally ventilated test than in the PPV ventilated 

test; however in the PPV ventilated test, ambient oxygen concentrations were attained 

sooner. 

In this configuration, the naturally ventilated fire caused an increase in the stairwell 

pressure of 10 Pa (0.0015 lb/in2

), while the PPV ventilated test caused an increase of over 

21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2

) (Figure A-181). The PPV generated pressure fluctuated between 

14 Pa (0.002 lb/in2

) and 28 Pa (0.004 lb/in2) while the fan was running. This was the 

highest pressure generated with D1 and W8 used as ventilation locations. 

3.4 Configuration 4 (Tests 9, 10) 

In the fourth configuration, the fire was on the second floor in room R22 with the same 

window used for ventilation as the previous configuration (W8) (Figure 23). In this 

configuration, the fire was directly in the path of the ventilation flow with one room 
27

downstream of the fire. This ventilation scenario was considered incorrect because the 

combustion products had to flow through room R23 prior to ventilation. 

Figure 23. Configuration 4 Layout 

Maximum temperatures in the fire room were just over 700  ̊C (1290  ̊F) during the 

naturally ventilated test and 800  ̊C (1492  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test. The maximum 

temperatures in the two rooms adjacent to the fire room, R23 and R21, were 350  ̊C 

(662  ̊F) and 340  ̊C (644  ̊F) for the naturally ventilated test, and 480  ̊C (896  ̊F) and 

410  ̊C (770  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test respectively (Figure A-4). 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, maximum 

temperatures were significantly higher in the fire room (R22), and the room between the 

fire room and the ventilation window (R23) for the PPV ventilated test. The maximum 

temperatures for the naturally ventilated test in R22 and R23 were 160  ̊C (320  ̊F) and 

120  ̊C (248  ̊F) respectively; while the temperatures in the PPV ventilated test were 

360  ̊C (680  ̊F) and 330  ̊C (626  ̊F) (Figure A-18). The maximum temperatures at 

0.61 m (2 ft) in the other rooms on the second floor, R21 and R24, were lower than the 

100  ̊C (212  ̊F) threshold for victim incapacitation. 

High temperatures existed in the fire room at the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters 

may have been operating, for both tests in this configuration. The maximum fire room 

temperatures in both the naturally and PPV ventilated fires were just over 500  ̊C 

(932  ̊F). The maximum temperature in room R23 was 333  ̊C (631  ̊F) for the naturally 

ventilated test and 421  ̊C (790  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test. The maximum 

temperatures in the fire room and room R23 all exceeded the 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) threshold, 

while the maximum temperatures in room R21 were below the threshold for both tests 

(Figure A-32). 

The rate of temperature increase and the maximum fire room temperatures were greater 

in the PPV ventilated test than in the naturally ventilated test (Figures A-49, A-50). After 
28

ventilation for the naturally ventilated scenario, the rate of temperature increase was 

3.80  ̊C/s (6.84  ̊F/s) while in the PPV ventilated test, the rate of temperature increase was 

5.30  ̊C/s (9.54  ̊F/s). 

Air velocities prior to ignition ranged between 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) into the window and 

1.5 m/s (4.9 ft/s) out of the window. When the fan was turned on, the velocity became 

unidirectional out of the window with velocities ranging between 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) and 

3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s). The larger velocities were observed on the right side of the window as 

viewed from the exterior (Figures A-77, A-78). The velocities after ventilation with the 

naturally ventilated fire showed a strong bidirectional flow. The velocity into the room at 

the bottom of the window fluctuated between 0.0 m/s (0.0 ft/s) to 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s), while 

the flow in the top two thirds of the window was outwards with velocities ranging from 

1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) to 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s) (Figure A-101). Once the fan was turned on during 

the PPV ventilated test, the velocity became unidirectional out of the window at 

2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) to 5.0 m/s (16.4 ft/s) (Figure A-102). The higher velocities were still 

out of the top third of the window indicating the buoyancy from the hot fire gasses was 

increasing the flow in the top of the window. 

The door (P4) flows indicated that once the vent opened during the naturally ventilated 

test, the neutral plane between flow into and out of the room was located near the center 

of the doorway. In the PPV ventilated test, the neutral plane was near the top of the door. 

The flow fluctuated between completely unidirectional into the room at 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) 

to partial flow out the top of the door at 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) (Figures A-129, A-130). 

The oxygen concentration in these tests dropped to between 8 % and 10 % at the time of 

ventilation. Once ventilation occurred, the concentration at the lower level of the 

naturally ventilated test began to steadily increase to 21 %, while the upper concentration 

declined to 5 % before returning to ambient. The concentrations at both levels in the 

PPV ventilated test quickly declined to less than 5 % before returning to ambient. In this 

test, once the concentrations began to return to ambient, they did so rather quickly and at 

the same rate (Figures A-157, A-158). The concentrations in the ventilated test differed 

at the two levels. In the PPV ventilated test the concentrations were nearly the same due 

to the mixing of the combustion products, which formed a more uniform environment in 

the fire room. 

The differential pressures in the stairwell increased from 14 Pa (0.002 lb/in2

) to 21 Pa 

(0.003 lb/in2

) for the naturally ventilated scenario. For the PPV ventilated scenario, the 

pressure in the stairwell increased to 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2

) and fluctuated between 7 Pa 

(0.001 lb/in2

) and 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2) while the fan was operating (Figure A-182). After 

ventilation in both scenarios, the pressure remained nearly constant for the duration of the 

test. 

3.5 Configuration 5 (Tests 11, 12) 

In the fifth configuration, the fire was located in room R24 and was ventilated through 

window W8 (Figure 24). In this configuration, like configuration 3, the principal flow 

was from the first floor door (D1) past the fire room. Configuration 5 was also an 

incorrect ventilation scenario. 
29

Figure 24. Configuration 5 Layout 

The maximum temperature in the fire room for the PPV ventilated test was 800  ̊C 

(1470  ̊F) and was 150  ̊C (270  ̊F) above that of the naturally ventilated test. All of the 

other maximum temperatures on the second floor were within 30  ̊C (54  ̊F) of each other 

with PPV generated temperatures higher in R21 and lower in R22 and R23. First floor 

temperatures remained near ambient during both tests (Figure A-5). 

 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, there was a significant 

increase in the fire room temperature for the PPV ventilated test. The maximum 

temperature in the fire room for the naturally ventilated test was 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) and the 

maximum temperature for the PPV ventilated test was 680  ̊C (1256  ̊F) or an increase of 

almost 400  ̊C (720  ̊F). Both temperatures were well above the 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) 

incapacitation threshold. The maximum temperatures in all of the other rooms on the 

second floor were below the threshold temperature even though the use of a PPV fan 

caused temperature increases of approximately 20  ̊C (36  ̊F) from the naturally ventilated 

maximum temperatures of 80  ̊C (176  ̊F) (Figure A-19). 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, the maximum 

fire room temperature for the naturally ventilated test was 560  ̊C (1040  ̊F) and the 

maximum temperature for the PPV ventilated test was 720  ̊C (1330 ̊F). These 

temperatures were well above the threshold temperature of 300  ̊C (572  ̊F). All of the 

other maximum temperatures were below the threshold temperature for both ventilation 

scenarios (Figure A-33). 

The temperatures in the naturally ventilated test increased at a rate of 1.17  ̊C/s 

(2.11  ̊F/s) while the temperatures in the PPV ventilated test increased at a rate of 

4.22  ̊C/s (7.60  ̊F/s) (Figures A-51, A-52). The temperatures in the fire room were more 

uniform immediately after ventilation during the PPV ventilated test. 

Without the fire and without the fan, there was no airflow through the window (Figure 

A-79). When the fan was used, the velocity out the window (W8) rose to between 
30

1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) and 3.5 m/s (11.5 ft/s), with the higher velocities at the top-right portion 

of the window (Figure A-80). After ventilation, the window velocities in the naturally 

ventilated test produced a bidirectional flow of 0.5 m/s (1.6 ft/s) to 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) out 

of the top two thirds of the window and 0.0 m/s (0.0 ft/s) to 1.5 m/s (4.9 ft/s) into the 

bottom third of the window (Figure A-103). In the PPV ventilated test, there was a 

unidirectional flow out of the window with a magnitude of 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) to 

4.0 m/s (13.1 ft/s) (Figure A-104). 

 

Door (P3) flows remained bidirectional after ventilation in both the naturally ventilated 

test and the PPV ventilated test. After the initial fluctuation when ventilation was started, 

the velocities in both tests were of a similar magnitude, indicating the flow from the PPV 

fan was largely though the room outside the fire room and did not have a significant 

impact on the flow into the fire room (Figures A-131, A-132). 

The oxygen concentration in both tests dropped to between 14 % and 16 % at the time of 

ventilation. Once ventilation occurred, the concentration at the lower level for the 

naturally ventilated test fluctuated but never dropped below 10 %, while the 

concentration at the upper level declined to 6 % before returning to ambient level 

(Figures A-159, A-160). The concentrations at both levels in the PPV ventilated test 

quickly reached 20 % after fan started before they declined to as low as 2 % then quickly 

returned to near ambient levels. Changes in the oxygen concentration in the naturally 

ventilated test occurred more gradually than in the PPV ventilated test, especially as the 

fire grew after ventilation. 

The differential pressures in the stairwell increased to 7 Pa (0.001 lb/in2

) for the naturally 

ventilated scenario. For the PPV ventilated test the pressure in the stairwell rose to 21 Pa 

(0.003 lb/in2

) and averaged 17 Pa (0.0025 lb/in2) while the fan was operating (Figure 

A-183). After ventilation in the naturally ventilated test, the pressure rose gradually to 

the maximum while in the PPV ventilated test, the maximum pressure was reached 

rapidly. 

3.6 Configuration 6 (Tests 13, 14) 

In the sixth configuration, both the fire and the vent were on the first floor (Figure 25). 

The fire was in the large room (R11) and the vent (W4) was in R13 on the side of the 

building opposite the fan. The door to the second floor (D5) was open in this 

configuration. This was an incorrect ventilation scenario since the products of 

combustion had to flow through rooms R12 and R13 prior to exiting the building. 
31

Figure 25. Configuration 6 Layout 

The maximum temperature in the fire room for the naturally ventilated test reached 

520  ̊C (970  ̊F) while maximum temperature in the PPV ventilated test was 80  ̊C 

(144  ̊F) higher. In the two other rooms on the first floor, the maximum temperatures in 

the PPV ventilated test were slightly higher while on the second floor, the maximum 

temperatures in the naturally ventilated test were slightly higher (Figure A-6). 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, for the naturally 

ventilated test the maximum temperature in the fire room was 111  ̊C (232  ̊F) and 114  ̊C 

(237  ̊F) in the adjacent room (R12). The temperatures in both rooms were above the 

incapacitation threshold temperature of 100  ̊C (212  ̊F). In the room with the ventilation 

window (R13), the maximum temperature was 90  ̊C (194  ̊F), which was below the 

threshold. In the test with PPV ventilation, the maximum temperature in the fire room 

was 160  ̊C (320  ̊F), in room R12 was 175  ̊C (347  ̊F), and in room R13 was 170  ̊C 

(338  ̊F) (Figure A-20). The maximum temperatures in all of the rooms exceeded the 

threshold temperature and were significantly higher than those with natural ventilation. 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, for the naturally 

ventilated test the maximum temperature was 474  ̊C (885 ̊F) in the fire room, 208  ̊C 

(406  ̊F) in the adjacent room (R12), and 135  ̊C (275  ̊F) in room R13. For the PPV 

ventilated test the maximum temperature was 357  ̊C (675  ̊F) in the fire room, 210  ̊C 

(410  ̊F) in the adjacent room (R12), and 190  ̊C (374  ̊F) in room R13. Although the use 

of the fan resulted in a decrease in the maximum fire room temperature of 117  ̊C 

(211  ̊F) the maximum temperature was above the 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) threshold for both 

ventilation techniques; however, the temperature was below the threshold in the other 

first floor rooms (Figure A-34). 

The rate of temperature increase was nearly three times greater in the PPV ventilated test 

than in the naturally ventilated test (Figures A-53, A-54). After ventilation, the rate of 

temperature increase in the naturally ventilated test was 0.61  ̊C/s (1 .10  ̊F/s) while in the 
32

PPV ventilated test the rate of temperature increase was 1.87  ̊C/s (3.37  ̊F/s). The 

maximum temperature in the PPV ventilated test was approximately 100  ̊C (180  ̊F) 

greater than in the naturally ventilated test but the temperature prior to ventilation was 

approximately 150  ̊C (270  ̊F) higher than in the naturally ventilated test and was 

sustained for a longer period of time. 

Air velocities without the fire and without the fan through the window (W8) ranged 

between 0.0 m/s (0.0 ft/s) and 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) (Figure A-81). When the fan was used, 

the velocity out the window rose to between 0.5 m/s (1.6 ft/s) and 3.5 m/s (11.5 ft/s), with 

the higher velocities at the top portion of the window (Figure A-82). After ventilation, 

the naturally ventilated fire produced a bidirectional flow with velocities of 

1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) to 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s) out of the top two thirds of the window and 

0.0 m/s (0.0 ft/s) to 1.5 m/s (4.9 ft/s) into the bottom third of the window (Figure A-105). 

In the PPV ventilated test, there was unidirectional flow out of the window with a 

magnitude of 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) to 4.0 m/s (13.1 ft/s) (Figure A-106). 

 

Door (D2) velocities in the naturally ventilated test were unidirectional for a short period 

of time after ventilation before becoming bidirectional (Figure A-133). In the PPV 

ventilated test, the flow was largely unidirectional with fluctuations at the top of the door 

to flow out of the room (Figure A-134). 

The oxygen concentrations in the naturally ventilated test did not drop significantly 

during the test because they were influenced by the fresh air pulled in through D1. The 

concentration at the lower level was 19 % at the time of ventilation and quickly returned 

to 21 %. It then fluctuated, dropping to as low as 17 % as the fire intensified. The 

concentration at the upper level was 18 % when ventilation started and slowly declined to 

14 % before returning to ambient (Figure A-161). The oxygen concentrations in the PPV 

ventilated test were generally lower. The concentrations at the upper and lower levels 

followed similar profiles from ventilation until the end of the test. At the time of 

ventilation, the upper level concentration was 13 %, then grew to 18 %, dropped to 10 % 

and finally returned to 19 %. The concentration of the lower level followed the upper 

level concentration although 2 % to 4 % higher (Figure A-162). 

The differential pressure in the stairwell for the naturally ventilated test slowly increased 

from 0 Pa (0.0 lb/in2

) to an average maximum pressure of 14 Pa (0.002 lb/in2). In the 

PPV ventilated test, the pressure rapidly increased to 28 Pa (0.004 lb/in2

) and slowly 

declined to 17 Pa (0.0025 lb/in2

) (Figure A-184). 

3.7 Configuration 7 (Tests 16, 17) 

This configuration used the same ventilation scenario as configuration 6 with the fire in 

R11, venting through W4 (Figure 27). The difference was the closing of the door to the 

second floor (D5). This configuration was used to evaluate the issue of restricting flow to 

areas of the building unaffected by the fire. This was an incorrect ventilation scenario 

since the products of combustion had to flow through rooms R12 and R13 prior to exiting 

the building. 
33

Figure 26. Configuration 7 Layout 

The maximum temperatures reached nearly 600  ̊C (1112  ̊F) in the fire room in both 

tests. In all three rooms on the first floor, the maximum temperatures in both the 

naturally ventilated and PPV ventilated tests were within 40  ̊C (72  ̊F). The maximum 

temperature at the top of the third floor stairwell was slightly higher for the naturally 

ventilated test (Figure A-7). 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, for the naturally 

ventilated test the maximum temperature in the fire room was 151  ̊C (304  ̊F) and 106  ̊C 

(223  ̊F) in the adjacent room (R12). The temperatures in both rooms were above the 

incapacitation threshold temperature of 100  ̊C (212  ̊F). In the room with the ventilation 

window (R13), the maximum temperature was 98  ̊C (208  ̊F), which was just below the 

threshold. In the test with PPV ventilation, the maximum temperature in the fire room 

was 151  ̊C (304  ̊F), in room R12 was 173  ̊C (343  ̊F) and in room R13 was 159  ̊C 

(318  ̊F) (Figure A-21). The maximum temperatures in all of the rooms exceeded the 

threshold temperature and were significantly higher than those with natural ventilation. 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, the maximum 

temperatures were nearly the same as those in configuration 6. The maximum 

temperature in the fire room in the naturally ventilated test was approximately 150  ̊C 

(270  ̊F) higher than in the PPV ventilated test, but in both scenarios the temperatures 

were above the 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) threshold temperature. The maximum temperature in 

both of the other rooms on the first floor remained below the threshold (Figure A-35). 

The temperatures in the naturally ventilated test increased at a rate of 1.41  ̊C/s 

(2.54  ̊F/s) while the temperatures in the PPV ventilated test increased at a rate of 

1.11  ̊C/s (2.00  ̊F/s). The temperature at the 1.22 m (4 ft) height was lower in the PPV 

ventilated test as compared with the naturally ventilated test, which was similar to the 

temperature pattern in configuration 6 (Figures A-55, A-56). 
34

For the naturally ventilated test, there was nearly zero flow through the window (W4) 

prior to the fire. For the test with the PPV ventilated test, the velocity ranged from 

1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) to 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s) out of the window (Figures A-83, A-84). When the 

fire was vented during the naturally ventilated test, the flow was bidirectional with flow 

out the top third of the window at 1.5 m/s (4.9 ft/s) and flow into the bottom third of the 

window at 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s). The flow in the center of the window started out of the room 

and then fluctuated between inflow and outflow (Figure A-107). The flow in the PPV 

ventilated test was unidirectional out of the room after the window was opened, with an 

average velocity of 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s) (Figure A-108). 

The door (D2) velocities of the naturally ventilated test were bidirectional with the flow 

out the top of the door decreasing as the fire progressed. In the PPV ventilated test, the 

flow was initially unidirectional then the flow at the top of the door began fluctuating in 

and out of the room (Figures A-135, A-136). 

Oxygen concentrations for the naturally ventilated test at the time of ventilation were 

14 % at the lower layer and 12 % at the upper layer. The concentration at the upper 

location initially increased, then as the fire grew, decreased to a minimum of 10 % before 

returning to ambient. The concentration at the lower location increased at slower rate 

until it reached 21 % (Figure A-163). For the PPV ventilated test, the concentration was 

approximately 17 % at the time of ventilation. The concentration at both locations 

quickly rose to 21 % and remained there for some time before declining. The 

concentration at the lower level decreased slightly while the concentration at the upper 

level decreased to 10 % before slowly rising to 20 % (Figure A-164). 

The differential pressures in the stairwell for both tests were very similar. After 

ventilation, the pressure increased to slightly above 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2

) then slowly 

decreased to 14 Pa (0.002 lb/in2

) by the end of the test. The pressures in the PPV 

ventilated test were only slightly above those of the naturally ventilated test 

(Figure A-185). 

3.8 Configuration 8 (Tests 18, 19) 

Configuration 8 used the same fire room (R11) as configurations 6 and 7, but the vent 

was a window (W1) in the fire room on the front of the building. This configuration was 

unique in that the fire, fire room door, vent window and PPV fan were all in close 

proximity. Even though the ventilation flow was not past the fire but to a window 

located next to the fire, this was a correct ventilation scenario for room R11. 
35

Figure 27. Configuration 8 Layout 

The maximum temperatures in the naturally ventilated test were less than those in the 

PPV ventilated test throughout the entire structure. In the fire room, the maximum 

temperature in the naturally ventilated test was 510  ̊C (950  ̊F) while the temperature in 

the PPV ventilated test was 570  ̊C (1058  ̊F). The maximum temperatures in the second 

floor rooms for the naturally ventilated test were typically 25  ̊C (45  ̊F) lower than those 

in the PPV ventilated test (Figure A-8). 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, for the naturally 

ventilated test the maximum temperature in the fire room was 138  ̊C (280  ̊F), 104  ̊C 

(219  ̊F) in room R12, and 101  ̊C (214  ̊F) in room R13. In the test with PPV ventilation, 

the maximum temperature in the fire room was 161  ̊C (322  ̊F), in room R12 was 140  ̊C 

(284  ̊F) and in room R13 was 138  ̊C (280  ̊F) (Figure A-22). The temperatures in all the 

rooms for both tests were above the incapacitation threshold temperature of 100  ̊C 

(212  ̊F). The temperatures were similar to those in configurations 6 and 7 even though 

there was no open vent in the adjacent rooms. 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, the temperatures 

in all of the rooms on the first floor were below the 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) threshold 

temperature. The maximum temperature in the fire room in the naturally ventilated test 

was 138  ̊C (280  ̊F) and 234  ̊C (453  ̊F) in the PPV ventilated test. Unlike 

configurations 6 and 7, the maximum fire room temperature was higher in the PPV 

ventilated test (Figure A-36). 

The temperatures in the naturally ventilated test increased at a rate of 0.45  ̊C/s 

(0.81  ̊F/s) while the temperatures in the PPV ventilated test increased at a rate of 

1.94  ̊C/s (3.49  ̊F/s). The temperature at the 1.22 m (4 ft) height was lower in the 

naturally ventilated test as compared to the PPV ventilated test, which was the reverse of 

the temperature pattern in configurations 6 and 7 (Figures A-57, A-58). 
36

For the naturally ventilated test, there was a small flow into the lower third of the window 

(W1) prior to the fire. For the test with the fan, a failure occurred and no velocity data 

was recorded (Figures A-85, A-86). For the naturally ventilated test, a strong 

bidirectional flow developed with the fire. There was an average velocity of 

1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) into the room at the bottom of the window, while in the top two thirds of 

the window the flow was out of the room with velocities ranging from 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) 

to 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s) (Figure A-109). During the PPV ventilated test, the instrumentation 

failure continued so there was no comparative data (Figure A-110). 

The door (P3) velocities for the naturally ventilated test indicate that a neutral plane 

existed near the center of the doorway. For the PPV ventilated test, the flow fluctuated 

across the entire door. (Figures A-137, A-138) 

Oxygen concentrations in the naturally ventilated test did not decrease significantly. The 

concentration at the lower layer was 20 % at the time of ventilation, and quickly returned 

to 21 % and then fluctuated to as low as 18 % as the fire intensified. The concentration at 

the upper layer was 19 % when ventilation started then slowly declined to 13 % before it 

increased (Figure A-165). The concentration in the PPV ventilated test was lower. At 

the time of ventilation, the concentration at the upper layer was 13 %, and grew to 16 %, 

dropped to 10 % and finally recovered to 17 % by the end of the test. The concentration 

at the lower layer remained 2 % to 4 % higher as the fire grew and then followed the 

upper level concentration for the duration of the test (Figure A-166). 

The differential pressure in the stairwell for the naturally ventilated test slowly increased 

from 0 Pa (0.0 lb/in2

) to a maximum pressure of 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2), then slowly 

decreased to 7 Pa (0.001 lb/in2

) as the fire burned to completion. The pressure in the 

PPV ventilated test increased to 34 Pa (0.005 lb/in2

) quickly and fluctuated between 

21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2

) and 34 Pa (0.005 lb/in2) reaching the maximum range of the pressure 

transducer at times (Figure A-186). 

3.9 Configuration 9 (Tests 20, 21) 

In the ninth configuration the fire was on the second floor in room R24 (Figure 28). The 

vent was through window (W10) located in the back of room R24. Since the combustion 

products did not flow through adjacent rooms, this was considered a correct ventilation 

scenario. The incorrect ventilation scenario with the fire in room R24 was 

configuration 5. 
37

Figure 28. Configuration 9 Layout 

This was the first configuration where the fire room maximum temperatures were slightly 

higher for the naturally ventilated test. The maximum fire room temperature for the 

naturally ventilated test was 680  ̊C (1260  ̊F) while the maximum temperature in the 

PPV ventilated test was 660  ̊C (1220  ̊F). The maximum temperatures in the other 

rooms on the second floor and top of the stairwell were similar for the two tests (Figure 

A-9). 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, the maximum 

temperature in the fire room was 280  ̊C (536  ̊F) in the naturally ventilated test and 

310  ̊C (590  ̊F) in the PPV ventilated test. These temperatures were above the 100  ̊C 

(212  ̊F) incapacitation threshold. The temperatures in all of the other rooms on the 

second floor were just below the threshold temperature for both ventilation methods 

(Figure A-23). 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, the maximum 

temperature in the naturally ventilated test was 550  ̊C (1022  ̊F) and 560  ̊C (1040  ̊F) in 

the PPV ventilated test. These temperatures were well above the threshold temperature 

of 300  ̊C (572  ̊F). All of the maximum temperatures in the other second floor rooms 

were below the threshold for both ventilation scenarios (Figure A-37). 

After ventilation, the rate of temperature increase for the naturally ventilated test was 

3.31  ̊C/s (5.96  ̊F/s) while the rate of increase for the PPV ventilated test was nearly the 

same at 3.33  ̊C/s (5.99  ̊F/s). The temperature profiles were also similar for the two tests 

(Figure A-59, A-60). 

Prior to the naturally ventilated test, there were small flows out the window (W10). For 

the PPV ventilated test, the velocity fluctuated between in and out flow. With the fan 

operating, the flow out the window ranged between 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) to 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s) 

(Figures A-87, A-88). These were the first tests in which the flow measurement devices 

were mounted in the reverse direction. For these tests and all remaining tests, positive 
38

flow was out of the window and negative flow into the window. In the naturally 

ventilated test, after the fire was vented, the flow in the top third of the window was 

outward at 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) to 4.0 m/s (13.1 ft/s), the flow in the bottom third was into 

the room at 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) to 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) and the flow in the center of the window 

fluctuated between inflow and outflow (Figure A-111). During the PPV ventilated test, 

the flow became unidirectional out of the window at an average velocity of 3.0 m/s 

(9.8 ft/s) (Figure A-112). The flow decreased with time as the intensity of the fire 

decreased. 

The door (D2) flows in the naturally ventilated test indicate instrument failure and are not 

deemed reliable (Figure A-139). In the PPV ventilated test, after the vent was opened, a 

neutral plane was located near the center of the doorway with the velocities in top of the 

door approximately twice the velocities in the bottom of the door (Figure A-140). 

The oxygen concentrations dropped as low as 4 % in both scenarios but were 11 % to 

14 % at all locations at the time of ventilation. The lower location concentrations in both 

tests recovered in a similar manner while the upper level concentrations showed 

significant differences. The upper location concentration for the naturally ventilated test 

dropped to 6 % as the fire intensified, but in the PPV ventilated test the upper location 

concentration only dropped to 12 % as the maximum temperature in the fire room was 

reached (Figures A-167, A-168). 

The differential pressure in the stairwell for the naturally ventilated test fluctuated after 

ventilation but never went above 7 Pa (0.001 lb/in2

). The pressure in the PPV ventilated 

test fluctuated over the range of 0 Pa (0.0 lb/in2

) and 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2). Towards the 

end of the test, the pressure dropped to almost zero with no fire burning (Figure A-187). 

3.10 Configuration 10 (Tests 22, 23) 

Configuration 10 was similar to configuration 8 with the fire in R11 except that there was 

no window as a vent (Figure 29). The only ventilation opening and source of oxygen was 

the front door (D1). For the PPV ventilated test, the only opening for flow from the fan 

to leave the building was the door through which the flow entered the building and 

leakage from the structure. This was an incorrect ventilation scenario. 
39

Figure 29. Configuration 10 Layout 

The maximum fire room temperature for the naturally ventilated test was 530  ̊C (990  ̊F) 

and 570  ̊C (1060  ̊F) for PPV ventilated test. The maximum temperature at the top of the 

stairwell was 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) for both tests (Figure A-10). 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, for the naturally 

ventilated test the maximum temperature in the fire room was 145  ̊C (293  ̊F), 125  ̊C 

(257  ̊F) in room R12, and 122  ̊C (252  ̊F) in room R13. In the test with PPV ventilation, 

the maximum temperature in the fire room was 161  ̊C (322  ̊F), in room R12 was 140  ̊C 

(284  ̊F) and in room R13 was 138  ̊C (280  ̊F) (Figure A-22). The temperatures in all the 

first floor rooms for both tests were above the incapacitation threshold temperature of 

100  ̊C (212  ̊F). The maximum temperatures on the second floor and at the top of the 

stairwell were below the threshold and nearly equal for both ventilation scenarios (Figure 

A-24). 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, the maximum 

temperature in the fire room for naturally ventilated test was 380  ̊C (716  ̊F) and 450  ̊C 

(842  ̊F) in the PPV ventilated test, which exceeded the threshold temperature of 300  ̊C 

(572  ̊F). All of the other maximum temperatures were below the threshold temperature 

for both ventilation scenarios (Figure A-38). 

After ventilation, the rate of temperature increase for the naturally ventilated test was 

2.02  ̊C/s (3.64  ̊F/s) and 1.53  ̊C/s (2.75  ̊F/s) for the PPV ventilated test (Figures A-61, 

A-62). 

The windows remained closed throughout the tests so there were no velocities prior to the 

test. The pressures generated during the fire resulted in the indication of small flows 

through the window (W1) (Figures A-113, A-114). 
40

The flows through the door to the fire door (D2) were similar for both the naturally 

ventilated test and PPV ventilated test. In both cases, there was a bidirectional flow with 

flow into the room at the bottom of the door and out of the room at the top of the door 

(Figures A-141, A-142). 

The oxygen concentrations for these two tests were similar. At the time of ventilation the 

concentrations at both levels were between 10 % and 15 %. After ventilation in the PPV 

ventilated test, the concentrations were slightly higher before they declined. The 

concentrations in both levels in both tests increased at nearly the same rate at the end of 

the tests (Figures A-169, A-170). 

The differential pressures in the stairwell were high for both tests with this configuration. 

After ventilation, the pressure in the naturally ventilated test increased rapidly to 14 Pa 

(0.002 lb/in2

) and reached 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2) at the peak of the fire. After the peak, the 

pressure decreased to 14 Pa (0.002 lb/in2) by the end of the test. The pressure in the PPV 

ventilated test rapidly increased to 28 Pa (0.004 lb/in2

) and then continued to rise to 34 Pa 

(0.005 lb/in2

). The pressure fluctuated between 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2) and 34 Pa 

(0.005 lb/in2

) occasionally reaching the maximum range of the pressure transducer until 

the fire burned out (Figure A-188). 

3.11 Configuration 11 (Tests 24, 25) 

In the eleventh configuration is the correct ventilation scenario corresponding to the 

incorrect ventilation scenario in configuration 4 (Figures 30 and 23). The fire was 

located in room R22 and the ventilation was out window W7 on the side of room R22. 

Figure 30 Configuration 11 Layout 

The maximum fire room temperature for the naturally ventilated test was 680  ̊C 

(1256  ̊F), which was slightly higher than the maximum temperature of 640  ̊C (1184  ̊F) 

for the PPV ventilated test (Figure A-11). 
41

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, for the naturally 

ventilated test the maximum temperature in the fire room was 270  ̊C (518  ̊F) and 200  ̊C 

(392  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test. In the naturally ventilated test, the maximum 

temperatures for all rooms on second floor were all above the 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) 

incapacitation threshold. In the PPV ventilated test, the temperature in two of the rooms, 

R21 at 87  ̊C (189  ̊F) and R24 at 90  ̊C (194  ̊F), were below the threshold temperature 

(Figure A-25). 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, the maximum 

temperature in the fire room for the naturally ventilated test was 532  ̊C (990  ̊F) and 

465  ̊C (869  ̊F) in the PPV ventilated test. The temperature was above the 300  ̊C 

(572  ̊F) threshold for both tests. Maximum temperatures at this height in the other 

rooms on the second floor were slightly higher for the naturally ventilated test but were 

below the threshold temperature for both tests (Figure A-39). 

The rate of temperature increase in the naturally ventilated test was 1.11  ̊C/s (2.00  ̊F/s), 

while the rate in the PPV ventilated test was 2.69  ̊C/s (4.84  ̊F/s). (Figures A-63, A-64). 

For the naturally ventilated test, air velocities without the fire and without the fan through 

the window (W7) ranged between 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) out of the room and 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s) 

into the room (Figure A-89). When the fan was used, the velocity out the window 

became unidirectional at 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) and 4.0 m/s (13.1 ft/s) (Figure A-90). After 

ventilation of the fire in the naturally ventilated test, the window velocities fluctuated 

greatly producing both a unidirectional flow out of the room and bidirectional flow 

(Figure A-115). In the PPV ventilated test, the flow was unidirectional out of the 

window with a magnitude of 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s) to 7.0 m/s (23.0 ft/s) (Figure A-116). 

The flow through the door (P4) to the fire room in the naturally ventilated test was 

predominantly unidirectional into the room with an average velocity of 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s). 

The flow through the top of the door showed the greatest fluctuation, reversing to flow 

out of the room part of the time. In the PPV ventilated test, the flow through the door 

was predominately into the room with an average of velocity 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s) (Figures 

A-143, A-144). 

The oxygen concentrations in both tests at the upper and lower locations were 

approximately 10 % at the time of ventilation. It took nearly twice as long for the 

concentrations in the naturally ventilated test to reach 21 % as it did for the PPV 

ventilated test, even though the upper location concentration in the PPV ventilated test 

dropped lower as the fire reached its peak (Figures A-171, A-172). 

The differential pressures in the stairwell remained approximately 0 Pa (0.0 lb/in2

) to 

7 Pa (0.001 lb/in2

) for the naturally ventilated scenario. For the PPV ventilated scenario, 

the pressure in the stairwell rose to 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2

) and mainly fluctuated between 

14 Pa (0.002 lb/in2

) and 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2) while the fan was operating (Figure A-189). 

While it took a period of time to reach the maximum pressure in the naturally ventilated 

test, the pressure grew rapidly in the PPV ventilated test. 
42

3.12 Configuration 12 (Tests 26, 27) 

In the twelfth configuration the fire was on the second floor in room R23 with the 

ventilation window (W7) in room R22 (Figure 31). This was an incorrect ventilation 

scenario since the fire was not in the flow path from door D1 to window W7. The correct 

ventilation scenario for a fire in room R23 was configuration 1 where the vent flow was 

through window W8. 

Figure 31. Configuration 12 Layout 

The maximum temperature in the fire room was 759  ̊C (1398  ̊F) for the naturally 

ventilated test and 900  ̊C (1652  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test. The maximum 

temperature in room R22 was 469  ̊C (876  ̊F) for the naturally ventilated test and 452  ̊C 

(846  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test. The maximum temperature in room R21 was 571  ̊C 

(1060  ̊F) for the naturally ventilated test and 259  ̊C (498  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test. 

The maximum temperature in room R24 was 608  ̊C (1126  ̊F) for the naturally ventilated 

test and 543  ̊C (1009  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test (Figure A-12). 

The maximum temperatures in the fire room and room R22 indicate that the temperatures 

were highest in the fire room and lower in the adjacent room. The maximum 

temperatures in rooms R21 and R24 are higher than the adjacent room except for R21 

during the PPV ventilated test. This result is unexpected in that the temperature should 

be lower in rooms farther away from the fire. A detailed examination of all of the 

temperatures revealed that prior to ventilation the temperature in the rooms decreased 

with increasing distance from the fire and the temperatures were highest near the ceiling 

and lowest near the floor. After ventilation, the fire grew to fill the fire room with 

flames. At that time, there was a rapid rise in the temperatures in rooms R21 and R24 at 

all levels. The temperatures remained high for approximately 100 s before rapidly 

returning to values approximately the equal to those before the rise. There are three 

potential explanations for this result. First is an unusual flow pattern, which seems 
43

unlikely particularly in the naturally ventilated test. The second explanation is 

combustion taking place in room R24. Unfortunately, the instrumentation was not 

designed to detect this phenomenon and, although ignition of unburned products of 

combustion would explain the rapid temperature rise, it is unlikely the temperature would 

fall as rapidly. Finally, the most likely explanation is an instrumentation failure. The 

thermocouple wire from rooms R21 and R24 passed through room R23 in route to the 

data acquisition system. Although these wires were protected from the heat, it is possible 

the high temperature in the fire room caused a false signal to be created for those 

thermocouples. Due to the uncertainty in the temperature measurements in rooms R21 

and R24, the temperatures in those rooms are not included in the discussion below. 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, for the naturally 

ventilated test the maximum temperature in the fire room was 623  ̊C 1153  ̊F), and 99  ̊C 

(210  ̊F) in room R22. In the PPV ventilated test, the maximum temperature in the fire 

room was 675  ̊C (1247  ̊F), and 113  ̊C (235  ̊F) in room R22. The temperatures in the 

fire room were well above the 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) incapacitation threshold for both tests and 

the temperatures in the adjacent room were just below the threshold in the naturally 

ventilated test and just above in the PPV ventilated test (Figure A-26). 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, the maximum 

temperature in fire room for the naturally ventilated test was 748  ̊C (1378  ̊F) and 853  ̊C 

(1567  ̊F) in the PPV ventilated test. The maximum temperature in the adjacent room 

R22 was 314  ̊C (597  ̊F) in the naturally ventilated test and 330  ̊C (626  ̊F) in the PPV 

ventilated test. The temperatures were above the 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) threshold for both 

rooms in both tests. (Figure A-40). 

The rate of temperature increase in the fire room of the naturally ventilated test was 

3.26  ̊C/s (5.87  ̊F/s). In the PPV ventilated test, the rate of temperature increase was 

slower at 2.91  ̊C/s (5.24  ̊F/s) but the maximum temperature of 900  ̊C (1652  ̊F) was 

greater than for the naturally ventilated test (Figures A-65, A-66). During both tests, it 

appeared that after ventilation there were flames throughout the room and the 

temperatures were relatively uniform from floor to ceiling. 

For the naturally ventilated test, air velocities without the fire and without the fan through 

the window (W7) were predominately between 0.5 m/s (1.6 ft/s) and 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) out 

of the window. There was a short period of time when the flow was into the room 

(Figure A-91). When the fan was operating, the flow became 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) to 

4.0 m/s (13.1 ft/s) out of the window (Figure A-92). When the fire was ventilated during 

the naturally ventilated test, the flow was predominately unidirectional out of the window 

ranging from 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) to 4.0 m/s (13.1 ft/s) (Figure A-117). There were 

however, several periods of bidirectional flow. For the PPV ventilated test, the velocity 

out of the window ranged from 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) to 6.0 m/s (19.7 ft/s), with an average 

velocity of 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s) (Figure A-118). The highest velocities were out the right 

side of the window in both tests. 

The flows through the door (P5) to the fire room were similar for both the naturally 

ventilated test and PPV ventilated test. In both cases, there was a bidirectional flow with 

flow into the room at the bottom of the door and out of the room at the top of the door. 

As the fire size decreased, the flow out the top of the door decreased (Figures A-145, 

A-146). 
44

There were significant variations in the oxygen concentrations in both tests. Prior to 

ventilation in both tests, upper location concentration decreased to less than 3 % in the 

fire room. In both tests, the concentration at both the upper and lower positions was 

approximately 13 % at the time of ventilation. Once ventilated, concentrations in the 

naturally ventilated test recovered more rapidly than in the PPV ventilated test. Air could 

enter the naturally ventilated room from the window while in the PPV ventilated test the 

air had to travel from the front door (D1). Once air reached the fire room in both tests the 

fire intensified and the oxygen concentration at the upper level decreased to 

approximately 2 %. In the naturally ventilated test, the concentration at the lower 

location decreased to 4 % while in the PPV ventilated test the lower position 

concentration remained above 12 %. After the fire reached its peak, the concentrations at 

both locations in the naturally ventilated test increased at nearly the same rate while in 

the PPV ventilated test the concentration at the upper position lagged the concentration at 

the lower level (Figures A-173, A-174). 

The differential pressure in the stairwell in the naturally ventilated test fluctuated between 

0 Pa (0 lb/in2

) and 7 Pa (0.001 lb/in2) after a spike of 24 Pa (0.0035 lb/in2) just after the 

window was opened. The pressure in the PPV ventilated test fluctuated between 7 Pa 

(0.001 lb/in2

) and 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2) for the entire duration of the test (Figure A-190). 

3.13 Configuration 13 (Tests 28, 29) 

In the thirteenth configuration the fire was located in room R21 on the second floor 

(Figure 32). Window W6 in room R21 on the front of the building was used for 

ventilation. This was the correct ventilation scenario even though the fire was not 

directly in the path of the flow from door D1 to window W6. Configuration 2 was an 

incorrect ventilation scenario for a fire in room R21. 

Figure 32. Configuration 13 Layout 
45

The maximum temperatures in the naturally ventilated test were higher than the 

temperatures in the PPV ventilated test throughout the structure. The maximum fire 

room temperature in the naturally ventilated test was 640  ̊C (1184  ̊F) as compared to 

605  ̊C (1121  ̊F) in the PPV ventilated test. The maximum temperature at the top of the 

stairwell was 20  ̊C (36  ̊F) higher in the naturally ventilated test than for the PPV 

ventilated test (Figure A-13). 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, for the naturally 

ventilated test the maximum temperature in the fire room was 146  ̊C (295  ̊F). In the 

PPV ventilated test, the maximum temperature in the fire room was 180  ̊C (356  ̊F) an 

increase of 34  ̊C (61  ̊F). All of the temperatures on the second floor, for both scenarios, 

were above the 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) incapacitation threshold ranging from 108  ̊C (226  ̊F) to 

148  ̊C (298  ̊F) (Figure A-27). 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, the maximum 

temperature in fire room for the naturally ventilated test was 504  ̊C (939  ̊F) and 453  ̊C 

(847  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test. In both the naturally and PPV ventilated tests, the 

maximum was above the 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) threshold. The maximum temperatures the 

other rooms were below 200  ̊C (392  ̊F). The maximum temperatures in the naturally 

ventilated test were slightly lower than those in the PPV ventilated test. (Figure A-41). 

After ventilation in the naturally ventilated test, the ceiling temperature in the fire room 

increased at a rate of 2.00  ̊C/s (3.60  ̊F/s). In the PPV ventilated test, the rate of increase 

was slightly greater at 2.44  ̊C/s (4.39  ̊F/s) even though the maximum temperature in 

both tests was approximately the same at just over 600  ̊C (1112  ̊F) (Figures A-67, 

A-68). 

The flow through the window (W6) prior to the fire in the naturally ventilated was 

unidirectional out of the window with a maximum velocity of 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) (Figure 

A-93). For the PPV ventilated test, without the fire the velocities were predominately out 

of the window from 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) to 4.0 m/s (13.1 ft/s) (Figure A-94). When the fire 

was ventilated during the naturally ventilated test, the flow was bidirectional with the 

flow in the top two thirds of the window out of the fire room with velocities up to 3.0 m/s 

(9.8 ft/s). The inflow to the room in the bottom third of the window had a maximum 

velocity of approximately 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) (Figure A-119). For the PPV ventilated test, 

with the fire the flow was predominately out of the room with a maximum velocity of 

7.0 m/s (23.0 ft/s). There was fluctuating flow on one side of the bottom third of the 

window with an occasional inflow of 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) (Figure A-120). 

The flow through the door (D5) to the fire room for the naturally ventilated test was 

bidirectional with the flow in the upper part of the door out of the room and the flow in 

the lower part of the door into the room. The flow out of the room ranged from 0.5 m/s 

(1.6 ft/s) to 1.5 m/s (4.9 ft/s). For the PPV ventilated test, the flow was unidirectional 

into the room with velocities from 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) to 3.0 m/s (9.9 ft/s). (Figures A-147, 

A-148). 

In both scenarios, the oxygen concentration in the upper and lower sampling locations 

was approximately 10 % at the time of ventilation. After ventilation, the concentrations 

in both test at the upper and lower positions increased at approximately the same rate 

after ventilation (Figures A-175, A-176). 
46

The differential pressure in the stairwell for the naturally ventilated test ranged between 

0 Pa (0.0 lb/in2

) and 14 Pa (0.002 lb/in2), with an average of 7 Pa (0.001 lb/in2). For the 

PPV ventilated test, the pressure in the stairwell rose to 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2

) and 

fluctuated between 14 Pa (0.002 lb/in2

) and 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2) while the fan was 

operating (Figure A-191). 

3.14 Configuration 14 (Tests 30, 31) 

The configuration 14 was unique in that it was the only scenario with vertical ventilation 

(Figure 33). The fire was located in room R11, the large room on the first floor, and 

ventilation was through the hatch at the top of the stairwell. This was an incorrect 

ventilation scenario in that the ventilation flow path from door D1 was directly up the 

stairs to the roof hatch and not through the fire room R11. 

Figure 33. Configuration 14 Layout 

The maximum fire room temperature for the naturally ventilated test was 540  ̊C 

(1000  ̊F) while the maximum temperature for the PPV ventilated test was 460  ̊C 

(860  ̊F). The maximum temperature at the top of the stairwell was approximately 100  ̊C 

(212  ̊F) for both tests (Figure A-14). 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, for the naturally 

ventilated test the maximum temperature in the fire room was 150  ̊C (300  ̊F). In the 

PPV ventilated test, the maximum temperature in the fire room was 130  ̊C (266  ̊F) a 

decrease of 20  ̊C (36  ̊F). All of the maximum temperatures for both tests on the first 

floor were above the incapacitation threshold temperature of 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) (Figure 

A-28). 
47

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, the maximum 

temperature in fire room for the naturally ventilated test was 439  ̊C (822  ̊F) and 332  ̊C 

(630  ̊F) for the PPV ventilated test. In both the naturally and PPV ventilated tests, the 

maximum was above the 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) threshold. The maximum temperatures in the 

other rooms on both floors were all below 200  ̊C (392  ̊F). The temperatures in the 

naturally ventilated test were slightly higher than those in the PPV ventilated test in all of 

the rooms (Figure A-42). 

After ventilation in the naturally ventilated test, the ceiling temperature in the fire room 

increased at a rate of 1.87  ̊C/s (3.37  ̊F/s). In the PPV ventilated test, the rate of increase 

was slightly slower at 1.77  ̊C/s (3.19  ̊F/s) (Figures A-69, A-70). 

These tests utilized the roof hatch for ventilation instead of a window used in the 

previous tests. During the naturally ventilated test with the fire, a velocity up to 

6.0 m/s (19.7 ft/s) was generated through the hatch (Figure A-121). As the fire decreased 

the flow through the hatch decreased. In the PPV ventilated test, the velocity was as high 

as 7.5 m/s (24.6 ft/s) (Figure A-122). The flow through the hatch with the fan remained 

relatively constant as the fire decreased. 

The flows through the door (D2) to the fire room were similar for both the naturally 

ventilated and the PPV ventilated test. The flow was bidirectional with the neutral 

pressure plane located at about the center of the door. The flow in the upper part of the 

door was out of the room and the flow in the lower part of the door into the room 

(Figures A-149, A-150). 

The oxygen concentration in both tests at the time of ventilation at both the upper and 

lower locations was 12 %. In the naturally ventilated test, it took approximately twice as 

long to reach ambient concentrations as it did in the PPV ventilated test. In the naturally 

ventilated test, the concentration dropped briefly after ventilation before returning to 

ambient. In the PPV ventilated test, the concentration rose steadily after ventilation until 

the fire burned to completion (Figures A-177, A-178). 

The differential pressure in the third floor stairwell for the naturally ventilated fire slowly 

increased and decreased with the fire development over a range of 7 Pa (0.001 lb/in2

) to 

10 Pa (0.0015 lb/in2

). For the PPV ventilated test, the pressure fluctuated between 14 Pa 

(0.002 lb/in2

) and 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2) after ventilation (Figure A-192). 

4.0 Comparison of Correct and Incorrect Ventilation Scenarios 

A number of the fire experiments were designed to compare correct and incorrect 

ventilation scenarios with a fire located in a given room within the structure. In this 

section, the results of configurations with correct and incorrect ventilation scenarios are 

compared. A scenario is defined as correct when the ventilation opening occurs near the 

seat of the fire and localizes the fire. Scenarios were considered incorrect when the flow 

from the fire had to pass through other rooms before reaching the vent. During actual fire 

fighting operations, the selection of a ventilation procedure will depend on additional 

factors such as access to the structure and the location of victims or fire fighters operating 

within the structure. In addition, fire fighters may not know the exact location of the fire 

prior to entering the structure. 
48

4.1 Configurations 1 and 12, Fire Room (R23) 

Configuration 1 (tests 2, 3) was the correct ventilation scenario and configuration 12 

(tests 26, 27) was an incorrect scenario. The maximum temperatures in the fire room and 

the adjacent room were higher in the incorrect scenario. The oxygen concentrations in 

the fire room were significantly lower and the window velocities higher with the 

incorrect scenario. The differential pressure at the top of the stairwell was similar in both 

scenarios. 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, the maximum 

temperature in the fire room was above the 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) incapacitation threshold in 

both configurations. The maximum temperatures in all of the other rooms were below 

the threshold temperature for both configurations except for the adjacent room R22 with 

the incorrect scenario where the temperatures just below the threshold in the naturally 

ventilated test and just above in the PPV ventilated test. 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, the maximum 

temperature in the fire room and the adjacent room R22 were above the threshold 

temperature of 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) for both configurations. The maximum temperatures in 

the other rooms were below the threshold for both configurations. 

4.2 Configurations 8 and 3/6, Fire Room (R11) 

Configuration 8 (tests 18, 19) was the correct ventilation scenario and configurations 3 

(tests 7, 8) and 6 (tests 13, 14) were incorrect scenarios. Maximum room temperatures 

were similar for all three configurations. However, the maximum temperatures at the 

1.22 m (4 ft) height were lower in the correct ventilation scenario than those in the two 

incorrect configurations. The fire room oxygen concentrations and the window velocities 

were similar in all three configurations. The stairwell differential pressure was higher in 

the correct ventilation scenario than in the two incorrect configurations. 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, the maximum 

temperature in the fire room and rooms R12 and R13 were at or above the 100  ̊C 

(212  ̊F) incapacitation threshold in both configurations with the exception of the 

temperature in room R13 for the naturally ventilated test in configuration 6 which was 

just below the threshold. The maximum temperatures in all of the other rooms were 

below the threshold temperature for both configurations with the exception of the 

temperature in room R21 for the naturally ventilated test in configuration 3, which was at 

the threshold. 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, the maximum 

temperature in fire room was below the 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) threshold for correct 

configuration and above the threshold for the incorrect configurations. The maximum 

temperatures in the other rooms were below the threshold for both configurations. 
49

4.3 Configurations 9 and 5, Fire Room (R24) 

Configuration 9 (tests 20, 21) was the correct ventilation scenario and configuration 5 

(tests 11, 12) was an incorrect scenario. These two configurations produced similar 

temperatures with the correct ventilation scenario having slightly lower temperatures in 

the rooms adjacent to the fire room. The most substantial difference was that the oxygen 

concentration in the fire room increased rapidly in the PPV ventilated tests. There was 

little difference in the ventilation velocities in the two configurations. The incorrect 

ventilation scenario resulted in slightly higher pressures at the top of the stairwell 

readings. 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, the maximum 

temperature in the fire room was above the 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) incapacitation threshold in 

both configurations. The maximum temperatures in the other rooms on the second floor 

were below the threshold temperature for both configurations. 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, the maximum 

temperature in the fire room for both configurations were above the threshold 

temperature of 300  ̊C (572  ̊F). The maximum temperatures in the other rooms were 

below the threshold for both configurations. 

4.4 Configurations 11 and 4, Fire Room (R22) 

Configuration 11 (tests 24, 25) was the correct ventilation scenario and configuration 4 

(tests 9, 10) was an incorrect scenario. The main difference between the two 

configurations were the lower temperatures in room R23 with the correct scenario, since 

the combustion products did not have to pass through room R23 in route to the vent. 

Window velocities after ventilation of the fire were greater in the correct ventilation 

scenario and the oxygen concentration in the fire room returned to near ambient levels 

sooner in the correct scenario. Stairwell pressures were nearly the same for both 

configurations. 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, the maximum 

temperature in the fire room and room R23 exceeded the 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) incapacitation 

threshold temperature in both configurations. The maximum temperature in the other 

rooms was below the threshold for victim incapacitation in both configurations. 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, the maximum 

temperature in fire room exceeded the 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) threshold for both configurations. 

Maximum temperatures in the other rooms were below the threshold temperature for both 

configurations except for the temperature in room R23 that exceeded the threshold in the 

incorrect configuration for both the naturally and PPV ventilated tests. 

4.5 Configurations 13 and 2, Fire Room (R21) 

 

Configuration 13 (tests 28, 29) was the correct ventilation scenario and configuration 2 

(tests 4, 5) was an incorrect scenario. The maximum temperatures in the rooms on 

second floor were slightly lower in the correct ventilation tests as compared to the 

incorrect tests. The fire durations in the correct ventilation tests were also less than those 
50

in the incorrect ventilation tests. The velocities out of the window were slightly higher in 

the correct ventilation configuration tests as compared to the incorrect tests. The oxygen 

concentrations were similar for all of the tests and differential pressures in the third floor 

stairwell were comparable for both configurations. 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, the temperatures in all 

of the rooms on the second floor, for both configurations were above the 100  ̊C (212  ̊F) 

incapacitation threshold. 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, the maximum 

temperature in the fire room was above the 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) threshold for both 

configurations. The maximum temperature in the other rooms was below the threshold 

for both configurations although the temperature in room R22 approached the threshold 

in the incorrect scenario PPV ventilated test. 

5.0 Uncertainty 

There are different components of uncertainty in the gas temperatures, mass of fuel 

packages, gas velocity and heat release rate data reported here. Uncertainties are grouped 

into two categories according to the method used to estimate them. Type A uncertainties 

are those which are evaluated by statistical methods, and Type B are those which are 

evaluated by other means [9]. Type B analysis of systematic uncertainties involves 

estimating the upper (+ a) and lower (- a) limits for the quantity in question such that the 

probability that the value would be in the interval (± a) is essentially 100 %. After 

estimating uncertainties by either Type A or B analysis, the uncertainties are combined in 

quadrature to yield the combined standard uncertainty. Multiplying the combined 

standard uncertainty by a coverage factor of two results in the expanded uncertainty 

which corresponds to a 95 % confidence interval (2σ). 

Components of uncertainty are tabulated in Table 6. Some of these components, such as 

the zero and calibration elements, are derived from instrument specifications. Other 

components, such as radiative cooling/heating, include past experience with 

thermocouples in high temperature fuel rich environments. 

The uncertainty in the upper layer gas temperature measurements includes radiative 

cooling in each of the experimental series, but also includes radiative heating for 

thermocouple located in the lower layer of the full-scale experiments. Pitts et al. [10] 

quantified the errors of bare bead thermocouples as ranging from 7 % in the hot upper gas 

layer to as much as 75 % in the lower layer. The potential for large errors in the lower 

layer are a function of the effective temperature of the surroundings. In cases where the 

effective temperature of the surroundings is high, the error can be more significant. 

Small diameter thermocouples were used to limit the impact of radiative heating and 

cooling. This resulted in an estimate of ±15 % total expanded uncertainty in temperature. 

Differential pressure reading uncertainty components are derived from pressure 

transducer instrument specifications. The transducers were factory calibrated and the 

zero and span of each was checked in the laboratory prior to the experiments. The 

readings from the pressure transducers were used to generate gas velocities. 
51

Load cells were utilized to measure fuel package mass. The load cell was calibrated with 

a standard mass prior to recording the mass of each fuel item. After obtaining mass data 

on each of the fuel components, items were selected at random to be reweighed in order 

to estimate repeatability. 

Each length measurement was taken carefully. However, due to some construction 

issues, such as the size and straightness of the lumber, the curves of the furniture, and the 

symmetry of the large room, the total expanded uncertainty for room dimensions was 

estimated to be 6 %. 

Weather, leakage and oxygen measurement uncertainty was referenced to each of their 

published user’s manuals. 

Table 6. Uncertainty 

Component 

Standard 

Uncertainty 

Combined 

Standard 

Uncertainty 

Total 

Expanded 

Uncertainty 

Gas Temperature 

 Calibration[11] 

 Radiative Cooling 

 Radiative Heating 

 Repeatability 1

 Random 1

± 1 % 

- 5 % to + 0 % 

- 0 % to + 5 % 

± 5 % 

± 3 % 

± 8 % ± 15 % 

Differential Pressure 

 Calibration[12] 

 Accuracy [12] 

 Repeatability 1

 Random 1

± 2 % 

± 1 % 

± 5 % 

± 5 % 

± 8 % ± 15 % 

Mass of Fuel Package 

 Zero 

 Calibration 

 Repeatability1

 Random1

± 0.02 % 

± 1 % 

± 5 % 

± 3 % 

± 6 % ± 12 % 

Length Measurements 

 Instrumentation 

 Locations 

 Furniture Dimensions 

 Fan Location 

 Room Dimensions 

 Repeatability1

 Random1

± 1 % 

± 1 % 

± 1 % 

± 1 % 

± 2 % 

± 2 % 

± 3 % ± 6 % 
52

Weather Measurements 

 Temperature[13] 

 Relative Humidity 

 Average Wind Speed 

 Wind Direction 

 Barometric Pressure 

 Repeatability1

 Random1

± 2 % 

± 2 % 

± 1 % 

± 1 % 

± 0.003 % 

± 1 % 

± 1 % 

± 3 % ± 6 % 

Leakage Measurements 

 Calibration[14] 

 Accuracy 

 Repeatability1

 Random1

± 3 % 

± 1 % 

± 5 % 

± 5 % 

± 8 % ± 15 % 

Oxygen Concentration 

Measurements 

 Calibration[15] 

 Accuracy[15] 

 Repeatability1

 Random1

± 1 % 

± 1 % 

± 5 % 

± 5 % 

± 7 % ± 14 % 

Notes: 1. Random and repeatability evaluated as Type A, other components as Type B. 

6.0 Conclusions 

In this series of experiments, a number of different fire and vent locations were used to 

compare correct and incorrect ventilation scenarios with natural and positive pressure fan 

ventilation. 

 

Based on the air velocity measurements taken prior to ignition for each test, there was 

generally a small pretest velocity through the ventilation window. On average, this value 

was approximately 0.0 m/s (0.0 ft/s) to 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s), which did not appear to 

significantly influence the results. With the PPV fan operating without a fire, the average 

velocity through the vent window was 1.5 m/s (4.9 ft/s) to 2.5 m/s (8.2 ft/s). The faninduced velocity through the vent window was essentially independent of the location of 

the window. This result was consistent with relatively small size of the structure and 

would not be expected in large structures. Using an overall average velocity of 

2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) yields a volumetric flow rate of 3.46 m3

/s (7.34 x 103 ft3/min) through 

the ventilation window. The volumetric flow rate provided by the manufacturer for the 

PPV fan is 8.56 m3

/s (18.1 x 103 ft3/min). Comparing the flow rates indicates that 40 % 

of the air moving thought the fan reached the window. The rest of the flow either did not 

enter the structure or was dissipated within the structure. 

The average velocity through the window in the tests with natural ventilation ranged from 

1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) to 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s). This demonstrates that the fire-induced flow value 

was as much as twice the pretest flow. In the naturally ventilated tests, the flow through 

the window was almost always bidirectional with outside air entering the bottom of the 

window and hot fire gasses leaving the structure through the top of the window. In many 

of the naturally ventilated tests, especially when the window was in the fire room, the 

velocity out the top of the window was nearly double the velocity into the bottom of the 

window. 
53

When the PPV fan was used at the time of ventilation, the flow velocities increased to an 

average of approximately 3.0 m/s (9.8 ft/s). This was an increase of more than 

1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s) from the natural ventilation test velocities. With the addition of the 

buoyancy produced by the fire, 62.5 % of the air moving through the fan reached the 

window. When the vent was opened without the fan operating, in most cases a 

bidirectional flow developed through the window. When the fan was started, the flow 

through the window became unidirectional through the window out of the structure. 

The result of this flow pattern was that in the naturally ventilated tests the primary source 

of oxygen for the fire would have been through the ventilation window, while in the PPV 

ventilated tests the primary source of oxygen was from the flow through the building 

generated by the fan. 

In the case where the hatch at the top of the stairwell was used as the ventilation point, 

the flow created by the fan averaged 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s) greater than that flow created in the 

naturally ventilated test. This was an increased volumetric flow of 1.7 m3

/s 

(3.5 x 103

 ft3/min). The volume of air flowing through the roof hatch was approximately 

the same as the volume of air flowing through the windows during ventilation. Since the 

fan was introducing air at the bottom of the stairwell that contained the vent hatch and the 

hatch open area was smaller than the windows, further experiments would be required to 

compare the effectiveness of horizontal and vertical vents. 

In the naturally ventilated tests, the flow thorough the door into the fire room was 

bidirectional with flow out of the room through the top of the door and into the room 

through the bottom of the door. In the PPV ventilated tests, the flow through the door 

depended on the location with respect to the vent window and the fan. When the 

ventilation window opposite the fan, a unidirectional flow was created through the 

doorway into the fire room. When the ventilation window was located so the flow from 

the fan to the window did not pass through the fire room, a bidirectional flow was 

created. With the PPV fan operating, the flow into the room in the lower third of the door 

increased, as did the outflow in the top two thirds of the door. 

The maximum fire room ceiling temperature ranged from 400  ̊C to 900  ̊C (752  ̊F to 

1652  ̊F). The average maximum temperature in the naturally ventilated tests was 600  ̊C 

(1110  ̊F) while the average maximum temperature in PPV ventilated tests was 650  ̊C 

(1200  ̊F). Maximum temperatures in the naturally ventilated tests were generally similar 

to those in the PPV ventilated tests in all of the rooms throughout the structure. There 

was only one configuration that produced a temperature difference greater than 200  ̊C 

(360  ̊F), while in most of the configurations the difference was less than 100  ̊C (180  ̊F). 

In all but four of the configurations, the maximum fire room temperature with the 

naturally ventilated fires was lower than those with the PPV ventilated fires. 

At the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where victims may have been located, in the PPV ventilated 

tests, the maximum temperature in the fire room and the rooms located in the ventilation 

path beyond the fire room were generally higher than the temperatures in the naturally 

ventilated tests. This was due to the mixing created by the fan. In the naturally 

ventilated tests, a high temperature layer formed in the upper part of the room with a 

cooler layer near the floor. In the PPV ventilated tests, the flow from the fan caused 

mixing of the layers creating higher temperatures in the lower part of the room. While 

the temperatures in the fire room and the rooms between the fire room and vent were 
54

higher with PPV ventilation, the temperatures between the fan and the fire room tended 

to be lower. This was due to outside air being forced into the structure by the fan. 

At the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may have been operating, fire room 

temperatures were as high as 700  ̊C (1290  ̊F) and exceeded the 300  ̊C (572  ̊F) in all of 

the tests. In the correct ventilation configurations, the maximum temperatures in the 

other rooms within the structure were below the threshold temperature for both 

ventilation techniques. For two incorrect ventilation configurations 4 (tests 9, 10) and 12 

(tests 26, 27) temperatures in the adjacent rooms exceeded the threshold. In 

configuration 4, the temperature in room R23 exceeded the threshold for both the 

naturally and PPV ventilated tests. In configuration 12, the temperatures in room R22 

were just below the threshold in the naturally ventilated test and just above in the PPV 

ventilated test. 

The growth of the fire after ventilation was influenced by the path the outside air traveled 

to provide oxygen to the fire. When the ventilation window was in proximity of the fire, 

usually in the correct ventilation scenarios, the initial fire growth was more rapid in the 

naturally ventilated tests. In the PPV ventilated tests, the pressure generated by the fan 

caused a unidirectional flow out of the window. The primary source of oxygen was the 

air from the fan, which had to travel from the front door, through the building to the fire 

room. This could result in an initial temperature decrease in the PPV ventilated tests 

prior to outside air reaching the fire room and provided a source of oxygen for the fire. 

Once the outside air reached the fire in the PPV ventilated tests the fan was generally able 

to deliver oxygen to the fire more effective than natural ventilation. 

In most of the tests, the PPV ventilated fires grew at a faster rate after ventilation was 

initiated. The average rate of temperature increase for the naturally ventilated tests was 

1.91  ̊C/s (3.44  ̊F/s) as compared to 2.80  ̊C/s (5.04  ̊F/s) for the PPV ventilated tests. 

The values were primarily dependent on the ventilation technique but could have been 

influenced by other factors such as variability in the fuel package and oxygen 

concentration in the fire room at the time of ventilation. The fire growth in the fuel 

package prior to ventilation was not the same for each test and the oxygen concentration 

in the fire room was not the same at the time of ventilation even though each test was 

ventilated in an oxygen-limited state. Although the fuel for the tests was stored in inside 

an unheated building prior to the tests, there was no means to control the moisture content 

of the fuel and the mass of each fuel package was not identical. 

Prior to ventilation, the differential pressures in the stairwell on the third floor landing 

were as high as 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2

) but generally approached 0 Pa (0 lb/in2) just prior to 

ventilation as the fires became oxygen limited. After ventilation, the pressures increased 

as the fires developed. In the naturally ventilated tests, after ventilation the average 

pressure increase was 7 Pa (0.001 lb/in2

). The average pressure increase in the PPV 

ventilated tests was 21 Pa (0.003 lb/in2

). With all vents closed, the PPV fan created an 

average pressure of 28 Pa to 34 Pa (0.004 lb/in2

 to 0.005 lb/in2). 

In this experimental series, a number of correct and incorrect ventilation scenarios were 

examined with both the natural and PPV ventilation with a single type of fire in a 

relatively small structure. The data indicates that using correct ventilation scenarios 

resulted in lower temperatures within the structure at the 0.61 m (2 ft) height, where 

victims may have been located, and at the 1.22 m (4 ft) height, where fire fighters may 
55

have been operating. There were only a few ventilation configurations where the 

temperatures in rooms other than the fire room exceeded the victim or fire fighter 

threshold temperatures with either ventilation technique. 

The use of PPV caused the fire to grow more quickly and in some cases created higher 

temperatures at the lower elevations within the structure. The use of PPV ventilation 

resulted in visibility improving more rapidly and in many cases cooled rooms 

surrounding the fire room. Overall, this limited series of experiments suggests that PPV 

can assist in making the environment in the structure more conducive for firefighting 

operations. 

7.0 References 

1. Tempest Technology Corporation, http://www.tempest-edge.com, January 2003. 

2. Hall, R. and Adams, B., Eds, Essentials of Fire Fighting, 4th ed., Oklahoma State 

University, Stillwater, OK, 1998, 716p. 

3. “PPA Training, Positive Pressure Attack.” Tempest Training Systems, Fresno, 

CA 2002. 

4. The SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, National Fire Protection 

Association, Quincy, MA, Third Edition 2002. 

5. Krasny, J., Rockett, J. A., and Huang, D. “Protecting Fire Fighters Exposed in 

Room Fires: Comparison of Results of Bench Scale Test for Thermal Protection and 

Conditions During Room Flashover.” Fire Technology, 5-19, 1988. 

6. Protective Clothing for Structural Firefighting, NFPA Standard 1971, National 

Fire Protection Agency, Quincy, MA 2003. 

7. National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Protection Association 101 

Life Safety Code 2003 Edition, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA 2003. 

8. Kerber, S and Walton, W. D. “Characterizing Positive pressure Ventilation Using 

Computational Fluid Dynamics.” National Institute of Standards and Technology, 

NISTIR 7065, 2003. 

9. Bryant, R.A., Ohlemiller, T.J., Johnsson, E.L., Hamins, A.H., Grove, B.S., Guthrie, 

W.F., Maranghides, A., and Mulholland, G.W., The NIST 3 MW Quantitative Heat 

Release Rate Facility, NIST Special Publication 1007, National Institute of Standards and 

Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 2003. 

10. Taylor, B. N. and C. E. Kuyatt, Guidelines For Evaluating and Expressing the 

Uncertainty of NIST Measurement Results. National Institute of Standards and 

Technology (U.S.) NIST-TN 1297; September, 20 p. 1994. 

11. Omega Engineering Inc., The Temperature Handbook, Vol. MM, pages Z-39-40, 

Stamford, CT., 2004. 
56

12. Setra Systems, Inc., Installation Guide, Setra Systems Model 264 Differential 

Pressure Transducer. Boxborough, MA., 1999. 

13. Weatherpak – 2000 User’s Manual. Coastal Environmental Systems. December 9, 

1997. 

14. Infiltec Model E-3 Blower Door User’s Manual. Falls Church, VA, 1991. 

15. Analytical – Unit Data Manual, Portable Oxygen Analyzer with Analog Output 

Meter 580A Servomex OA.580. IB-18C580, Issue 1, May 1979. 

8.0 Acknowledgments 

Appreciation is extended to Bill Twilley and Roy McLane of the Building and Fire 

Research Laboratory for their support with setting up and running the experiments. I 

would also like to thank Meredith Lawler of the United States Fire Administration for her 

support of this project. 

Figure 34. Pressure Transducer Implementation 

Figure 35. Window after Ventilation 

Figure 36. R23 Well Involved after Ventilation 
57

Fire in R23 / Vent W8

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R21 / Vent W8

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / Vent W8

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R22 / Vent W8

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R24 / Vent W8

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / Vent W4

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / Vent W4 and D5 Shut

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / Vent W1

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Figure A-5. Test 11, 12 Maximum Temperatures 

Figure A-3. Test 7, 8 Maximum Temperatures 

Figure A-1. Test 2, 3 Maximum Temperatures Figure A-2. Test 4, 5 Maximum Temperatures 

Figure A-4. Test 9, 10 Maximum Temperatures 

Figure A-6. Test 13, 14 Maximum Temperatures 

Figure A-7. Test 16, 17 Maximum Temperatures Figure A-8. Test 18, 19 Maximum Temperatures 
58

Fire in R24 / Vent W10

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / No Vent 

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R22 / Vent W7 

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R23 / Vent W7 

0

200

400

600

800

1000

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R21 / Vent W6 

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / Vent V1 

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Figure A-11. Test 24, 25 Maximum Temperatures 

Figure A-9. Test 20, 21 Maximum Temperatures Figure A-10. Test 22, 23 Maximum Temperatures 

Figure A-12. Test 26, 27 Maximum Temperatures 

Figure A-13. Test 28, 29 Maximum Temperatures Figure A-14. Test 30, 31 Maximum Temperatures 
59

Fire in R23 / Vent W8

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R21 / Vent W8

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / Vent W8

0

50

100

150

200

250

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R22 / Vent W8

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R24 / Vent W8

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / Vent W4

0

50

100

150

200

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / Vent W4 and D5 Shut

0

50

100

150

200

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / Vent W1

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Figure A-15. Test 2, 3 Max Temperatures at 0.61 m 

Figure A-17. Test 7, 8 Max Temperatures at 0.61 m 

Figure A-19. Test 11, 12 Max Temperatures at 0.61 m 

Figure A-16. Test 4, 5 Max Temperatures at 0.61 m 

Figure A-18. Test 9, 10 Max Temperatures at 0.61 m 

Figure A-20. Test 13, 14 Max Temperatures at 0.61 m 

Figure A-21. Test 16, 17 Max Temperatures at 0.61 m Figure A-22. Test 18, 19 Max Temperatures at 0.61 m 
60

Fire in R24 / Vent W10

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / No Vent 

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R22 / Vent W7 

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R23 / Vent W7 

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R21 / Vent W6 

0

50

100

150

200

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / Vent V1 

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Figure A-23. Test 20, 21 Max Temperatures at 0.61 m 

Figure A-25. Test 24, 25 Max Temperatures at 0.61 m 

Figure A-24. Test 22, 23 Max Temperatures at 0.61 m 

Figure A-26. Test 26, 27 Max Temperatures at 0.61 m 

Figure A-27. Test 28, 29 Max Temperatures at 0.61 m Figure A-28. Test 30, 31 Max Temperatures at 0.61 m 
61

Fire in R23 / Vent W8

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R21 / Vent W8

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / Vent W8

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R22 / Vent W8

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R24 / Vent W8

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / Vent W4

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / Vent W4 and D5 Shut

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / Vent W1

0

50

100

150

200

250

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Figure A-29. Test 2, 3 Max Temperatures at 1.22 m 

Figure A-31. Test 7, 8 Max Temperatures at 1.22 m 

Figure A-33. Test 11, 12 Max Temperatures at 1.22 m 

Figure A-30. Test 4, 5 Max Temperatures at 1.22 m 

Figure A-32. Test 9, 10 Max Temperatures at 1.22 m 

Figure A-34. Test 13, 14 Max Temperatures at 1.22 m 

Figure A-35. Test 16, 17 Max Temperatures at 1.22 m Figure A-36. Test 18, 19 Max Temperatures at 1.22 m 
62

Fire in R24 / Vent W10

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / No Vent 

0

100

200

300

400

500

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R22 / Vent W7 

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R23 / Vent W7 

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R21 / Vent W6 

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Fire in R11 / Vent V1 

0

100

200

300

400

500

R11 R12 R13 R21 R22 R23 R24 V1

Room

Temperature (C)

Natural

PPV

Figure A-39. Test 24, 25 Max Temperatures at 1.22 m 

Figure A-37. Test 20, 21 Max Temperatures at 1.22 m Figure A-38. Test 22, 23 Max Temperatures at 1.22 m 

Figure A-40. Test 26, 27 Max Temperatures at 1.22 m 

Figure A-41. Test 28, 29 Max Temperatures at 1.22 m Figure A-42. Test 30, 31 Max Temperatures at 1.22 m 
63

Test 2 Fire Room Temperature (R23)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open

Test 3 Fire Room Temperature (R23)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

780 1280 1780 2280

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 4 Fire Room Temperature (R21)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open

Test 5 Fire Room Temperature (R21)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

780 1280 1780 2280

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 7 Fire Room Temperature (R11)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open

Test 8 Fire Room Temperature (R11)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

780 1280 1780

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 9 Fire Room Temperature (R22)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

480 680 880 1080 1280 1480 1680

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open

Test 10 Fire Room Temperature (R22)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

780 980 1180 1380 1580 1780

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-43. Test 2 Temperature 

Figure A-45. Test 4 Temperature 

Figure A-47. Test 7 Temperature 

Figure A-44. Test 3 Temperature 

Figure A-46 - Test 5 Temperature 

Figure A-48. Test 8 Temperature 

Figure A-49. Test 9 Temperature Figure A-50. Test 10 Temperature 
64

Test 11 Fire Room Temperature (R24)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open

Test 12 Fire Room Temperature (R24)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

780 980 1180 1380 1580 1780 1980

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 13 Fire Room Temperature (R11)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open

Test 14 Fire Room Temperature (R11)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

780 980 1180 1380 1580 1780

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 16 Fire Room Temperature (R11)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

360 860 1360 1860

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open

Test 17 Fire Room Temperature (R11)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

660 860 1060 1260 1460 1660 1860

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 18 Fire Room Temperature (R11)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

360 860 1360 1860

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open

Test 19 Fire Room Temperature (R11)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

660 1160 1660 2160

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-51. Test 11 Temperature 

Figure A-53. Test 13 Temperature 

Figure A-55. Test 16 Temperature 

Figure A-52. Test 12 Temperature 

Figure A-54. Test 14 Temperature 

Figure A-56. Test 17 Temperature 

Figure A-57. Test 18 Temperature Figure A-58. Test 19 Temperature 
65

Test 20 Fire Room Temperature (R24)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

420 620 820 1020 1220 1420 1620

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open

Test 21 Fire Room Temperature (R24)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

660 860 1060 1260 1460 1660

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 22 Fire Room Temperature (R11)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

360 560 760 960 1160 1360 1560

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open

Test 23 Fire Room Temperature (R11)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

660 1160 1660 2160

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-59. Test 20 Temperature 

Figure A-61. Test 22 Temperature 

Figure A-63. Test 24 Temperature 

Test 24 Fire Room Temperature (R22)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

360 860 1360

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open

Test 25 Fire Room Temperature (R22)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

720 920 1120 1320 1520 1720 1920

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 26 Fire Room Temperature (R23)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

420 920 1420 1920

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open

Test 27 Fire Room Temperature (R23)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

720 1220 1720 2220

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-60. Test 21 Temperature 

Figure A-62. Test 23 Temperature 

Figure A-64. Test 25 Temperature 

Figure A-65. Test 26 Temperature Figure A-66. Test 27 Temperature 
66

Test 28 Fire Room Temperature (R21)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

420 620 820 1020 1220 1420 1620

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open

Test 29 Fire Room Temperature (R21)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

720 1220 1720

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 30 Fire Room Temperature (R11)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

360 860 1360 1860

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open

Test 31 Fire Room Temperature (R11)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

720 1220 1720 2220

Time (s)

Temperature (C)

3.0 m

2.4 m

1.8 m

1.2 m

0.6 m

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-67. Test 28 Temperature Figure A-68. Test 29 Temperature 

Figure A-69. Test 30 Temperature Figure A-70. Test 31 Temperature 
67

Test 2 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

0 100 200 300 400 500

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 6

Probe 5

W8 Open W8 Closed

Test 3 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W8 Open Fan On Fan Off/W8 Closed

Test 4 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

0 100 200 300 400 500

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W8 Open W8 Closed

Test 5 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W8 Open Fan On Fan Off/W8 Closed

Test 7 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

0 100 200 300 400 500

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W8 Open W8 Closed

Test 8 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W8 Open Fan On Fan Off/W8 Closed

Test 9 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

0 100 200 300 400 500

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W8 Open W8 Closed

Test 10 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W8 Open Fan On Fan Off/W8 Closed

Figure A-71. Test 2 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-73. Test 4 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-75. Test 7 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-72. Test 3 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-74. Test 5 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-76. Test 8 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-77. Test 9 Pretest Window Velocities Figure A-78. Test 10 Pretest Window Velocities 
68

Test 11 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

0 100 200 300 400 500

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W8 Open W8 Closed

Test 12 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W8 Open Fan On Fan Off/W8 Closed

Test 14 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W4 Open Fan On Fan Off/W4 Closed

Test 16 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

0 100 200 300

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W4 Open W4 Closed

Test 17 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

0 100 200 300 400 500 600

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W4 Open Fan On Fan Off/W4 Closed

Test 18 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-1

0

1

2

0 100 200 300

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W1 Open W1 Closed

Test 19 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-1

0

1

2

0 100 200 300 400 500

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W8 Open Fan On

Probe Problems / 

Inaccurate Data

Test 13 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

0 100 200 300 400 500

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W4 Open W4 Closed

Figure A-79. Test 11 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-81. Test 13 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-83. Test 16 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-80. Test 12 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-82. Test 14 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-84. Test 17 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-85. Test 18 Pretest Window Velocities Figure A-86. Test 19 Pretest Window Velocities 
69

Test 24 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

0 100 200 300

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W7 Open W7 Closed

Test 21 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

0 100 200 300 400 500 600

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W10 Open Fan On Fan Off/W10 Closed

Test 25 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W7 Open Fan On Fan Off/W7 Closed

Test 27 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W7 Open Fan On Fan Off/W7 Closed

Test 28 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

0 100 200 300 400

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W6 Open W6 Closed

Test 29 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W6 Open Fan On Fan Off/W6 Closed

Test 20 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

0 100 200 300 400

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W10 Open W10 Closed

Test 26 Window Velocities (No Fire)

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

0 100 200 300 400

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

W7 Open W7 Closed

Figure A-87. Test 20 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-89. Test 24 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-91. Test 26 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-88. Test 21 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-90. Test 25 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-92. Test 27 Pretest Window Velocities 

Figure A-93. Test 28 Pretest Window Velocities Figure A-94. Test 29 Pretest Window Velocities 
70

Test 2 Window Velocities

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open

Test 3 Window Velocities

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

780 1280 1780 2280

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 4 Window Velocities

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open

Test 5 Window Velocities

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

780 1280 1780 2280

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 7 Window Velocities

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open

Test 8 Window Velocities

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

780 1280 1780

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 9 Window Velocities

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

480 680 880 1080 1280 1480 1680

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open

Test 10 Window Velocities

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

780 980 1180 1380 1580 1780

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-95. Test 2 Window Velocities 

Figure A-97. Test 4 Window Velocities 

Figure A-99. Test 7 Window Velocities 

Figure A-96. Test 3 Window Velocities 

Figure A-98. Test 5 Window Velocities 

Figure A-100. Test 8 Window Velocities 

Figure A-101. Test 9 Window Velocities Figure A-102. Test 10 Window Velocities 
71

Test 11 Window Velocities

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open

Test 12 Window Velocities

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

780 980 1180 1380 1580 1780 1980

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 13 Window Velocities

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open

Test 14 Window Velocities

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

780 980 1180 1380 1580 1780

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 16 Window Velocities

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

360 560 760 960 1160 1360 1560 1760

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open

Test 17 Window Velocities

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

660 860 1060 1260 1460 1660 1860

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 18 Window Velocities

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

360 860 1360 1860

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open

Test 19 Window Velocities

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

660 860 1060 1260 1460 1660 1860 2060

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-103. Test 11 Window Velocities 

Figure A-105. Test 13 Window Velocities 

Figure A-107. Test 16 Window Velocities 

Figure A-104. Test 12 Window Velocities 

Figure A-106. Test 14 Window Velocities 

Figure A-108. Test 17 Window Velocities 

Figure A-109. Test 18 Window Velocities Figure A-110. Test 19 Window Velocities 
72

Test 24 Window Velocities

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

360 560 760 960 1160 1360 1560 1760

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open

Test 20 Window Velocities

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

420 620 820 1020 1220 1420 1620

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open

Test 21 Window Velocities

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

660 860 1060 1260 1460 1660

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 22 Window Velocities

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

360 560 760 960 1160 1360 1560

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open

Test 23 Window Velocities

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

660 860 1060 1260 1460 1660 1860 2060

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 25 Window Velocities

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

720 920 1120 1320 1520 1720 1920

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 26 Window Velocities

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

420 920 1420 1920

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open

Test 27 Window Velocities

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

720 920 1120 1320 1520 1720 1920 2120

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-111. Test 20 Window Velocities 

Figure A-113. Test 22 Window Velocities 

Figure A-115. Test 24 Window Velocities 

Figure A-112. Test 21 Window Velocities 

Figure A-114. Test 23 Window Velocities 

Figure A-116. Test 25 Window Velocities 

Figure A-117. Test 26 Window Velocities Figure A-118. Test 27 Window Velocities 
73

Test 28 Window Velocities

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

420 620 820 1020 1220 1420 1620

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open

Test 29 Window Velocities

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

720 1220 1720

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Probe 4

Probe 5

Probe 6

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 30 Window Velocities

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

360 860 1360 1860

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Vents Open

Test 31 Window Velocities

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

720 1220 1720 2220

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-119. Test 28 Window Velocities Figure A-120. Test 29 Window Velocities 

Figure A-121. Test 30 Window Velocities Figure A-122. Test 31 Window Velocities 
74

Figure A-123. Test 2 Door Velocity (P5) 

Figure A-125. Test 4 Door Velocity (D5) 

Figure A-127. Test 7 Door Velocity (D2) 

Test 2 Fire Room Door Velocity (P5)

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open

Test 3 Fire Room Door Velocity (P5)

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

780 1280 1780 2280

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 4 Fire Room Door Velocity (D5)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open

Test 5 Fire Room Door Velocity (D5)

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

780 1280 1780 2280

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 7 Fire Room Door Velocity (D2)

-3

-2.5

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open

Test 8 Fire Room Door Velocity (D2)

-3

-2.5

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

780 1280 1780

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-124. Test 3 Door Velocity (P5) 

Figure A-126. Test 5 Door Velocity (D5) 

Figure A-128. Test 8 Door Velocity (D2) 

Figure A-129. Test 9 Door Velocity (P4) Figure A-130. Test 10 Door Velocity (P4) 

Test 9 Fire Room Door Velocity (P4)

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

480 680 880 1080 1280 1480 1680

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open

Test 10 Fire Room Door Velocity (P4)

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

780 980 1180 1380 1580 1780

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open, Fan On
75

Test 11 Fire Room Door Velocity (P3)

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open

Test 12 Fire Room Door Velocity (P3)

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

780 980 1180 1380 1580 1780 1980

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 13 Fire Room Door Velocity (D2)

-3

-2.5

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open

Test 14 Fire Room Door Velocity (D2)

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

780 980 1180 1380 1580 1780

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 16 Fire Room Door Velocity (D2)

-3

-2.5

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

360 860 1360 1860

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open

Test 17 Fire Room Door Velocity (D2)

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

660 860 1060 1260 1460 1660 1860

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-131. Test 11 Door Velocity (P3) 

Figure A-133. Test 13 Door Velocity (D2) 

Figure A-135. Test 16 Door Velocity (D2) 

Figure A-132. Test 12 Door Velocity (P3) 

Figure A-134. Test 14 Door Velocity (D2) 

Figure A-136. Test 17 Door Velocity (D2) 

Figure A-137. Test 18 Door Velocity (D2) Figure A-138. Test 19 Door Velocity (D2) 

Test 18 Fire Room Door Velocity (D2)

-1

-0.8

-0.6

-0.4

-0.2

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

420 620 820 1020 1220 1420 1620

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Test 19 Fire Room Door Velocity (D2)

-1

-0.8

-0.6

-0.4

-0.2

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

660 860 1060 1260 1460 1660

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3
76

Test 22 Fire Room Door Velocity (D2)

-3

-2.5

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

360 560 760 960 1160 1360 1560

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open

Test 23 Fire Room Door Velocity (D2)

-3

-2.5

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

660 1160 1660 2160

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-139. Test 20 Door Velocity (P3) 

Figure A-141. Test 22 Door Velocity (D2) 

Figure A-143. Test 24 Door Velocity (P4) 

Test 20 Fire Room Door Velocity (P3)

-0.5

-0.4

-0.3

-0.2

-0.1

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

360 860 1360 1860

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Test 21 Fire Room Door Velocity (P3)

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

660 1160 1660 2160

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Test 26 Fire Room Door Velocity (P5)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

360 860 1360

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Test 27 Fire Room Door Velocity (P5)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

720 920 1120 1320 1520 1720 1920

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Figure A-140. Test 21 Door Velocity (P3) 

Figure A-142. Test 23 Door Velocity (D2) 

Figure A-144. Test 25 Door Velocity (P4) 

Figure A-145. Test 26 Door Velocity (P5) Figure A-146. Test 27 Door Velocity (P5) 

Test 24 Fire Room Door Velocity (P4)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

420 920 1420 1920

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Test 25 Fire Room Door Velocity (P4)

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

720 1220 1720 2220

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3
77

Test 28 Fire Room Door Velocity (D5)

-2.5

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

420 920 1420

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open

Test 29 Fire Room Door Velocity (D5)

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

720 1220 1720

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 30 Fire Room Door Velocity (D2)

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

360 860 1360 1860

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open

Test 31 Fire Room Door Velocity (D2)

-3

-2.5

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

720 1220 1720 2220

Time (s)

Velocity (m/s)

Probe 1

Probe 2

Probe 3

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-147. Test 28 Door Velocity (D5) Figure A-148. Test 29 Door Velocity (D5) 

Figure A-149. Test 30 Door Velocity (D2) Figure A-150. Test 31 Door Velocity (D2) 
78

Test 2 Fire Room Oxygen (R23)

0

5

10

15

20

25

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open

Test 3 Fire Room Oxygen (R23)

0

5

10

15

20

25

780 1280 1780 2280

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 4 Fire Room Oxygen (R21)

0

5

10

15

20

25

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open

Test 5 Fire Room Oxygen (R21)

0

5

10

15

20

25

780 1280 1780 2280

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 7 Fire Room Oxygen (R11)

0

5

10

15

20

25

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open

Test 8 Fire Room Oxygen (R11)

0

5

10

15

20

25

780 1280 1780

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 9 Fire Room Oxygen (R22)

0

5

10

15

20

25

480 680 880 1080 1280 1480 1680

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open

Test 10 Fire Room Oxygen (R22)

0

5

10

15

20

25

780 980 1180 1380 1580 1780

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-151. Test 2 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-153. Test 4 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-155. Test 7 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-152. Test 3 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-154. Test 5 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-156. Test 8 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-157. Test 9 Fire Room Oxygen Figure A-158. Test 10 Fire Room Oxygen 
79

Test 11 Fire Room Oxygen (R24)

0

5

10

15

20

25

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open

Test 12 Fire Room Oxygen (R24)

0

5

10

15

20

25

780 980 1180 1380 1580 1780 1980

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 13 Fire Room Oxygen (R11)

0

5

10

15

20

25

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open

Test 14 Fire Room Oxygen (R11)

0

5

10

15

20

25

780 980 1180 1380 1580 1780

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 16 Fire Room Oxygen (R11)

0

5

10

15

20

25

360 860 1360 1860

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open

Test 17 Fire Room Oxygen (R11)

0

5

10

15

20

25

660 860 1060 1260 1460 1660 1860

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 18 Fire Room Oxygen (R11)

0

5

10

15

20

25

360 860 1360 1860

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open

Test 19 Fire Room Oxygen (R11)

0

5

10

15

20

25

660 1160 1660 2160

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-159. Test 11 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-161. Test 13 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-163. Test 16 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-160. Test 12 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-162. Test 14 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-164. Test 17 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-165. Test 18 Fire Room Oxygen Figure A-166. Test 19 Fire Room Oxygen 
80

Test 20 Fire Room Oxygen (R24)

0

5

10

15

20

25

420 620 820 1020 1220 1420 1620

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open

Test 21 Fire Room Oxygen (R24)

0

5

10

15

20

25

660 860 1060 1260 1460 1660

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 22 Fire Room Oxygen (R11)

0

5

10

15

20

25

360 560 760 960 1160 1360 1560

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open

Test 23 Fire Room Oxygen (R11)

0

5

10

15

20

25

660 1160 1660 2160

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 24 Fire Room Oxygen (R22)

0

5

10

15

20

25

360 860 1360

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open

Test 25 Fire Room Oxygen (R22)

0

5

10

15

20

25

720 920 1120 1320 1520 1720 1920

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 26 Fire Room Oxygen (R23)

0

5

10

15

20

25

420 920 1420 1920

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open

Test 27 Fire Room Oxygen (R23)

0

5

10

15

20

25

720 1220 1720 2220

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-167. Test 20 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-169. Test 22 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-171. Test 24 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-168. Test 21 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-170. Test 23 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-172. Test 25 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-173. Test 26 Fire Room Oxygen Figure A-174. Test 27 Fire Room Oxygen 
81

Test 28 Fire Room Oxygen (R21)

0

5

10

15

20

25

420 620 820 1020 1220 1420 1620

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open

Test 29 Fire Room Oxygen (R21)

0

5

10

15

20

25

720 1220 1720 2220

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open, Fan On

Test 30 Fire Room Oxygen (R11)

0

5

10

15

20

25

360 860 1360 1860

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open

Test 31 Fire Room Oxygen (R11)

0

5

10

15

20

25

780 1280 1780 2280

Time (s)

Oxygen (%)

Upper

Lower

Vents Open, Fan On

Figure A-175. Test 28 Fire Room Oxygen Figure A-176. Test 29 Fire Room Oxygen 

Figure A-177. Test 30 Fire Room Oxygen Figure A-178. Test 31 Fire Room Oxygen 
82

Differential Pressure in Third Floor Stairwell (R23)

-0.001

0

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Pressure (psi)

Test 2 (No Fan)

Test 3 (Fan)

Vent 2 Vent 3

Differential Pressure in Third Floor Stairwell (R21)

-0.001

0

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Pressure (psi)

Test 4 (No Fan)

Test 5 (Fan)

Vent 4 Vent 5

Differential Pressure in Third Floor Stairwell (R11)

-0.001

0

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Pressure (psi)

Test 7 (No Fan)

Test 8 (Fan)

Vent 7 Vent 8

Differential Pressure in Third Floor Stairwell (R22)

-0.001

0

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Pressure (psi)

Test 9 (No Fan)

Test 10 (Fan)

Vent 9 Vent 10

Differential Pressure in Third Floor Stairwell (R24)

-0.001

0

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Pressure (psi)

Test 11 (No Fan)

Test 12 (Fan)

Vent 11 Vent 12

Differential Pressure in Third Floor Stairwell (R11)

-0.001

0

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Pressure (psi)

Test 13 (No Fan)

Test 14 (Fan)

Vent 13 Vent 14

Differential Pressure in Third Floor Stairwell (R11)

-0.001

0

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Pressure (psi)

Test 16 (No Fan)

Test 17 (Fan)

Vent 16 Vent 17

Figure A-179. Configuration 1 Differential Pressure 

Figure A-181. Configuration 3 Differential Pressure 

Figure A-183. Configuration 5 Differential Pressure 

Differential Pressure in Third Floor Stairwell (R11)

-0.001

0

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Pressure (psi)

Test 18 (No Fan)

Test 19 (Fan)

Vent 18 Vent 19

Figure A-180. Configuration 2 Differential Pressure 

Figure A-182. Configuration 4 Differential Pressure 

Figure A-184. Configuration 6 Differential Pressure 

Figure A-185. Configuration 7 Differential Pressure Figure A-186. Configuration 8 Differential Pressure 
83

Differential Pressure in Third Floor Stairwell (R24)

-0.001

0

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

480 980 1480

Time (s)

Pressure (psi)

Test 20 (No Fan)

Test 21 (Fan)

Vent 20 Vent 21

Differential Pressure in Third Floor Stairwell (R22)

-0.001

0

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Pressure (psi)

Test 24 (No Fan)

Test 25 (Fan)

Vent 24 Vent 25

Differential Pressure in Third Floor Stairwell (R23)

-0.001

0

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Pressure (psi)

Test 26 (No Fan)

Test 27 (Fan)

Vent 26 Vent 27

Differential Pressure in Third Floor Stairwell (R21)

-0.001

0

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Pressure (psi)

Test 28 (No Fan)

Test 29 (Fan)

Vent 28 Vent 29

Differential Pressure in Third Floor Stairwell (R11)

-0.001

0

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Pressure (psi)

Test 30 (No Fan)

Test 31 (Fan)

Vent 30 Vent 31

Figure A-187. Configuration 9 Differential Pressure 

Figure A-189. Configuration 11 Differential Pressure 

Differential Pressure in Third Floor Stairwell (R11)

-0.001

0

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Pressure (psi)

Test 22 (No Fan)

Test 23 (Fan)

Vent 22 Vent 23

Differential Pressure in Third Floor Stairwell (R11)

-0.001

0

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

480 980 1480 1980

Time (s)

Pressure (psi)

Test 22 (No Fan)

Test 23 (Fan)

Vent 22 Vent 23

Figure A-191. Configuration 13 Differential Pressure Figure A-192. Configuration 14 Differential Pressure 

Figure A-188. Configuration 10 Differential Pressure 

Figure A-190. Configuration 12 Differential Pressure