Patent Publication Number: US-8967997-B2

Title: System and components for evaluating the performance of fire safety protection devices

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This patent application relates generally to systems and components for evaluating the performance of fire safety protection devices, such as sprinklers and nozzles. More specifically, this patent application relates to fire plume generators, and fluid collection systems, for evaluating the performance of fire safety protection devices under strong sprinkler and nozzle sprays. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,585 to Yu et al., the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference, relates to a sprinkler performance evaluation system for measuring the effectiveness of a sprinkler system for warehouse fire protection. The system evaluates, among other things, the actual water density (ADD) delivered by the sprinkler system through the fire plume to the top of storage stacks which have been ignited, and the prewetting density (PWD) on the commodity stacks adjacent to the ignited stacks. 
     The system disclosed in the &#39;585 patent generally includes a burner system that produces a fire plume, and a ceiling for suspending a sprinkler system above the fire plume. The system also includes a fluid collection system having a series of pans under and around the periphery of the burner system to collect fluid (e.g., water) from the sprinklers that passes through the fire plume, and/or around the fire plume. The pan collection system measures the amount and rate of fluid collected by the pans, and provides a measurement of the ADD and PWD produced by the sprinkler system. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, a burner for a fire plume generator comprises a liquid fuel nozzle directed along a first axis; a peripheral shield extending around the liquid fuel nozzle, the peripheral shield extending substantially along the first axis and defining an upper end and a lower end; and a pilot flame manifold located at or above the upper end of the peripheral shield, the pilot flame manifold defining a plurality of pilot flame outlets. 
     According to another embodiment, a fire plume generator comprises a first burner and plurality of second burners arranged around the first burner, wherein each of the first and second burners comprises a liquid fuel nozzle, a peripheral shield extending around the liquid fuel nozzle, and a pilot flame manifold located at or above an upper end of the peripheral shield; a source of liquid fuel in communication with the liquid fuel nozzles; a source of gaseous fuel in communication with the pilot flame manifolds; and a duct located below the first burner, the duct adapted to produce upward airflow toward the first burner. 
     According to yet another embodiment, a fire safety protection evaluation system comprises at least one horizontal collection device including a substantially horizontal liquid collection pan, a first storage container in communication with the horizontal liquid collection pan, and a first measuring device adapted to measure an amount of liquid in the first storage container and/or a rate of liquid entering the first storage container; at least one vertical collection device including a substantially vertical liquid collection surface defining a top edge and a bottom edge, and a trough located along the bottom edge, the vertical collection device further comprising a second storage container in communication with the trough, and a second measuring device adapted to measure an amount of liquid in the second storage container and/or a rate of liquid entering the second storage container. 
     According to yet another embodiment, a method of evaluating a fire safety protection device comprises generating a fire plume underneath at least one fire safety protection device; collecting fluid delivered from the at least one fire safety protection device to at least one substantially horizontal collection surface located underneath the at least one fire safety protection device; collecting fluid delivered from the at least one fire safety protection device to at least one substantially vertical collection surface facing the at least one substantially horizontal collection surface; and measuring the fluid collected by at least one of the substantially horizontal collection surface and the substantially vertical collection surface. 
     Further objectives and advantages, as well as the structure and function of preferred embodiments, will become apparent from a consideration of the description, drawings, and examples. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a prior art sprinkler performance evaluation system; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a burner for a fire plume generator according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the burner of  FIG. 2 , shown with a upper shield removed; 
         FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of the burner of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the burner of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the upper shield of  FIG. 2 , shown removed from the burner; 
         FIG. 7  is a back view of the upper shield of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the upper shield of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the upper shield of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fire plume generator according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an example horizontal fluid collection device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 12A  is a front view of a plurality of vertical fluid collection devices stacked multiple tiers high according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12B  is a side view of the vertical fluid collection devices shown in  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 13A  is a top view of a fire plume generator centered above an array of horizontal collection devices according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 13B  is a top view of the fire plume generator and horizontal collection devices of  FIG. 13A , shown with the collection devices offset by one collection device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. In describing embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. While specific embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference as if each had been individually incorporated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a sprinkler performance evaluation system according to applicant&#39;s prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,585 is shown. The system comprises a burner system  11  positioned at a convenient height above the building floor designed to produce a flame plume like that produced by a burning commodity stack in a warehouse. Positioned over the burner system  11  is a ceiling  13  which is supported at its four corners from steel beams  15  by means of cables  17  which are connected on pulleys  20  and connect to motorized winches  19  mounted at the bases of the four steel beams  15 . By means of the winches  19 , the vertical position of the ceiling  13  over the flame can be adjusted to different levels. (While the &#39;585 patent describes the use of cables  17  and winches  19  to adjust the ceiling height, other structures could alternatively be used, such as vertical jack screws and motors.) 
     The &#39;585 patent describes that the lower surface of the ceiling  13  is defined by refractory ceiling tiles which are supported on steel trusses. Suspended from the ceiling  13  is the sprinkler system  21  to be tested. Positioned about 6 inches beneath the burner system  11  is a pan collection system  23  containing a series of pans, some of which are positioned directly under the fire plume generated by the burner system  11  to collect the water from the sprinkler system  21  passing through the fire plume and some of which are positioned around the periphery of the burner  11  to collect the water from the sprinkler system which would wet the areas around the fire plume. The pans positioned around the periphery of the burner collect water passing around the periphery of the plume and may collect some water which passes through the flame, since some of the sprinklers may be at some distance from the vertical center line of the plume and water drops entering the plume from one side may pass through the plume and land in pans on the other side of the plume. Thermocouples  25  are deployed at strategic locations under and adjacent to the ceiling  13  to measure the fire gas temperature under and adjacent to the ceiling. 
       FIGS. 2-5  depict a burner  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The burner  100  can be used alone, or in combination with other burners, to produce a fire plume for testing a first safety protection system, such as a network of sprinklers or nozzles. Embodiments of the burner  100  can be used alone, or in combination with other burners, to produce a fire plume with a heat output over 2,500 kW. For example, according to an embodiment, the burner  100 , alone or in combination with other burners, can produce a fire plume with a heat output in the range from about 0.5 MW up to about 7.5 MW, or even greater, such as 10 MW. For ease of explanation, the term “sprinkler” will be used to refer generically to sprinklers, nozzles, and other types of fire protection safety devices that emit water or other fluids to suppress fire. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that the burner  100  may have other uses besides testing a fire safety protection system. 
     In  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of the burner  100  is shown with its upper shield  102  in place. In  FIGS. 3-5 , the burner  100  is shown, for illustration purposes, with the upper shield  102  removed. Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , the burner  100  can include a liquid fuel nozzle  104  for emitting a spray of liquid fuel, such as a heptane spray, to create a flame and induce an air flow around the liquid fuel nozzle  104 . According to alternative embodiments, the liquid fuel nozzle can use liquid fuels such as, without limitation, gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, and jet fuel. 
     The liquid fuel nozzle  104  can be directed generally along a first axis I (see  FIG. 4 ). The burner  100  can also include a peripheral shield  106  that surrounds the liquid fuel nozzle  104 . The nozzle  104  can be mounted or otherwise supported in the peripheral shield  106 , for example, using cross-members  108 A,  108 B, however, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other structures can be used to support the nozzle  104  with respect to the peripheral shield  106 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the peripheral shield  106  can have a central axis (not labeled) that is substantially aligned, or coaxial, with the first axis I of the nozzle  104 . For example, according to the embodiment shown, the peripheral shield  106  can be substantially cylindrical in shape, and can define a central axis aligned with the first axis I. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, however, that other shapes besides cylindrical are possible. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the peripheral shield  106  can include an upper end  106 A and a lower end  106 B. According to an embodiment, the upper end  106 A extends above and protects the tip of liquid fuel nozzle  104 , e.g., from air or liquid impinging from the side. According to an embodiment, the peripheral shield can define a diameter of between about 2.5″ and 3.5″, for example, about 3″, and can define a length between the upper end  106 A and the lower end  106 B of between about 2.5″ and 3.5″, for example, about 3″, however, other dimensions are possible. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , the burner  100  can also include a pilot flame manifold  110  located, for example, at or above the upper end  106 A of the peripheral shield  106 . The pilot flame manifold  110  can define a plurality of pilot flame outlets  112 , for example, for releasing a gas, such as a mixture of air and propane. According to an embodiment, the pilot flame manifold  110  can be substantially ring-shaped, and can have a plurality of pilot flame outlets  112  distributed about its upper surface. According to an embodiment, the pilot flame outlets can comprise between 16 and 56, for example, 28 micro-nozzles, evenly distributed about the pilot flame manifold  110 . Each micro-nozzle can have a diameter in the range from about 0.125″ to about 0.150″, however, other sizes and numbers of nozzles are possible. While the pilot flame manifold  110  is shown and described herein as ring-shaped, other shapes are possible, such as square, rectangular, or triangular. According to alternative embodiments, the micro-nozzles can release butane, methane, ethane, or other gasses and air/gas mixtures. 
     The pilot flame manifold  110  can be connected at or near the upper end  106 A of the peripheral shield  106 , for example, by welding, bonding, or other methods known in the art. Alternatively, the pilot flame manifold  110  can be integral with the peripheral shield  106 . The pilot flame manifold  110  can include mounting brackets  114 , such as threaded studs or other structures, for securing the upper shield  102 . The pilot flame manifold  110  can also include a coupling  116  for connection to a supply of gaseous fuel, such as a mixture of propane and air, as will be discussed in more detail below. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , an embodiment of the pilot flame manifold  110  can define an inner diameter of between about 2.5″ and 3.5″, or alternatively, between about 2.75″ and 3.25″. According to an embodiment, the inner diameter of the pilot flame manifold can be about 3″. The pilot flame manifold  110  can define an outer diameter of between about 4.5″ and 5.5″, for example, about 5″, however, other dimensions are possible. According to an embodiment, the pilot flame manifold  110  can define a height (e.g., along first axis I) of between about 0.5″ and 1.5″, for example, about 1″. The pilot flame manifold  110  can have a substantially square cross-section, as shown in  FIG. 4 , or alternatively, can have a circular cross-section, or other shape. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  in conjunction with  FIGS. 6-9 , the upper shield  102  will be described in more detail. When in place, the upper shield  102  is located on the burner  100  above the pilot flame manifold  110 . The upper shield  102  can include a first portion  102 A that extends horizontally over the pilot flame manifold  110  (e.g., substantially perpendicular to the first axis I), for example, to block water droplets or other fluids from contacting the pilot flame manifold  110 . The first portion  102 A can include a central opening  120  through which the flame generated by the burner exits. According to an embodiment, the first portion  102 A can define an outer diameter of between about 5.5″ and 6.5″, for example, about 6″, however, other dimensions are possible. According to an embodiment, the central opening  120  can define a diameter of between about 2.5″ and about 3.5″, for example, about 3″, however, other dimensions are possible. While the upper shield  102  is shown and described as being substantially cylindrical, other shapes, such as square, rectangular, and triangular are also possible. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 ,  8  and  9 , the upper shield  102  can further include a second portion  102 B that extends substantially parallel to the first axis I, for example, downward around the burner  100 . The second portion  102 B can protect the flame from being blown off the liquid fuel nozzle  104  in the event of strong air currents from the side. According to an embodiment, the second portion  102 B can include mounting slots  122 , or other structures, to mount the upper shield  102  on the burner, for example, by receiving the mounting brackets  114  located on the pilot flame manifold  110  and corresponding fasteners. The mounting slots  122  can be elongated to permit vertical adjustment of the upper shield&#39;s position with respect to the liquid fuel nozzle  102  and/or the pilot flame manifold  110 . The second portion  102 B of the upper shield  102  can also include a clearance  124  to permit passage of the coupling  116  on the pilot flame manifold  110 . According to an embodiment, the second portion  102 B of the upper shield  102  can define a height of between about 2.0″ and 4.0″, for example, about 3″, however, other dimensions are possible. 
     According to an embodiment, the underside of the first portion  102 A of the upper shield  102  can be located at a vertical distance of between about 1.5″ and about 3.0″, for example, about 2.5″, above the tip of liquid fuel nozzle  104 . Additionally or alternatively, the underside of the first portion  102 A can be located at a vertical distance of between about 0.5″ and 1.5″, or between about 0.5″ and about 1.25″ above the pilot flame outlets  112  in the pilot flame manifold  110 . According to an embodiment, the underside of the first portion  102 A of the upper shield  102  can be located at a vertical distance of about 1″ above the pilot flame outlets  112 . 
     According to an embodiment, the tip of the fuel nozzle  104  can be at a substantially vertical distance of about 0.5″ to about 2.5″ below the pilot flame outlets  112  in the pilot flame manifold  110 . According to another embodiment, the tip of the fuel nozzle  104  can be at a substantially vertical distance of about 1.0″ to about 1.5″ below the pilot flame outlets  112  in the pilot flame manifold  110 . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure, however, that the burner  100  can have other dimensions and relative distances than those specified above, for example, based on the operating conditions and desired fire plume properties. 
     According to an embodiment, the components of the burner  100 , such as, for example, the peripheral shield  106 , the manifold  110 , the nozzle  104 , and/or the upper cover  102  can be made from heavy gauge metal, such as stainless steel having a thickness of at least 11 gage. Other materials are possible, however, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , an embodiment of a fire plume generator  130  according to the present invention is shown. The fire plume generator  130  can comprise a plurality of the burners  100 , for example, as described in connection with  FIGS. 2-9 . In an embodiment, the fire plume generator  130  can comprise a first, centrally arranged burner  132  (e.g., similar to burner  100 ) and a plurality of second, peripheral burners  134  (e.g., similar to burner  100 ) arranged around the first burner  132 , for example, in a circle, however other patterns are possible. According to an embodiment, eight of the peripheral burners  134  can be arranged around the central burner  132  in an approximately 4 foot diameter circle, however, other embodiments are possible. According to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , an air discharge duct  136  can be located underneath the central burner  132 . For example, the duct  136  can comprise an 8″ duct positioned between about 10″ and 15″, for example, about 13″, below the central burner  132 . According to an embodiment, airflow through the duct  136  can be moved by a blower connected to the duct  136 , for example, by a tube. A blast gate by-pass can be used to adjust the airflow rate through the duct  136 . According to an embodiment, the blower can have a capacity of about 3,000 c.f.m. at 14 inches of water, however, other burner capacities can be used. 
     A substantially flat, deflector disk  138  can be located between the first burner  132  and the duct  136 , for example, to maintain an air recirculation zone below the first burner  132  when air is discharged from the duct  136 . Additionally or alternatively, the deflector disk  138  can serve as a flame holder to protect the flame from overpowering air currents from below. According to an embodiment, the deflector disk  138  can have a diameter of about 6.5″ and can be located about 4″ below the central burner. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , liquid fuel, such as heptane, can be supplied to each of the burners  132 ,  134 , for example, using one or more networks of pipes  140  connected to the respective liquid fuel nozzles  104 . According to an embodiment, all or a portion of the pipes  140  can comprises a double-jacketed stainless steel feed line, which allows water to pass through an annular area in the feed line to cool heptane flowing in the pipes  140 . A flow meter, such as a turbine flow meter, can be used to monitor the total heptane flow rate. 
     Gaseous fuel, such as an approximate 8-to-1 propane/air mixture, can be supplied to the respective pilot flame manifolds  110 , for example, by using one or more networks of pipes  142 , e.g., stainless steel tubing, connected to the manifolds, e.g., via the couplings  116 . According to an embodiment, air supply to the manifolds  110  can be metered by a mass flow controller, for example, at a rate of between about 700 lpm and about 800 lpm. The propane can be supplied to the manifolds  110  in a similar manner, for example, using a separate mass flow controller to provide propane at a rate of between about 50 lpm and 70 lpm. A flame flashback arrestor  145  can be located in the propane supply prior to entry into each manifold  110 . 
     The burners  100  can all be located on approximately the same horizontal plane. According to an embodiment, the center burner  132  can be pointed about 90 degrees upward, while the peripheral burners  134  are angled toward the center burner  132  in order to produce the desired fire plume. The fire plume generator  130  can be located above a fluid collection system, for example, as described in connection with  FIGS. 11-13B , below. 
     In testing, the fire plume generator  130  shown in  FIG. 10  has produced fire plumes with a heat output ranging from between about 0.5 MW to about 7.5 MW, or greater, in comparison with prior art plume generators which have been limited by a 2,500 kW heat output capacity. In use, the fire plume generator  130  can be operated by supplying a starting upward air flow from the duct  136 . Calibrated heptane flow rates are discharged from the individual liquid fuel nozzles  104 , and ignited. The peripheral shield  106  of each burner  100  can induce a high air velocity inside the shield  106  during operation, for example, to deflect water droplets from entering the shield  106  and contacting the fuel nozzle  104 . The upper shield  102  can also deflect water droplets from contacting the fuel nozzle  104  from above. Additionally or alternatively, the upper shield  102  can also create a recirculation zone above or below the burner  100  for flame stabilization. The pilot flame manifold  110  emits a ring of pilot flames to serve as a constant igniter for the fire plume, and can dramatically reduce the standoff distance between the flame and the corresponding liquid fuel nozzle  104 . Additionally or alternatively, the pilot flame manifold  110  can increase the temperature of the upper shield  102  to expedite heptane droplet vaporization, thereby maintaining sustainable flames under extremely turbulent conditions (e.g., under strong sprinkler sprays). As mentioned previously, the deflector disk  138  can maintain an air recirculation zone below the first burner  132  when air is discharged from the duct  136 . The features mentioned above, when implemented individually, can result in a fire plume generator  130  having a high flame capacity, making it possible to test larger and/or more robust sprinkler systems. Moreover, when combined, the features result in a fire plume generator  130  having an even higher flame capacity. For example, an embodiment of the fire plume generator  130  can be used to simulate rack-storage fire plumes expected at first sprinkler actuations in warehouses up to 60 feet high, or higher, assuming a tall enough facility. 
     The table below lists example parameters for liquid fuel discharge from the liquid fuel nozzle(s)  104  that can be used to provide a convective heat release for the fire plume generator  130  ranging from about 0.50 MW to about 7.5 MW. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Nozzle 
                 Nozzle 
                 Estimated 
                 Estimated 
               
               
                 Convective 
                 Capacity of 
                 Capacity of 
                 Nozzle 
                 Total 
               
               
                 Heat 
                 Center Burner 
                 Peripheral 
                 Operating 
                 Discharge 
               
               
                 Release 
                 at 6.9 bar 
                 Burners at 
                 Pressure 
                 Rate 
               
               
                 Rate (MW) 
                 (GPH) 
                 6.9 bar (GPH) 
                 (bar) 
                 (gpm) 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 0.50 
                 About 4 
                 About 3 
                 About 4 
                 About 1.5 
               
               
                 7.50 
                 About 45 
                 About 45 
                 About 7 
                 About 25 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Referring to  FIGS. 11-13B , components of a fluid collection system for use in a fire safety protection evaluation system are shown.  FIGS. 11 ,  13 A, and  13 B depict a plurality of horizontal collection devices  200 , while  FIGS. 12A and 12B  depict a plurality of vertical collection devices  300 . The fire plume generator  130  can be used in conjunction with the horizontal collection devices  200  and/or vertical collection devices  300  to test a fire safety protection system, for example, to measure the amount of fluid delivered by a sprinkler system to the surfaces of burning pallets, and/or the surfaces of adjoining pallets. For example, the fire plume generator  130  can generate a fire plume underneath a sprinkler system, and the horizontal collection devices  200  can be used to measure the amount of fluid delivered by the sprinkler system to horizontal surfaces of the burning rack storage located underneath the sprinkler system (e.g., the ADD distribution). Likewise, the vertical collection devices  300  can be used to measure the amount of fluid delivered by the sprinkler system to the vertical surfaces of a target rack storage facing the burning rack storage (e.g., facing the horizontal collection devices  200 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , each horizontal collection device  200  can comprise a substantially horizontal fluid collection pan  202  having an open top for collecting fluids, such as water, dispensed by sprinklers. Each horizontal collection device  200  can also include a storage container  204 , such as a tank, in fluid communication with the collection pan  202 , to receive and measure the fluid received by the respective collection pan  202 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the collection pan  202  can be connected to the respective storage container  204  using a conduit  206 . Alternatively, the collection pan  202  could connect directly to the respective storage container  204 . Each of the horizontal collection devices can include a measuring device (hidden from view), such as a pressure transducer in the storage container  204 , to measure the amount of fluid in the container  204 , and/or to measure the rate of fluid entering the container  204 . As a result, each vertical collection device  200  can measure the amount and/or rate of fluid landing on the open upper surface of the respective collection pan  202 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 11 , a horizontal collection device  200  can comprise multiple collection pans  202  located on a frame to facilitate movement and arrangement of the collection pans  202  as a unit, for example, to place them in desired locations and/or patterns with respect to a fire plume (e.g., from the position shown in  FIG. 13A  to the position shown in  FIG. 13B , to be discussed in more detail below). The embodiment shown in  FIG. 11  includes a 2×2 array of horizontal collection pans  202  mounted on a frame  210 . As shown, the frame  210  can support each horizontal pan  202 , storage container  204 , and measuring device. According to the embodiment shown, the collection pans  202  can be located above the respective storage container  204 , however other configurations are possible. The frame  210  can include wheels  212  or other similar devices to facilitate transport of the unit. A solenoid can be included in each storage container  204  to open and close a valve, in order to facilitate emptying of the storage container  204 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , front and side views of vertical collection devices  300  according to an embodiment are shown. Each vertical collection device  300  can include a substantially vertical collection surface  302 , e.g., that is impacted by fluid and on which the fluid collects, and a trough  304  for collecting the fluid that runs down the collection surface  302 . More specifically, according to an embodiment, each substantially vertical collection surface  302  can have an upper edge  302 A and a lower edge  302 B, and the trough  304  can be located at and extend along the lower edge  302 B. The trough  304  can have an open top surface  304 A that is substantially perpendicular to the substantially vertical collection surface  302 , through which the fluid passes to be collected in the trough  304 . 
     According to an embodiment, each substantially vertical collection surface  302  can measure approximately 42″ by 42″, corresponding to the vertical surface area of one pallet load. Other dimensions for the vertical collection surface  302  can alternatively be used, for example, to simulate different sized commodities. As shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the vertical collection devices  300  can be arranged in an array that is two units wide by “N” tiers tall corresponding to two pallet loads wide and N pallet loads high of target rack storage. According to an embodiment, side-by-side collection devices  300  can be separated by approximately 6″, and vertically stacked collection devices  300  can be separated by approximately 18″, corresponding to the vertical and horizontal flues in standard rack-storage testing arrangements. However, according to alternative embodiments, other dimensions for the vertical and horizontal separation can be used, to simulate different stacking configurations. 
     Similar to the horizontal collection devices  200 , each vertical collection device  300  can include a storage container (not shown) located below the trough  304 , e.g., connected thereto by a conduit, and a measuring device (e.g., a pressure transducer) associated with the storage container to measure the amount and/or rate of fluid collected by the vertical collection device  300 . As shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the vertical collection devices  300  can be stacked above one another in multiple tiers, for example, to simulate multiple stacked pallets. A frame (not shown) can be used to support the vertical collection devices  300  and related storage containers and measuring devices. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13A and 13B , an array of horizontal water collection devices  200  is shown centered beneath the fire plume generator  130 . In the embodiment shown, each horizontal collection pan  202  can have a substantially horizontal collection surface measuring approximately 21″ by 21″, to simulate the top surface of a 21″ by 21″×21″ carton. As such, each horizontal collection device  200  can simulate the top surface of a 42″ by 42″ pallet load, however, other sizes may be used as needed. In  FIG. 13A , the fire plume generator  130  is centered over an array of horizontal collection devices  200  that is two devises  200  wide by four devises  200  long, representing the top surfaces of the four ignition stacks in a warehouse commodity fire, and the stacks adjacent to the ignition stacks, two on each side. 
     According to an embodiment, a gap of approximately 6″ exists between the horizontal collection devices  200  to represent the vertical flues between adjacent rack storages. Alternative embodiments may use larger or smaller gaps to simulate different sized flues. As shown, rectangular horizontal water collection devices  250  can be located in the spaces between the horizontal collection devices  200 , and can collect water that lands in the flue space (e.g., between adjacent collection devices  200 ). The rectangular horizontal collection devices  250  can each include a container and a measuring device (similar to horizontal collection devices  200 ) to measure the amount and/or rate of fluid collected by the rectangular collection devices  250  in the flue space. 
     The eight pans  202  located to the left and another eight located to the right of the four ignition stacks represent the top surfaces of target stacks adjacent to the ignition stacks.  FIG. 13B  shows the array of collection devices  200  after having been offset with respect to the fire plume generator  130  by approximately one-half of a stack, for example, by rolling the horizontal collection devices  200  on the wheeled frame  210 . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that the horizontal collection devices  200  are not limited to the dimensions and arrangements shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , and that other dimensions and array sizes are possible based, for example, on the type of testing being performed. 
     Although not specifically shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , according to an embodiment, one or more tiers of the vertical collection devices  300  can be arranged around an array of the horizontal collection devices  200 . In such an embodiment, the horizontal collection devices  200  can measure fluid deposited on the top surfaces of stacks during a fire, and the vertical collection devices  300  can measure fluid deposited on the sides of stacks facing the horizontal collection devices  200 . For example, in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , one or more vertical collection devices  300  can be placed around the array of horizontal collection devices  200 , for example with the substantially vertical collection surfaces  302  and troughs  304  facing the horizontal collection devices  200 . 
     The embodiments illustrated and discussed in this specification are intended only to teach those skilled in the art the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention. Nothing in this specification should be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention. All examples presented are representative and non-limiting. The above-described embodiments of the invention may be modified or varied, without departing from the invention, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.