THE INFLUENCE OF MOISTURE ON THE COMBUSTION OF WOOD

A new three-dimensional (3-D) field model for enclosure fire growth has been developed by CSIRO and UNSW, Australia. The model includes the coupling of gas-phase combustion and the pyrolysis of wood. It has been used to predict the flame spread and fire development in a room witha rear timber wall and a propane burner. A parametric study of the effects of the moisture content of the timber on the flame spread and development of the fire in a room is described. The computed results compare satisfactorily with measurements from a fire test carefully conducted in a room.