Worksheet NRR/DSSA/SPLB 1, Rev.

METHOD FOR PREDICTING TEMPERATURE IN A ROOM FIRE WITH

NATURAL VENTILATION
The following calculations estimate the hot gas layer temperature in enclosure fire.
Parameters should be specified ONLY IN THE RED INPUT PARAMETER BOXES.
All subsequent values are calculated by the spreadsheet, and based on values specified in the
input parameters.

INPUT PARAMETERS
COMPARTMENT INFORMATION
Compartment Width (wc) 15.00 feet 4.572 m
Compartment Length (lc) 15.00 feet 4.572 m
Compartment Height (hc) 10.00 feet 3.048 m

Vent Width (wv) 4.00 feet 1.2192 m

Vent Height (hv) 6.00 feet 1.8288 m

Interior Lining Thickness (d) 1.00 feet 0.3048 m

AMBIENT CONDITIONS
Ambient Air Temperature (T0) 77.00 °F 25 °C
298 K
Specific Heat of Air (cp) 1 kJ/kg-K
Ambient air Density (r0) 1.18 kg/m3
THERMAL PROPERTIES OF ENCLOSING SURFACES
Interior Lining Thermal Inertia (krc) 2 (kW/m2-°C)2-sec
Interior Lining Thermal Conductivity (k) 0.0014 kW/m-K
Interior Lining Specific Heat (cp) 0.88 kJ/kg-K
Interior Lining Density (r) 2000 kg/m3

INTERIOR LINING TYPICAL CONSTRUCTION PROPERTIES for common materials:

Matetial k cp krc
(kW/m-°C) (kg/m3) (kJ/kg-K) (kW/m2-°C)2-sec
Concrete 1.0 x 10-3
2000 0.88 2.0
Gypsum Board 5.0 x 10-4 1440 0.84 0.60
Steel 5.0 x 10-3 1600 0.46 150
Wood 1.5 x 10-4 420 2.72 0.30
Reference Quintiere, James. Principles of Fire Behavior. (Page 187)
FIRE SPECIFICATIONS
Fire Heat Release Rate (Q) 500.00 kW
Time After Ignition (t) 100.00 sec

METHOD OF McCAFFREY, QUINTIERE, AND HARKLEROAD (MQH)

Reference SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering 2nd Edition (Page 3-139)

DTg = 6.85[Q2/(A0(hv)1/2) (AThk)]1/3

Where DTg = upper layer gas temperature rise above ambient (Tg-T0) (K)

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Worksheet NRR/DSSA/SPLB 1, Rev. 0

Q = heat release rate of the fire (kW)

A0 = area of ventilation opening (m2)
hv = height of ventilation opening (m)
hk = heat trensfer coefficient (kW/m2-K)
AT = total area of the compartment enclosing surface boundaries (m2)

Area of Ventilation Opening Calculation

A0 = (wv)(hv)
A0 = 2.229673 m2

Thermal Penetration Time Calculation

tp = (rcp/k)(d/2)2
Where r = interior construction density (kg/m3)
cp = interior construction heat capacity (kJ/Kg-K)
k = interior construction thermal conductivity (kW/m-K)
d = interior construction thickness (m)
tp = 29198.1 sec, which is over 8 hours, so the conduction will be transient for a
long time
Heat Transfer Coefficient Calculation
hk = (krc/t)1/2 for t < tp
Where krc = interior construction thermal inertia (kW/m2-°C)2-sec
(a thermal property of material responsible for the rate of temperature rise)
t = time after ignition (sec)
hk = 0.141421 kW/m2-°C

Area of Compartment Enclosing Surface Boundaries

AT = [2(wcxlc) + 2(hcxwc) + 2(hcxlc)] - A0
AT = 95.31852 m2

Compartment Hot Gas Layer Temperature With Natural Ventilation

DTg = 6.85[Q2/(A0(hv)1/2) (AThk)]1/3
DTg = 125.51 K
DTg = Tg-T0
Tg = DTg+T0
Tg= 423.51 K
Tg= 150.51 °C 302.91 °F ANSWER

NOTE
The above calculations are based on principles developed in the Society of Fire
Protection Engineers (SFPE) Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 2 nd Edition 1995.
Calculations are based on certain assumptions and has inherent limitations. The results
of such calculations may or may not have reasonable predictive capabilities for a
given situation, and should only be interpreted by an informed user.

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Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

CHAPTER 2. PREDICTING HOT GAS LAYER TEMPERATURE IN A ROOM FIRE

WITH DOOR CLOSED
Version 1805.1
The following calculations estimate the hot gas layer temperature in enclosure fire with door closed.
This method assume that compartment has sufficient leaks to prevent pressure buildup, but the leakages are ignored.
Parameters in YELLOW CELLS are Entered by the User.
Parameters in GREEN CELLS are Automatically Selected from the DROP DOWN MENU for the Material Selected.
All subsequent output values are calculated by the spreadsheet and based on values specified in the input
parameters. This spreadsheet is protected and secure to avoid errors due to a wrong entry in a cell(s).
The chapter in the NUREG should be read before an analysis is made.

INPUT PARAMETERS
COMPARTMENT INFORMATION
Compartment Width (wc) 15.00
Compartment Length (lc) 15.00
Compartment Height (hc) 15.00
Interior Lining Thickness (d) 12.00
Ambient Air Temperature (Ta) 77.00

AMBIENT CONDITIONS
Specific Heat of Air (cp) 1.00
Ambient Air Density (ra) 1.18
Volume of the Compartment (V) 3375.00
Mass of the Gas in the Compartment (m = V x ra) 113.21
Note: Air density will automatically correct with Ambient Air Temperature (Ta) Input
THERMAL PROPERTIES OF COMPARTMENT ENCLOSING SURFACES
Interior Lining Thermal Inertia (krc) 2.9
Interior Lining Thermal Conductivity (k) 0.0016
Interior Lining Specific Heat (c) 0.75
Interior Lining Density (r) 2400

THERMAL PROPERTIES FOR COMMON INTERIOR LINING MATERIALS

krc k c
Material
(kW/m2-K)2-sec (kW/m-K) (kJ/kg-K)
Aluminum (pure) 500 0.206 0.895
Steel (0.5% Carbon) 197 0.054 0.465
Concrete 2.9 0.0016 0.75
Brick 1.7 0.0008 0.8
Glass, Plate 1.6 0.00076 0.8
Brick/Concrete Block 1.2 0.00073 0.84
Gypsum Board 0.18 0.00017 1.1
Plywood 0.16 0.00012 2.5
Fiber Insulation Board 0.16 0.00053 1.25

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Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

Chipboard 0.15 0.00015 1.25

Aerated Concrete 0.12 0.00026 0.96
Plasterboard 0.12 0.00016 0.84
Calcium Silicate Board 0.098 0.00013 1.12
Alumina Silicate Block 0.036 0.00014 1.0
Glass Fiber Insulation 0.0018 3.7E-05 0.8
Expanded Polystyrene 0.001 3.4E-05 1.5
User Specified Value Enter Value Enter Value Enter Value
Reference: Klote, J., J. Milke, Principles of Smoke Management, 2002, Page 270.

FIRE SPECIFICATIONS
Fire Heat Release Rate (Q) 500.00
Time after Ignition 120
Calculate
METHOD OF BEYLER
Reference: SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 3nd Edition, 2002, Page 3-180.

DTg = (2 K2 / K12) (K1 √t-1+e(- K1 √t))

Where DTg = Tg - Ta = upper layer gas temperature rise above ambient (K)
Ta = ambient air temperature (K)
Parameter K1 = 2 (0.4√krc) AT / mcp
Parameter K2 = Q / m cp
krc = interior construction thermal inertia (kW/m2-K)2-sec
m = mass of gas in the compartment (kg)
cp = specific heat of air (kJ/kg-K)
AT = total area of the compartment enclosing surface boundaries (m
Q = heat release rate of the fire (kW)
t = exposure time (sec)

Calculation for Parameter K1

K1 = 2 (0.4√krc) AT / mc
Where
krc = interior construction thermal inertia (kW/m2-K)2-sec
AT = total area of the compartment enclosing surface boundaries (m2)
m = mass of gas in the compartment (kg)

Area of Compartment Enclosing Surface Boundaries

AT = [2(wc x lc) + 2(hc x wc) + 2(hc x lc)]
Where AT = total area of the compartment enclosing surface boundaries (m
wc = compartment width (m)
lc = compartment length (m)
hc = compartment height (m)
AT = 125.42 m2
K1 = 1.51 kW/m2-K

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Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

Calculation for Parameter K2

K2 = Q / m cp
Where
Q = heat release rate of the fire (kW)
m = mass of gas in the compartment (kg)
cp = specific heat of air (kJ/kg-K)
K2 = 4.42

Compartment Hot Gas Layer Temperature, Compartment Door Closed

DTg = (2 K2 / K12) (K1 √t-1+e(- K1 √t))
DTg = Tg - Ta = 60.23
Tg = 358.23 K
Tg = 85.23 °C 185.42 °F

NOTE
The above calculations are based on principles developed in the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engin
3nd Edition, 2002.
Calculations are based on certain assumptions and have inherent limitations. The results of such calculati
not have reasonable predictive capabilities for a given situation, and should only be interpreted by an inform
Although each calculation in the spreadsheet has been verified with the results of hand calculation, there is
guarantee of the accuracy of these calculations.
Any questions, comments, concerns, and suggestions, or to report an error(s) in the spreadsheet,
please send an email to nxi@nrc.gov or mxs3@nrc.gov.

Prepared by: Date Organization

Checked by: Date Organization

Additional Information

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Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

Revision Log Description of Revision

1805.0 Original issue with final text.
1805.1 Corrected calculation for Parameter K1. Added area of compartment enclosing surface
boundaries (AT) in Parameter K1.

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 Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

ATURE IN A ROOM FIRE

with door closed.

uildup, but the leakages are ignored.

WN MENU for the Material Selected.

ues specified in the input
ong entry in a cell(s).

ft 4.57 m
ft 4.57 m
ft 4.57 m
in 0.3048 m

°F 25.00 °C 0
298.00 K

kJ/kg-K
kg/m3
ft3 95.57 m3
kg
erature (Ta) Input

(kW/m2-K)2-sec
kW/m-K
kJ/kg-K
kg/m3

r Select Material
(kg/m3)
2710 Scroll to desired material then
7850 Click on selection
2400
2600
2710
1900
960
540
240

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 Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

800
500
950
700
260
60
20
Enter Value

kW
sec

ce boundaries (m2)

ce boundaries (m2)

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 Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

Answer

FPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering,

limitations. The results of such calculation may or may

nd should only be interpreted by an informed user.
h the results of hand calculation, there is no absolute

an error(s) in the spreadsheet,

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 Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

Date
January 2005
ent enclosing surface September 2005

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