A computational study on the use of balconies to reduce flame spread in high-rise apartment fires

High-rise apartment fires are perhaps the most dangerous residential fires. Within high-rise buildings, flames and smoke can travel through ductwork, between interior walls, and up elevator shafts and stairwells. One of the fastest ways a fire spreads to other floors is along the exterior of the building due to open windows. Flame spread up vertical walls has been studied experimentally and computationally for years in the US and abroad. A numerical study has been undertaken to examine the reduction of vertical flame spread due to the presence of a balcony. The depth and geometry of the balcony greatly affects the vertical movement of fire. By varying the balcony depth and geometry, the aim of this study is to find an optimum configuration that reduces vertical fire spread on the external wall.