Measuring -
Introduction and measuring types
Introduction
In each experiment, approximately 350 to 380 measurement points recorded the gas temperaturee, gas flow velocities, and the mass loss of the test specimen throughout the test duration and the subsequent observation period. A total of up to 300 type-K thermocouples, 6 plate thermometers, 12 bidirectional probes and 6 cameras were used as part of each fire test. In addition, the water consumption for fire suppression was also measured.
The temperature was measured within the building components, behind the fire-protective cladding, on the facade, in the fire compartment, as well as in the area of element joints and component connections. The gas flow velocity was measured in the fire compartment, in the opening, and on the facade.
What has been measured and documented?
Thermocouples
In the context of temperature measurement, thermocouples of the type K, in accordance to EN 60584-1 [1], were employed in various degrees of implementation. Within the interior of the test chamber, the mantel thermocouples, with an outer diameter of 1 mm (T0-T1) and 3 mm (T2-T4), respectively, were employed.
Mantelthermocouples with an outer diameter of 3 mm were employed at the facade. The use of insulated wire thermocouples was also implemented within the components themselves, as well as in the joints between the components and the elements.
The configuration of the thermocouples can be found under the menu headings measuring locations.
Plate thermocouples
In addition to the normal thermocouple, plate thermocouples were used in accordance with EN 1363-1 [2]. In the fire compartment, two plate thermocouples were placed in front of wall 1 and two under the ceiling. Additional plate thermocouples were placed on the facade 1 and 2 m above the opening.
Example arrangement in T2
The flow velocities in the fire compartment, in the opening and on the façade were measured with bidirectional probes of type BS11 in according to [3], which make it possible to measure the differential pressure caused by a flow movement at the probe and to calculate a direction-dependent flow velocity from this.
Unfortunately, the bidirectional probes are susceptible to the weather conditions under which the tests were carried out. During the tests and the subsequent evaluation, it became apparent that, despite all efforts, some of the probes failed and therefore no data could be collected.
Example of a bidirectional probe in T0
In order to determine the mass loss, the floor and the structural components (walls, ceiling) were each placed on decoupled floor frames, which were in turnsupported on individual load cells. A total of eight load cells were positioned under the frames for T0–T2 and 10 for T3 and T4.
Inner and outer frame of T0
Example of a load cell
During the five fire tests, video recordings were made with a total of six cameras. Four cameras were arranged in a fixed position, while two cameras were positioned in alternating locations. The picture below shows the camera configuration during the fourth test. Additionally, a multitude of images were captured by all participants throughout the course of the tests. These images can be accessed via the Media menu.
Example of the camera layout in T4
The extinguishing work was conducted with the assistance of a C-shaped jet pipe and water, with the addition of a wetting agent at a concentration of 1% and a pumping capacity of 8 bar on the fire engine. The quantity of extinguishing water was duly recorded. The data can be accessed via the results tables, which can be downloaded.
Operation of the fire brigade in the T4
References
- European Committee for Standardization (2013) EN 60584-1 Thermocouples—Part 1: EMF specifications and tolerances (IEC 60584-1:2013). European Committee for Standardization, Brussels
- European Committee for Standardization (2020) EN 1363-1:2020 Fire resistance tests - Part 1: general requirements. European Committee for Standardization, Brussels
- Starke, H. (2009) Kalibrierung von bidirektionalen Sonden—calibration of bidirectional probes. Jahresbericht 2006/2007/2008, IdF Sachsen-Anhalt, Heyrothsberge 2009
