Experimental study of fire propagation along a vertical wall in a lab scale setup

A characterization study was conducted on a novel experimental setup designed to investigate the spread of façade fires. This setup consists of a wall divided into an effusion zone, where methane injection simulates the pyrolysis process, and a large inert zone where the flame propagates. Various flow rates were applied to the effusion module and analyzed through direct visualizations, CH* and OH* chemiluminescence imaging, as well as temperature and heat flux. The results highlight and confirm the well-established influence of fuel injection rates on flame behavior and propagation. This standardized configuration serves as a benchmark for comparisons with more complex scenarios involving different arrangements of effusion and inert zones. Moreover, the data generated in this study provide a valuable basis for evaluating the reliability of fire engineering models and codes. • A new setup has been designed to study configurations that enhance the understanding of façade fires. • An initial experimental campaign was conducted on a configuration with a simulated pyrolysis zone, confirming the well-established impact of fuel injection rates on flame behavior and their effect on the wall. • Mean flame height and boundary heights of the intermittent flame increase with higher mass fluxes due to more fuel introduction and buoyancy effects. • Chemiluminescence imaging reveals peak heat release zones at the transition between simulated pyrolysis zone and inert one, intensifying with higher mass fluxes. • Convective heat transfer dominates over radiative exchanges in this configuration, influenced by the specific fuel and effusion module width.