Details on the onset of combustion instability and related fire propagation in the matrix-lateral configuration: technical indicators and mechanism

To minimize damages and prevent future occurrences, it’s now important to gain a deeper understanding of this diverse phenomenon in light of the rising incidence of fire disasters in recent years. The present work aims to enhance the fundamental understanding of the controlling mechanism of large-scale fire propagation. An attempt is made to gain the true replication through organized experimentation on matrix-lateral configuration. The study offers a macroscopic method for evaluating combustion instability through central investigation, with a particular emphasis on the pattern of fire propagation. A simple experimental setup was developed for experimental simulations, followed by in-depth qualitative and quantitative analysis. The experimentation comprises thermally thin solid fuel, viz., customized matchsticks as pilot fuel, and external energy sources. The study details an investigation of the combustion behavior under varying surface orientation in the spatial and temporal realm and the related energy transfer prediction. The self-ignition effect and fire propagation are investigated, and the combustion characteristic—flame profile and spread rate—was evaluated by creating a suitable characterization based on the experimental findings for efficient energy transfer prediction and, consequently, enhanced fire safety.