Categorization of fire load density based on the fire hazard classification of warehouse commodities

Warehouse fires pose a significant threat due to rapid fire growth and high fire loads, often resulting in substantial loss of life and property. Accurately assessing the heat release characteristics of stored commodities is essential for developing effective fire protection strategies in warehouse environments. However, the considerable variability in commodity types, packaging conditions, rack configurations, and ventilation complicates the quantitative assessment of fire hazards based solely on the heat release rate (HRR). As an alternative, this study introduces a method for categorizing fire load density (FLD) based on commodity classification. A total of 338 data points for heat of combustion (HOC) and 613 bulk density measurements of packaged products were collected and analyzed. Statistically representative values of HOC and bulk density were derived for each commodity class using gamma distribution functions (GDFs). These values were then combined to calculate the heat release per unit area (HRPUA), which was used to quantify the FLD. The analysis revealed a clear upward trend in FLD with increasing commodity class, confirming the feasibility of class-based hazard differentiation. This approach offers a quantitative alternative to conventional qualitative assessments and provides a statistically grounded framework for evaluating fire hazards in warehouses, ultimately contributing to improved fire safety.