TECHNICAL RESEARCH
INDUSTRY RESEARCH
Impacts of Oxygen Deprivation and Noxious Gas Circulation During Fire Development in Energy Efficient Homes
Description Fires in single family homes contribute to the highest incidence of fire fatalities in British Columbia and Canada. There is limited information on the evolution and circulation of toxic fire gases that result from burning homes. These gases may be exasperated by airtightness in energy efficient homes. This research will systematically investigate temperatures, oxygen deprivation, carbon monoxide, other gas species distributions and hot gas movement in a two-storey structure during a fire. Research results will improve understanding of the differences in fire dynamics associated with ventilation limited fires when compared with ventilated fires. The project will also evaluate the impact of ventilation limited conditions on evacuation and fire service. Impact This research project will improve understanding of differences in fire dynamics associated with ventilation limited fires when compared with ventilated fires.
Status: Project underway Partners: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, University of Waterloo Audience: Local governments, policy
makers, architects, builders, designers, developers, and the residential construction industry
74 HOUSING RESEARCH & EDUCATION PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS | JULY 2021
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