Design Fires in the Installation of Fixed Sprinkler Fire Extinguishing Systems in Chemical and Industrial Plants

Authors

  • Vladimír ČABLÍK Author
  • Jiří POKORNÝ Author
  • Lenka BRUMAROVÁ Author
  • Jakub BRUMAR Author
  • Šárka KROČOVÁ Author
  • Alexandra KARDOŠOVÁ Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29227/IM-2026-01-01-010

Keywords:

industrial premises, design fires, fixed sprinkler fire suppression system, FDS fire model

Abstract

Chemical and industrial premises used for the production, storage, or handling of chemical substances require a high level of fire protection. Fixed sprinkler fire suppression systems are among the most advanced solutions, but their reliable performance depends on an appropriately defined design fire reflecting specific operational and layout conditions. This paper presents a study to determine a design fire for sprinkler system design in industrial premises. Sprinkler head activation time was calculated using fire engineering calculations and verified by numerical fire modelling in Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). Results showed that sprinkler activation time depended on fire load, ranging from 100 - 226 s for engineering calculations and 109 - 236 s for FDS simulations, while the heat release rate varied only slightly across different fire loads, with values of 596 - 703 kW for engineering calculations and 599 - 715 kW for FDS simulations. These findings provide a basis for further research on fire dynamics in chemical industrial operations and their implications for sprinkler system design.

Author Biographies

  • Vladimír ČABLÍK

    prof. Ing . , Ph.D. , Faculty of Mining and Geology, Department of Environmental Engineering, VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 2172/15, 708 00 Ostrava - Poruba ; ORCID: 0000 - 0001 - 8081 - 2348

  • Jiří POKORNÝ

    prof. Ing., Ph.D., MPA, Faculty of Safety Engineering, VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, Lumirova 13, 700 30 Ostrava - Vyskovice ; ORCID: 0000 - 0002 - 1829 - 8437

  • Lenka BRUMAROVÁ

    doc. Ing., Ph.D. , Faculty of Safety Engineering, VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, Lumirova 13, 700 30 Ostrava - Vyskovice ; ORCID: 0000 - 0001 - 8009 - 6556

  • Jakub BRUMAR

    Ing., Faculty of Safety Engineering, VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, Lumirova 13, 700 30 Ostrava - Vyskovice , ORCID: 0000 - 0001 - 6474 - 1420

  • Šárka KROČOVÁ

    doc. Ing., Ph.D. , Faculty of Safety Engineering, VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, Lumirova 13, 700 30 Ostrava - Vyskovice, ORCID: 0000 - 0002 - 1777 - 1675

  • Alexandra KARDOŠOVÁ

    Ing, Faculty of Safety Engineering, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava, Lumirova 13, 700 30 Ostrava - Vyskovice ; ORCID: 0009 - 0004 - 0559 - 3420

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Published

2026-06-01

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