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1 – 10 of over 2000
Article
Publication date: 7 April 2015

Yanqiu Chen, Xiaodong Zhou, Taolin Zhang, Yuqi Hu and Lizhong Yang

– The purpose of this paper is to study the behavior of smoke flow in a typical high-rise residential building fire in six common smoke control systems.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the behavior of smoke flow in a typical high-rise residential building fire in six common smoke control systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The pressure, temperature and CO2 concentration were used to trace the motion of turbulent smoke flow through CFD.

Findings

It is found that the hot smoke could rise up and spread into the indoor space on the upper floors through the staircase. When the pressure in the evacuation staircase is higher, it would be more difficult for the smoke to enter the staircase and transport vertically. On the other hand, the smoke would soon transport to the indoor space on the upper floors horizontally. During this process, the smoke shows a more disorder horizontal transport under the sole effect of thermal buoyancy than the co-existence of thermal buoyancy and the air inlet.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may need to be tested by further experiments.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the design of smoke control systems and evacuation in a building fire.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study the behavior of smoke in a fire and optimize the design of smoke control systems.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 25 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 17 October 2018

Decheng Li, Tiannian Zhou, Zegong Liu and Jian Wang

The purpose of this study is to investigate the transport phenomena of smoke flow in a semi-open vertical shaft.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the transport phenomena of smoke flow in a semi-open vertical shaft.

Design/methodology/approach

The large eddy simulation (LES) method was used to model the movement of fire-induced thermal flow in a full-scale vertical shaft. With this model, different fire locations and heat release rates (HRRs) were considered simultaneously.

Findings

It was determined that the burning intensity of the fire is enhanced when the fire attaches to the sidewall, resulting in a larger continuous flame region in the compartment and higher temperatures of the spill plume in the shaft compared to a center fire. In the initial stage of the fire with a small HRR, the buoyancy-driven spill plumes incline toward the side of the shaft opposite the window. Meanwhile, the thermal plumes are also directed away from the center of the shaft by the entrained airflow, but the inclination diminishes as HRR increases. This is because a greater HRR produces higher temperatures, resulting in a stronger buoyancy to drive smoke movement evenly in the shaft. In addition, a dimensionless equation was proposed to predict the rise-time of the smoke plume front in the shaft.

Research limitations/implications

The results need to be verified with experiments.

Practical implications

The results could be applied for design and assessment of semi-open shafts.

Originality/value

This study shows the transport phenomena of smoke flow in a vertical shaft with one open side.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 28 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 1997

David Jeffs and Yvonne Le Page

“Healthy public policy” in tobacco control is essential to support other efforts to reduce smoking prevalence, especially among the young. The government of Guernsey in the…

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Abstract

“Healthy public policy” in tobacco control is essential to support other efforts to reduce smoking prevalence, especially among the young. The government of Guernsey in the Channel Islands has recently agreed to implement a comprehensive and integrated package of measures intended to make tobacco smoking less acceptable, less accessible and less affordable to young people. Such measures include raising the legal age of purchase, a substantial price rise over a period of years, a total ban on local tobacco advertising and specially funded initiatives in health education and promotion. Summarizes the process and barriers to achieving “Healthy public policy” in tobacco control.

Details

Health Education, vol. 97 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-4283

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 1953

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Minister of Food and the Secretary of State for Scotland, appointed a Working Party in May, 1951, “to examine the present structure…

Abstract

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Minister of Food and the Secretary of State for Scotland, appointed a Working Party in May, 1951, “to examine the present structure of producers' prices for milk and to advise whether it is desirable and practicable to make revisions which would promote an improvement in the composition and quality of milk sold off farms in the United Kingdom”. The Working Party has now issued a Report (H.M.S.O.).

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 55 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Article
Publication date: 25 August 2021

Afshin Tanouri, Ann-Marie Kennedy and Ekant Veer

Although the concept of transformative gamification is mentioned in previous research, no research has provided a theoretically based explanation of how gamification can lead to…

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Abstract

Purpose

Although the concept of transformative gamification is mentioned in previous research, no research has provided a theoretically based explanation of how gamification can lead to transformative change. This paper aims to provide the explanation for the first time by combining storytelling elements with cognitive behavioural therapy logic and incorporating these into a framework to show the process of transformative behaviour change through gamification. The proposed framework not only furthers the theoretical understanding of transformative gamification services but also provides practical insight into design and implication of such services.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on critical analysis and synthesis of literature from different fields of research such as transformative service research (TSR), gamification, game studies, social marketing, storytelling and journalism. Ergo, several propositions based on the extensive literature review are proposed and aggregated in a conceptual framework.

Findings

This paper argues that apart from game mechanics that are often considered as an inseparable aspect of gamification services, immersive storytelling and a mechanism to encourage reflection are the pivotal components of transformative gamification services. In addition, this paper suggests that although reflection and immersive storytelling are often considered as opposite sides of the spectrum, they can have a synergistic effect once they work in tandem in gamification services.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a novel framework and an operational definition for transformative gamification services. It contributes to TSR, gamification and health promotion research through differentiating this concept from similar concepts, such as mHealth, propelling gamification to a more meaningful and user-centric version and providing service researchers with a practical guide to make use of gamification as a tool to serve TSR.

Details

Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 36 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0887-6045

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2018

Binghua Zhou, Yiguo Xue, Mingtian Li, Zhiqiang Li, Xueliang Zhang and Yufan Tao

When a vehicle passes through a long highway tunnel, the smoke it discharges accumulates in the tunnel. High smoke concentration has an important influence on the driver’s health…

Abstract

Purpose

When a vehicle passes through a long highway tunnel, the smoke it discharges accumulates in the tunnel. High smoke concentration has an important influence on the driver’s health and driving safety. The use of numerous jet fans to diffuse the smoke causes excessive energy consumption, so it is of significant practical value to design suitable tunnel ventilation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on the continuum hypothesis, incompressible hypothesis, steady flow hypothesis and similar hypothesis of gas in a long highway tunnel. These hypotheses calculate the gas emissions and wind demand in a long highway tunnel given the deployment of the jet fan program.

Findings

This program selects each of the two 1120-type jet machine group and sets up 13 groups; each group has an interval of 184.5 m in the end. The analysis of air test results when the tunnel is in operation shows that CO and smoke concentrations meet the design requirements, which can provide reference for a similar engineering design later.

Originality/value

At present, a highway tunnel is recognized at home and abroad by means of clearance of longitudinal ventilation, which is 2,000 m. In view of this, this paper is based on the theory of longitudinal jet ventilation of a highway tunnel, whose length is more than 2,000 m, to calculate the ventilation and apply it to a tunnel’s ventilation design.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 16 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 June 2018

Chettouh Samia, Rachida Hamzi and Mourad Chebila

The purpose of this paper is to employ lessons learned from the industrial accidents in Skikda refinery during the period from 2005 to 2016 as input data for the numerical…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to employ lessons learned from the industrial accidents in Skikda refinery during the period from 2005 to 2016 as input data for the numerical simulation of risk consequences to identify the exposed areas to the various effects of industrial accidents.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to assess how the lessons learned can contribute to modeling the accidents effects in the refining activities, this paper presents a combined statistical/dynamic approach that combines two main tools, namely, lessons learned from petroleum refining in Algeria and Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres software.

Findings

The results showed that fire is the most frequent accident at Skikda refinery that is mainly caused by equipment failures with a frequent involvement of crude oil and LNG. The NO2 toxic effects are unacceptable. This means that in the case of a similar accident, the entire population will be exposed to an intolerable concentration of NO2. Therefore, people must be relocated to a safer place. The results indicate that the concentration threshold can be met beyond the distance of 1 km.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the economic importance of Skikda refinery and the absence of data related to the accidents in the refineries of Algiers, Arzew and Hassi Messaoud, this study is limited to the statistical analysis of accidents related to Skikda refinery.

Practical implications

This approach makes the risk assessment more practical and effective for the appropriate utilization of safety barriers and for the whole decision-making process.

Originality/value

This work presents a review paper of accidents that occurred in the oil-refining sector in Algeria, whose objective is learning lessons from past accidents history, by identifying their immediate causes and effects on personnel, equipment and environment in order to propose prevention measures. The novelty of this work is highlighted by the fact that this statistical analysis of oil and gas refining accident is realized for the first time in Algeria. This is due to the difficulty of obtaining data on accidents in the Algerian refining sector; for this reason, the authors have limited the study to the Skikda refinery.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 29 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 February 2018

Anass Rahouti, Sélim Datoussaïd and Thierry Descamps

This paper aims to focus on the combination of fire- and agent-based modelling approaches to assess the level of safety of a multi-storeyed building case study.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the combination of fire- and agent-based modelling approaches to assess the level of safety of a multi-storeyed building case study.

Design/methodology/approach

For an existing building to be occupied such as the engineering student dormitory of Mons (Belgium), engineers must establish, among the other things, that the building affords a sufficient level of safety during fire incident. This can be verified in accordance with prescriptive- and performance-based methodologies. The performance-based approach consists on using simulation tools such as fire dynamics simulator with evacuation to ensure/verify the level of safety required. In this paper, a model case study was built and then various scenarios have been implemented to answer some safety questions.

Findings

For this building layout, the results demonstrate that combining different egress components (i.e. stairs and outdoor ladders) has a negative impact on the evacuation process than using only the stairs to evacuate the building; phased evacuation strategy will not necessarily lead to faster evacuation; adding fire doors in the stairs and between the floors has a beneficial effect on the evacuation process.

Originality/value

This case study proposes some recommendations about adapted evacuation strategy and investments to improve the safety of high-rise student’s dormitory in case of fire.

Details

International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-5908

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 May 2009

Mohammad A. Hassanain

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the challenges faced by occupants and fire fighters during evacuation and rescue operations in high‐rise buildings.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the challenges faced by occupants and fire fighters during evacuation and rescue operations in high‐rise buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper has analysed the published literature for the purpose of identifying and examining the factors that make high‐rise buildings a high‐risk type of facility to fire and the common avenues of fire spread in high‐rise buildings. The paper then investigates a number of evacuation strategies in high‐rise buildings and the set of human factors affecting high‐rise evacuations. It also discusses the challenges that building occupants and fire departments face during a fire emergency.

Findings

The paper has established that high‐rise buildings are a high‐risk type of facility in fire emergencies due to a combination of three risk factors. The characteristics of the occupants to consider when designing the means of escape were identified, and the challenges faced by fire fighters during rescue operation in high‐rise fires were classified under five main categories.

Originality/value

The paper provides for an exchange of knowledge, thus facilitating a better comprehension of the roles of designers, building services engineers, facility managers and professionals in safety in the provision and maintenance of safety systems in high‐rise buildings.

Details

Structural Survey, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-080X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 August 2023

Deanna Craig and M.Z. Naser

The extreme nature of fire makes structural fire engineering unique in that the load actions dictating design are intense and neither geographically nor seasonally bound. Simply…

Abstract

Purpose

The extreme nature of fire makes structural fire engineering unique in that the load actions dictating design are intense and neither geographically nor seasonally bound. Simply, fire can break out anywhere, at any time and for any number of reasons. Despite the apparent need, the fire design of structures still relies on expensive fire tests, complex finite element simulations and outdated procedures with little room for innovation. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This primer highlights the latest state of the art in this area with regard to performance-based design in fire structural engineering. In addition, this short review also presents a series of examples of successful implementation of performance-based fire design of structures from around the world.

Findings

A comparison between global efforts clearly shows the advances put forth by European and Oceanian efforts as opposed to the rest of the world. In addition, it can be clearly seen that most performance-based fire designs are related to steel and composite structures.

Originality/value

In one study, this paper presents a concise and global view to performance-based fire design of structures from success stories from around the world.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 2000