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Fire Spread in Car Parks
BRE Global were commissioned more than 3 years ago now by CLG to undertake a study of -Fire Spread in Car Parks- based on the concerns that current guidance is based on cars that were designed decades ago. Following Sam Wright's attendance to the BRE Global event showcasing the experiments and findings at their headquarters in Watford the following information can now be recognised as …… The impact of modern car designs on car park fires thus being the impetus behind the need for up to date information, which will allow guidance to be reviewed and updated if necessary. The study focused on specific of aspects
• Literature Review (what is current guidance based on)
• CFD Modelling of Car Park Fires
• Behaviour of a range of external materials used to make typical road vehicles.
• LPG Fuelled Cars (thought to be unsafe on the continent)
A range of live tests were carried out on modern cars which were selected on the basis of age, size and availability (not make or model). … Yes cars were destroyed… The tests were arranged to explore fire spread between cars (even when separated by one clear bay), single car fires and those fuelled with LPG. Modern Stacker systems were also considered with the tests. Findings concluded that once a fire has developed with a single car ignition to surrounding cars will happen easily (even when there is a clear separation). Stacker type systems should not be considered without sprinkler protection and LPG fuelled cars do not raise an elevated amount of concern from the tests undertaken.