Experimental research of using horizontal irrigators for fire-protected water curtains

Abstract

Abstract. Results of publication analysis about research of water curtains are given. Firstly, it was conducted, that, well-known horizontal irrigators of standard horizontal wall mounting for firefighting by floor area, while non-standard position, outlet down, can be used for the creation of water curtains. But analysis of irrigators` technical characteristics, from different manufacturers, shows that given passport data for water distribution of irrigators, even for horizontal position, has similar indicative trajectories of flow and irrigation models. For vertical orientation irrigators such data are absent. DSTU EN 12259-1:2019 provided methodology of horizontal irrigators testing on water distribution through floor area and wetting of walls only for their horizontal positioning. That’s why experimental research of given irrigators for water curtains was conducted with using of test methodology, for example, a single horizontal irrigator, which provides its positioning (vertical or horizontal), when its fire protection characteristic for window opening of a given size is most effective. Evaluation criteria were: obtained values of intensity of water distribution on wall area, sizes of this area, and its limits relatively to irrigator and window. By results of conducted research were determined the intensities of water distribution on the horizontal surface and created 3D models of water spray intensity from the irrigator relative to its position to the window. Research showed that most effective protection of window opening can be created while non-standard - vertical orientation of irrigator. It means that, confirmed the possibility of more effective using of irrigators of given type for water curtains creation. But, all of this needs further studying, in particular, of determination and evaluation of the factual screening possibility of such curtain for penetration of dangerous factors of fire and heat flux.