Flumilog : the campaign of fire tests Oct 02, 2007
A First in Europe in logistics real estate
18 September: a resounding success!
This test program has started with the mid-scale test which took place on 18 September 2007 in a 100-m˛ GSE-built warehouse, deliberately set on fire to study the influence of the fire load on flame geometry and to validate, by experimentation and measurements, the calculation model for the distances of the fire’s thermal effect.
This event drew the attention of all the active players in the logistics and risk prevention fields. No less than 200 persons were present on the CNPP site in the Paris are, to attend the Flumilog conference followed by the closely-studied fire. Participants included scientists, technicians, manufacturers and builders.
Flumilog or how to determine the distances of the warehouse fire’s thermal effect
The development work leading to this calculation method has been performed by the Ineris, CNPP and CTICM laboratories, recognized for their fire engineering expertise. They have analysed the currently applied calculation methods and the latest international research results to develop a theoretical model which is currently being validated by a medium- and large-scale real test program.
Video recordings, temperature measurement in the storage, on the building walls, measure of the residual quantity after fire, climatic influences (wind speed), smoke trajectory – the results obtained after real tests must enable the experts to determine several precise points, including:
flame geometry,
fire propagation kinetics,
temperature change on a given wall,
fire power estimation,
influence of the wind on combustion,
smoke plume trajectory.
And then...
Three large-scale tests on an 800-m˛ platform are scheduled by late 2007 to study the influence of the scale factor.
This method of calculating the thermal effects will enable better design and dimensioning of storage-dedicated infrastructures, in particular the heat screens, optimise logistics platform layout on the land, simplify the preparation and processing of operating authorisation files, and improve safety.
The results will be used to improve regulations in 2008.
To perform its large-scale testing, Flumilog is actively seeking new partners to participate in the funding and performance of the research work, which will improve environmental and human protection and safety, and simplify the compulsory administrative authorisations logistics professionals must obtain to operate a platform.
The Flumilog leaders:
Working toward the creation of a national reference for environmental protection and risk prevention for logistics buildings, a working group has been forged to launch a campaign of fire tests and to determine the distances at which a warehouse fire impacts the environment.
The project has been christened Flumilog and federates several partners, including:
This test program has started with the mid-scale test which took place on 18 September 2007 in a 100-m˛ GSE-built warehouse, deliberately set on fire to study the influence of the fire load on flame geometry and to validate, by experimentation and measurements, the calculation model for the distances of the fire’s thermal effect.