Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Division of Systems Safety and Analysis

Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

CHAPTER 5. ESTIMATING RADIANT HEAT FLUX FROM FIRE TO A TARGET

FUEL AT GROUND LEVEL UNDER WIND-FREE CONDITION
POINT SOURCE RADIATION MODEL
Version 1805.0
The following calculations estimate the radiative heat flux from a pool fire to a target fuel.
The purpose of this calculation is to estimate the radiation transmitted from a burning fuel array to a target
fuel positioned some distance from the fire at ground level to determine if secondary ignitions are likely with no wind.
Parameters in YELLOW CELLS are Entered by the User.
Parameters in GREEN CELLS are Automatically Selected from the DROP DOWN MENU for the Fuel Selected.
All subsequent output values are calculated by the spreadsheet and based on values specified in the input
parameters. This spreadsheet is protected and secure to avoid errors due to a wrong entry in a cell(s).
The chapter in the NUREG should be read before an analysis is made.

INPUT PARAMETERS
Mass Burning Rate of Fuel (m") 0.045 kg/m2-sec
Effective Heat of Combustion of Fuel (DHc,eff) 0 44400 kJ/kg
Empirical Constant (kb) 2.1 m-1
Heat Release Rate (Q) 472403.60 kW
Fuel Area or Dike Area (Adike) 2545.00 ft2 236.44 m2
Distance between Fire and Target (L) 130.00 ft 39.624 m
Radiative Fraction (cr) 0.30
OPTIONAL CALCULATION FOR GIVEN HEAT RELEASE RATE
Select "User Specified Value" from Fuel Type Menu and Enter Your HRR here → kW

Calculate

THERMAL PROPERTIES DATA

BURNING RATE DATA FOR FUELS

Mass Burning Rate Heat of Combustion Empirical Constant Select Fuel Type
Fuel
m" (kg/m2-sec) DHc,eff (kJ/kg) kb (m-1)
Methanol 0.017 20,000 100 Scroll to desired fuel type then
Ethanol 0.015 26,800 100 Click on selection
Butane 0.078 45,700 2.7
Benzene 0.085 40,100 2.7
Hexane 0.074 44,700 1.9
Heptane 0.101 44,600 1.1
Xylene 0.09 40,800 1.4
Acetone 0.041 25,800 1.9
Dioxane 0.018 26,200 5.4
Diethy Ether 0.085 34,200 0.7
Benzine 0.048 44,700 3.6
Gasoline 0.055 43,700 2.1
Kerosine 0.039 43,200 3.5
Diesel 0.045 44,400 2.1
JP-4 0.051 43,500 3.6
JP-5 0.054 43,000 1.6
Transformer Oil, Hydrocarbon 0.039 46,000 0.7
561 Silicon Transformer Fluid 0.005 28,100 100
Fuel Oil, Heavy 0.035 39,700 1.7
Crude Oil 0.0335 42,600 2.8
Lube Oil 0.039 46,000 0.7
Douglas Fir Plywood 0.01082 10,900 100
User Specified Value Enter Value Enter Value Enter Value
Reference: SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 3rd Edition, 2002, Page 3-26.
ESTIMATING RADIATIVE HEAT FLUX TO A TARGET FUEL
Reference: SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 3rd Edition, 2002, Page 3-272.

POINT SOURCE RADIATION MODEL

q" = Q cr / 4 p R2
Where q" = incident radiative heat flux on the target (kW/m2)
Q = pool fire heat release rate (kW)
cr = radiative fraction
R = distance from center of the pool fire to edge of the target (m)

Pool Fire Diameter Calculation

Adike = pD2/4
D = √(4Adike/p)
Where Adike = surface area of pool fire (m2)
D = pool fire diamter (m)
D= 17.35 m

1
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

Heat Release Rate Calculation

Q = m"DHc,eff (1 - e-kb D) Af
Where Q = pool fire heat release rate (kW)
m" = mass burning rate of fuel per unit surface area (kg/m2-sec)
DHc = effective heat of combustion of fuel (kJ/kg)
Af = surface area of pool fire (area involved in vaporization) (m2)
kb = empirical constant (m-1)
D = diameter of pool fire (diameter involved in vaporization, circular pool is assumed) (m)

Q= 472403.60 kW

Distance from Center of the Fire to Edge of the Target Calculation

R = L+D/2
Where R = distance from center of the pool fire to edge of the target (m)
L = distance between pool fire and target (m)
D = pool fire diameter (m)
R= 48.30 m

Radiative Heat Flux Calculation

q" = Q cr / 4 p R2
q" = 4.83 kW/m2 0.43 Btu/ft2-sec Answer
NOTE
The above calculations are based on principles developed in the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection
Engineering, 3rd Edition, 2002.
Calculations are based on certain assumptions and have inherent limitations. The results of such
calculations may or may not have reasonable predictive capabilities for a given situation, and
should only be interpreted by an informed user.
Although each calculation in the spreadsheet has been verified with the results of hand calculation,
there is no absolute guarantee of the accuracy of these calculations.
Any questions, comments, concerns, and suggestions, or to report an error(s) in the spreadsheet,
please send an email to [email protected] or [email protected].

Prepared by: Date Organization

Checked by: Date Organization

Additional Information

Revision Log Description of Revision Date

1805.0 Original issue with final text. January 2005

2
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

3
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

CHAPTER 5. ESTIMATING RADIANT HEAT FLUX FROM FIRE TO A TARGET

FUEL AT GROUND LEVEL UNDER WIND-FREE CONDITION
SOLID FLAME RADIATION MODEL
Version 1805.0
The following calculations estimate the radiative heat flux from a pool fire to a target fuel.
The purpose of this calculation is to estimate the radiation transmitted from a burning fuel array to a target
fuel positioned some distance from the fire at ground level to determine if secondary ignitions are likely with no wind.
Parameters in YELLOW CELLS are Entered by the User.
Parameters in GREEN CELLS are Automatically Selected from the DROP DOWN MENU for the Fuel Selected.
All subsequent output values are calculated by the spreadsheet and based on values specified in the input
parameters. This spreadsheet is protected and secure to avoid errors due to a wrong entry in a cell(s).
The chapter in the NUREG should be read before an analysis is made.
INPUT PARAMETERS
Mass Burning Rate of Fuel (m") 0.039 kg/m2-sec
Effective Heat of Combustion of Fuel (DHc,eff) 0 46000 kJ/kg
Empirical Constant (kb) 0.7 m-1
Heat Release Rate (Q) 771.52 kW
Fuel Area or Dike Area (Adike) 9.00 ft2 0.84 m2
Distance between Fire and Target (L) 10.00 ft 3.048 m

OPTIONAL CALCULATION FOR GIVEN HEAT RELEASE RATE

Select "User Specified Value" from Fuel Type Menu and Enter Your HRR here → kW

Calculate

THERMAL PROPERTIES DATA

BURNING RATE DATA FOR FUELS
Empirical
Fuel Mass Burning Rate Heat of Combustion Constant Select Fuel Type
m" (kg/m2-sec) DHc,eff (kJ/kg) kb (m-1)
Methanol 0.017 20,000 100 Scroll to desired fuel type then
Ethanol 0.015 26,800 100 Click on selection
Butane 0.078 45,700 2.7
Benzene 0.085 40,100 2.7
Hexane 0.074 44,700 1.9
Heptane 0.101 44,600 1.1
Xylene 0.09 40,800 1.4
Acetone 0.041 25,800 1.9
Dioxane 0.018 26,200 5.4
Diethy Ether 0.085 34,200 0.7
Benzine 0.048 44,700 3.6
Gasoline 0.055 43,700 2.1
Kerosine 0.039 43,200 3.5
Diesel 0.045 44,400 2.1
JP-4 0.051 43,500 3.6
JP-5 0.054 43,000 1.6
Transformer Oil, Hydrocarbon 0.039 46,000 0.7
561 Silicon Transformer Fluid 0.005 28,100 100
Fuel Oil, Heavy 0.035 39,700 1.7
Crude Oil 0.0335 42,600 2.8
Lube Oil 0.039 46,000 0.7
Douglas Fir Plywood 0.01082 10,900 100
User Specified Value Enter Value Enter Value Enter Value
Reference: SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 3rd Edition, 2002, Page 3-26.
ESTIMATING RADIATIVE HEAT FLUX TO A TARGET FUEL
Reference: SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 3rd Edition, 2002, Page 3-276.

SOLID FLAME RADIATION MODEL

q" = EF1->2
Where q" = incident radiative heat flux on the target (kW/m2)
E = emissive power of the pool fire flame (kW/m2)
F1->2 = view factor between target and the flame

Pool Fire Diameter Calculation

Adike = pD2/4
D = √(4Adike/p)
Where Adike = surface area of pool fire (m2)
D = pool fire diamter (m)
D= 1.03 m

Emissive Power Calculation

E= 58 (10-0.00823 D)
Where E = emissive power of the pool fire flame (kW/m2)
D = diameter of the pool fire (m)
E= 56.88 kW/m2

View Factor Calculation

F1->2,H = (B-1/S)/p(B2-1)1/2 tan-1 ((B+1) (S-1)/(B-1)(S+1))1/2-(A-1/S)/(p(A2-1)1/2) tan-1 ((A+1)(S-1)/(A-1)(S+1))1/2
F1->2,V = 1/(pS) tan-1(h/(S2-1)1/2)-(h/pS) tan-1 ((S-1)/(S+1))1/2 + Ah/pS(A2-1)1/2 tan-1 ((A+1)(S-1)/(A-1)(S+1))1/2
A= (h2+S2+1)/2S
B= (1+S2)/2S
S= 2R/D
h= 2Hf/D
F1->2,max = √(F21->2,H + F21->2,V)

Where F1->2,H = horizontal view factor

F1->2,V = vertical view factor
F1->2,max = maximum view factor
R = distance from center of the pool fire to edge of the target (m)
Hf = height of the pool fire flame (m)
D = pool fire diameter (m)

Distance from Center of the Pool Fire to Edge of the Target Calculation

4
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

R = L + D/2
Where R = distance from center of the pool fire to edge of the target (m)
L = distance between pool fire and target (m)
D = pool fire diameter (m)
R = L + D/2 = 3.564 m

Heat Release Rate Calculation

Q = m"DHc,eff (1 - e-kb D) Adike
Where Q = pool fire heat release rate (kW)
m" = mass burning rate of fuel per unit surface area (kg/m 2-sec)
DHc = effective heat of combustion of fuel (kJ/kg)
Adike = surface area of pool fire (area involved in vaporization) (m2)
kb = empirical constant (m-1)
D = diameter of pool fire (diameter involved in vaporization, circular pool is assumed) (m)
Q= 771.52 kW

Pool Fire Flame Height Calculation

Hf = 0.235 Q2/5-1.02 D
Where Hf = flame height (m)
Q = heat release rate of fire (kW)
D = fire diameter (m)
Hf = 2.305 m

S = 2R/D = 6.908
h = 2Hf/D = 4.468
A = (h +S +1)/2S =
2 2
4.971
B = (1+S )/2S =
2
3.526
FH1 FH2 FH3 FH4 F1->2,H
F1->2,H = 0.016 0.318 0.858 0.315 0.814 0.016
F1->2,V = 0.051 FV1 FV2 FV3 FV4 F1->2,V
F1->2, max = √(F 2
1->2,H +F
2
)=
1->2,V 0.054 0.027 0.147 0.210 0.814 0.051

Radiative Heat Flux Calculation

q" = EF1->2
q" = 3.05 kW/m2 0.27 Btu/ft2-sec Answer
NOTE
The above calculations are based on principles developed in the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection
Engineering, 3rd Edition, 2002.
Calculations are based on certain assumptions and have inherent limitations. The results of such
calculations may or may not have reasonable predictive capabilities for a given situation, and should
only be interpreted by an informed user.
Although each calculation in the spreadsheet has been verified with the results of hand calculation,
there is no absolute guarantee of the accuracy of these calculations.
Any questions, comments, concerns, and suggestions, or to report an error(s) in the spreadsheet,
please send an email to [email protected] or [email protected].

Prepared by: Date Organization

Checked by: Date Organization

Additional Information

Revision Log Description of Revision Date

1805.0 Original issue with final text. January 2005

5
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

CHAPTER 5. ESTIMATING RADIANT HEAT FLUX FROM FIRE TO A TARGET

FUEL ABOVE GROUND LEVEL UNDER WIND-FREE CONDITION
SOLID FLAME RADIATION MODEL
Version 1805.0
The following calculations estimate the radiative heat flux from pool fire to a target fuel.
The purpose of this calculation is to estimate the radiation transmitted from a burning fuel array to a target
fuel positioned some distance from the fire above ground level to determine if secondary ignitions are likely with no wind.
Parameters in YELLOW CELLS are Entered by the User.
Parameters in GREEN CELLS are Automatically Selected from the DROP DOWN MENU for the Fuel Selected.
All subsequent output values are calculated by the spreadsheet and based on values specified in the input
parameters. This spreadsheet is protected and secure to avoid errors due to a wrong entry in a cell(s).
The chapter in the NUREG should be read before an analysis is made.
INPUT PARAMETERS
Mass Burning Rate of Fuel (m") 0.039 kg/m2-sec
Effective Heat of Combustion of Fuel (DHc,eff) 0 46000 kJ/kg
Empirical Constant (kb) 0.7 m-1
Heat Release Rate (Q) 841.15 kW
Fuel Area or Dike Area (Adike) 9.60 ft2 0.89 m2
Distance between Fire and Target (L) 10.00 ft 3.048 m
Vertical Distance of Target from Ground (H1 = Hf1) 8.00 ft 2.4384 m
OPTIONAL CALCULATION FOR GIVEN HEAT RELEASE RATE
Select "User Specified Value" from Fuel Type Menu and Enter Your HRR here → kW

Calculate

THERMAL PROPERTIES DATA

BURNING RATE DATA FOR FUELS
Mass Burning Rate Heat of Combustion Empirical Constant Select Fuel Type
Fuel
m" (kg/m2-sec) DHc,eff (kJ/kg) kb (m-1)
Methanol 0.017 20,000 100 Scroll to desired fuel type then
Ethanol 0.015 26,800 100 Click on selection
Butane 0.078 45,700 2.7
Benzene 0.085 40,100 2.7
Hexane 0.074 44,700 1.9
Heptane 0.101 44,600 1.1
Xylene 0.09 40,800 1.4
Acetone 0.041 25,800 1.9
Dioxane 0.018 26,200 5.4
Diethy Ether 0.085 34,200 0.7
Benzine 0.048 44,700 3.6
Gasoline 0.055 43,700 2.1
Kerosine 0.039 43,200 3.5
Diesel 0.045 44,400 2.1
JP-4 0.051 43,500 3.6
JP-5 0.054 43,000 1.6
Transformer Oil, Hydrocarbon 0.039 46,000 0.7
561 Silicon Transformer Fluid 0.005 28,100 100
Fuel Oil, Heavy 0.035 39,700 1.7
Crude Oil 0.0335 42,600 2.8
Lube Oil 0.039 46,000 0.7
Douglas Fir Plywood 0.01082 10,900 100
User Specified Value Enter Value Enter Value Enter Value
Reference: SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 3rd Edition, 2002, Page 3-26.
ESTIMATING RADIATIVE HEAT FLUX TO A TARGET FUEL
Reference: SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 3rd Edition, 2002, Page 3-276.

SOLID FLAME RADIATION MODEL

q" = EF1->2
Where q" = incident radiative heat flux on the target (kW/m 2)
E = emissive power of the pool fire flame (kW/m2)
F1->2 = view factor between target and the flame

Pool Fire Diameter Calculation

Adike = pD2/4
D = √(4Adike/p)
Where Adike = surface area of pool fire (m2)
D = pool fire diamter (m)
D= 1.07 m

6
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section
Emissive Power Calculation
E = 58 (10-0.00823 D)
Where E = emissive power of the pool fire flame (kW/m2)
D = diameter of the pool fire (m)
E= 56.84 (kW/m2)

View Factor Calculation

F1->2,V1 = 1/(pS)tan-1(h1/(S2-1)1/2)-(h1/pS)tan-1((S-1)/(S+1))1/2+A1h1/pS(A12-1)1/2tan-1((A1+1)(S-1)/(A1-1)(S+1))1/2
F1->2,V2 = 1/(pS)tan-1(h2/(S2-1)1/2)-(h2/pS)tan-1((S-1)/(S+1))1/2+A2h2/pS(A22-1)1/2tan-1((A2+1)(S-1)/(A2-1)(S+1))1/2
A1 = (h12+S2+1)/2S
A2 = (h22+S2+1)/2S
B= (1+S2)/2S
S= 2R/D
h1 = 2Hf1/D
h2 = 2Hf2/D
F1->2,V= F1->2,V1 + F1->2,V2

Where F1->2,V = total vertical view factor

R = distance from center of the pool fire to edge of the target (m)
Hf = height of the pool fire flame (m)
D = pool fire diameter (m)

Distance from Center of the Pool Fire to Edge of the Target Calculation
R = L + D/2
Where R = distance from center of the pool fire to edge of the target (m)
L = distance between pool fire and target (m)
D = pool fire diameter (m)
R = L+D/2 = 3.581 m

Heat Release Rate Calculation

Q = m"DHc,eff (1 - e-kb D) Adike
Where Q = pool fire heat release rate (kW)
m" = mass burning rate of fuel per unit surface area (kg/m2-sec)
DHc = effective heat of combustion of fuel (kJ/kg)
Adike = surface area of pool fire (area involved in vaporization) (m2)
kb = empirical constant (m-1)
D = diameter of pool fire (diameter involved in vaporization, circular pool is assumed) (m)
Q= 841.15 kW

Pool Fire Flame Height Calculation

Hf = 0.235 Q2/5-1.02 D
Where Hf = flame height (m)
Q = heat release rate of fire (kW)
D = fire diameter (m)
Hf = 2.389 m

S = 2R/D = 6.721
h1 = 2Hf1/D = 4.576
h2 = 2Hf2/D = 2(Hf-Hf1)/D = -0.094
A1 = (h12+S2+1)/2S = 4.993
A2 = (h22+S2+1)/2S = 3.435
B = (1+S2)/2S = 3.435
FV1 FV2 FV3 FV4 F1->2,V1
F1->2,V1 = 0.054 0.029 0.154 0.221 0.812 0.054
F1->2,V2 = -0.002 FV1 FV2 FV3 FV4 F1->2,V2
F1->2, V = F1->2,V1 + F1->2,V2 = 0.053 -0.001 -0.003 -0.005 0.860 -0.002

Radiative Heat Flux Calculation

q" = EF1->2
q" = 2.99 kW/m2 0.26 Btu/ft2-sec Answer
NOTE
The above calculations are based on principles developed in the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection
Engineering, 3rd Edition, 2002.
Calculations are based on certain assumptions and have inherent limitations. The results of such
calculations may or may not have reasonable predictive capabilities for a given situation, and should
only be interpreted by an informed user.

7
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section
Although each calculation in the spreadsheet has been verified with the results of hand calculation,
there is no absolute guarantee of the accuracy of these calculations.
Any questions, comments, concerns, and suggestions, or to report an error(s) in the spreadsheet,
please send an email to [email protected] or [email protected].

Prepared by: Date Organization

Checked by: Date Organization

Additional Information

Revision Log Description of Revision Date

1805.0 Original issue with final text. January 2005

8
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section