SR197 Effective passive roof venting using roof panels in the event of fire: Part 1 - modelling results (2018)

This report comprises Part 1 of a three-part series on aspects investigating passive buoyancy-driven roof fire vents in large floor area single-storey buildings.

The objective of this report is to present and discuss the preliminary modelling performed to investigate required general material properties and building design for fire venting using roofing panels that are assumed to form openings when exposed to hot combustion gases. Recommendations based on the analysis of this investigation are presented.

The scope of this report is limited to researching the appropriateness of buoyancy-driven fire venting relying on the passive failure and subsequent dislodgement of plastic materials to create the opening of the roof vent within the limitations of the modelling approaches applied. Assessment of specific materials and proprietary systems was outside the scope of this project, since roof construction method, specific engineering additives to the base material and geometry (e.g. thickness) contribute to the fire venting performance of the sheeting.