Open Access

ARTICLE

A Numerical Investigation of Smoke Propagation in Atrium Fires: Role of Make-Up Air Velocity and Fire Source Position with Polystyrene Fuel

Mohamed Gamal^1,#, Hamdy Ashour^1,#, Omar Huzayyin², Maran Marimuthu³, Ghulam E Mustafa Abro^4,*, Lina Mohamed¹

1 Mechanical Engineering Department, Misr University for Science and Technology, Giza Governorate, 3237101, Egypt
2 Mechanical Engineering Department, Cairo University, Giza Governorate, 12613, Egypt
3 Department of Management, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar, 32610, Malaysia
4 Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Aviation and Space Exploration (IRC-ASE), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia

* Corresponding Author: Ghulam E Mustafa Abro. Email:
# These authors contributed equally to this work

Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2025, 21(8), 2027-2046. https://doi.org/10.32604/fdmp.2025.067678

Received 09 May 2025; Accepted 11 August 2025; Issue published 12 September 2025

Abstract

Atrium spaces, common in modern construction, provide significant fire safety challenges due to their large vertical openings, which facilitate rapid smoke spread and reduce sprinkler effectiveness. Traditional smoke management systems primarily rely on make-up air to replace the air expelled through vents. Inadequate calibration, particularly with air velocity, can worsen fire conditions by enhancing oxygen supply, increasing soot production, and reducing visibility, so endangering safe evacuation. This study investigates the impact of make-up air velocity on smoke behaviour in atrium environments through 24 simulations performed using the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). Scenarios include various fire intensities (1, 3, 5 MW) and make-up air velocities (1–3.5 m/s), with fire sources located at the centre, northeast, and southwest corners. The simulation model was validated using updated full-scale fire test data with polystyrene fuel, leading to heightened soot density and reduced smoke clear height. This Research design diverges from other studies that predominantly utilized propane pool fires and concentrated on axisymmetric (Fire at the center of the atrum), Northeast and Southeast corners of the atrium scenarios by using polystyrene—a widely accessible construction material and examining several asymetric fire sites, so providing a more authentic depiction of atrium fire settings. Research reveals that increased air velocities, especially when directed at the fire, result in greater soot density and reduced smoke clearance due to intensified combustion. The northeastern region consistently displayed high temperature readings, highlighting the importance of fire source positioning in smoke behaviour. The study recommends limiting make-up air velocity to 1 m/s to avert turbulence and guarantee safety. This research provides critical insights for fire safety design and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, namely SDG 9 and SDG 11, by promoting safer and more resilient construction practices in urban environments.

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