Deterministic fire risk assessment via pyrolysis modelling on a large public space of a very large passenger vessel

This study presents a deterministic novel methodology, in the context of shipboard fire safety, able to derive realistic design fire scenarios without the necessity of probabilistic models. Utilisation of thermogravimetric analysis tests and differential scanning calorimetry along with other relevant fire parameters allow for the modelling of the thermal decomposition of the available materials and for the generation of flammable vapours, leading to the modelling of the pyrolysis phenomenon. From this analysis, the use of pyrolysis modelling was adequately demonstrated in way of a fire risk assessment simulation on a large public space on board a very large passenger ship. Utilisation of real materials commonly found in such enclosures enabled for a robust depiction of the fire risk without the need of probabilistic methods which are ridden with uncertainty. Furthermore, the data intensiveness of such an approach is adequately demonstrated whilst the scarce availability of material thermal properties was also highlighted. Nevertheless, such an approach can be employed for almost all shipboard geometries provided that the fire behaviour data of the materials present are available.