@article{ref1,
title="On the use of sprays to intercept airborne embers during wildfires",
journal="Fire safety journal",
year="2019",
author="Green, Alan and Kaye, Nigel B.",
volume="108",
number="",
pages="e102842-e102842",
abstract="This technical note outlines an initial assessment of the feasibility of using water sprays to intercept and extinguish airborne embers, as a means to protect buildings during wildfires. An analytical model was developed to calculate the probability of inter-particle collisions within two intersecting streams of particles, and was then applied to a range of test cases involving embers and water droplets. <br><br>RESULTS from this simplified analysis indicated that water sprays could effectively protect buildings from 'ember attack' in this manner, but only when either: i) large water flow rates were used (in the order of 1 L s−1 per metre of building perimeter to be protected), or ii) the sprays were comprised of very small (~0.1 mm) droplets at moderate water flow rates (~0.1 L s−1 m−1). It is likely that the quantity of water required to satisfy (i) would not be available in many circumstances, and further investigation is required to determine whether sprays of ~0.1 mm droplets could operate effectively in the conditions of a wildfire. The analysis presented herein would be a suitable basis for further investigation into these spray systems, and for quantitative comparison with other types of wildfire sprinkler systems.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0379-7112",
doi="10.1016/j.firesaf.2019.102842",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2019.102842"
}