Wind-driven burn experiments at Governors Island, NY

Governors Island is located south of New York City (Manhattan). It is isolated and not open to the public for residence. In February 2008, a series of 14 experiments were conducted in a seven-story building to evaluate the ability of positive pressure ventilation fans, wind control devices, and external water application with floor below nozzles to mitigate the hazards of a wind-driven fire in a structure. Each of the 14 experiments started with a fire in a furnished room. The air flow for 12 of the 14 experiments was intensified by a natural or mechanical wind. Each of the tactics was evaluated both individually and in conjunction with each other to assess the benefit to firefighters, as well as occupants in the structure. (Read New York Times Article)

The results of the experiments provide a baseline for the hazards associated with a wind-driven fire and the impact of pressure, ventilation, and flow paths within a structure. Wind created conditions that rapidly caused the environment in the structure to deteriorate by forcing fire gases through the apartment of origin and into the public corridor and stairwell. These conditions would be untenable for advancing firefighters. Each of the tactics was able to reduce the thermal hazard created by the wind-driven fire. Multiple tactics used in conjunction with each other were very effective at improving conditions for firefighter operations and occupant egress.

Fire departments that wish to implement the tactics used in this study will need to develop training and determine appropriate methods for deploying these tactics. Variations in the methods of deployment may be required due to differences in staffing, equipment, building stock, typical weather conditions, etc. There is uniformity however, in the physics behind the wind-driven fire condition and the principles of the tactics examined. The data from this research will help provide the science to identify methods and promulgation of improved standard operating guidelines (SOG) for the fire service to enhance firefighter safety, fire ground operations, and use of equipment.