SHELTER HABITABILITY IN EXISTING BUILDINGS UNDER FIRE EXPOSURE

Abstract
Experiments were performed in full scale buildings to obtain information regarding the habitability of fallout shelters in existing buildings under fire exposure. One two-story and two three-story buildings of masonry and wood joist construction were used. The fire load of the room of fire origin consisted of a large crib (2x4 inch lumber) with the remainder of the structures loaded with furniture typical of residential construction. Results indicate that oxygen depletion in an active fire zone will be reproduced throughout interconnecting spaces. Carbon monoxide concentrations of 75 percent of those in the active fire zone were found at places removed from the fire but on the same or higher levels. For these buildings, wind-induced pressure differences were greater than fire-induced pressure differences and thus would have had greater effect on the infiltration of fire gases through shelter barriers. The long lasting effects debris fires in contact with the shelter were found to produce dangerous heating of the shelter.

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