Abstract: Based on the assumption of an irregular ceiling, a model was established for predicting smoke filling time in a compartment with ceiling vents. 24 experiments were conducted in a compartment with an interior dimension of 3.0 m(L)×3.0 m(W)×1.95 m(H). Four pool fires with diameters of 0.10, 0.14, 0.20 and 0.30 m, six ceiling vents with areas of 0.01, 0.04, 0.09, 0.14, 0.25, and 0.32 m2 were used in the experiments. Two methods for measuring smoke filling time with temperature and light extinction were used. A comparison of the model prediction results with those of the experiments shows a good agreement between them.

Key words: compartment fire, ceiling vent, smoke filling time