How is pool fire flame height calculated?

Pool fire flame height is most commonly calculated using the Thomas (1963) correlation: H/D = 42 * (m_dot / (rho_air * sqrt(g * D)))^0.61, where H is the flame height, D is the pool diameter, m_dot is the mass burning rate per unit area, rho_air is ambient air density, and g is gravitational acceleration. This correlation is valid for pool diameters from about 1 meter to over 50 meters.

What is the typical burning rate for hydrocarbon pool fires?

Burning rates vary by fuel type. For large pool fires (D > 1 m): crude oil burns at 0.035-0.060 kg/(m2·s), gasoline at 0.055-0.065 kg/(m2·s), diesel at 0.035-0.045 kg/(m2·s), condensate at 0.050-0.065 kg/(m2·s), and LNG at 0.080-0.100 kg/(m2·s). These are mass burning rates per unit area of the pool surface.

How does pool containment affect fire radiation?

Containment (dike or berm) limits the maximum pool diameter, which directly controls flame height and radiation. Without containment, a liquid spill spreads until the burning rate equals the spill rate, potentially creating a very large pool. Diked areas should be sized per API 2610 and NFPA 30 to limit the pool area and thus the radiation hazard to nearby equipment and personnel.

Pool Fire Modeling Calculator | Burning Rate, Flame Height & Radiation

Pool Parameters

Fuel Type

Pool Size Input Method

Pool Diameter

Pool Area

ft²

Containment Type

Mass Burning Rate

kg/(m²·s)

Heat of Combustion

kJ/kg

Liquid Density

kg/m³

Environment & Receptor

Wind Speed

mph

Ambient Temperature

°F

Relative Humidity

Distance to Receptor

Measured from pool edge, not pool center

Understanding Pool Fire Modeling

What is a Pool Fire?
A pool fire occurs when a flammable liquid spill ignites, forming a diffusion flame above the liquid surface. The fire is buoyancy-dominated, with flame height determined by the pool diameter, burning rate, and ambient conditions. Pool fires are the most common fire scenario in tank farm and pipeline operations.

Key Parameters:
Flame Height: Thomas correlation H/D
Burning Rate: fuel-specific (kg/m²·s)
SEP: 30-150 kW/m² (fuel dependent)
Tilt: Beyler/AGA wind tilt model

Key Standards:
SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, Mudan & Croce (1988), Thomas (1963), API RP 752, NFPA 30 (Flammable Liquids Code), API 2610 (Terminal Operations).

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Understand pool fire burning rate correlations, Thomas flame height model, radiation modeling, and containment design principles

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Results

Flame Height

feet

Pool Diameter -

Mass Burning Rate -

Total Heat Release -

Flame Tilt Angle -

Surface Emissive Power -

View Factor -

Transmissivity -

Radiation at Distance -

Safe Distance (4.7 kW/m²) -

1st Burn (12.5 kW/m²) -

Equipment (15.8 kW/m²) -

Formulas

H/D = 42 × (𝐎" / (ρ_a√(gD)))^0.61

Thomas: Flame height correlation (1963)

SEP: f_rad × 𝐎" × H_c

Radiation: q = SEP × F × τ

Tilt: cos(θ) = f(u*)

Standards & References

SFPE Handbook
Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering
Mudan & Croce
Fire Hazard Calculations for Large Open Hydrocarbon Fires
Thomas (1963)
Size of Flames from Natural Fires
NFPA 30
Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
API RP 752
Permanent Occupied Buildings

Typical Burning Rates

Crude oil: 0.035-0.060 kg/(m²·s)
Condensate: 0.050-0.065 kg/(m²·s)
Gasoline: 0.055-0.065 kg/(m²·s)
Diesel: 0.035-0.045 kg/(m²·s)
Kerosene: 0.040-0.050 kg/(m²·s)
LNG: 0.080-0.100 kg/(m²·s)

Pool Fire Modeling Calculator

Pool Parameters

Environment & Receptor

Understanding Pool Fire Modeling

📚 Learn the Theory

Results

Formulas

Standards & References

Typical Burning Rates

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