What do zone models predict in a fire scenario?

Zone models are designed to simulate and predict fire behavior in enclosed spaces by representing the fire as a series of discrete zones, typically involving two distinct layers: a hot upper layer and a cooler lower layer. The primary focus of these models is to determine how temperature and smoke will distribute within a room during a fire incident.

In a typical zone model, the thermal and smoke stratification in a room is analyzed, allowing investigators to understand how heat rises and how smoke gathers at different levels. This is crucial for fire investigators as it aids in assessing the impact of fire on the environment, potential movement of fire and smoke, and ultimately influences decisions regarding evacuation strategies and firefighting tactics.

While fire growth in multiple rooms and external weather conditions can impact fire dynamics, these factors are not the primary focus of zone models. Similarly, while the type of fire extinguishing agents may be important in fire suppression tactics, they are outside the modeling parameters of fire behavior prediction within single room settings in the context of zone models. Therefore, the correct answer focuses on the specific predictions related to temperature distributions within the zones of a fire.