Abstract: The heat release rate in the compartment fire is an important parameter to describe the fire risk. This paper summarizes the traditional methods of the obtaining the heat release rate inside the compartment fire （experimental method and theoretical calculation）, i.e., the experimental method of measuring the heat release rate inside the compartment fire using the cone calorimeter, and the calculation of the mass flow rate through the opening based on the buoyancy effect, hence, the theoretical method of calculating heat release rate by the oxygen consumption method is introduced, and its characteristics are expounded. Numerical simulation is proposed to study the heat release rate inside the compartment fire, and the accuracy of experimental and theoretical calculation is verified by typical fire case. Finally, the evolution of the heat release rate inside the fire room under the effect of ambient wind is simulated. It is found that the heat release rate inside the fire room decreases with the increase of wind speed, and the heat release rate does not change the total heat release rate in the under?ventilated condition. In future research, the heat release rate can be expected by numerical simulation method.

Key words:  compartment fire, heat release rate, numerical simulation