Final answer:
The rate at which fires double in size in a high-rise building is highly variable and depends on various factors. Engineering specifically fire engineering, studies these dynamics to ensure appropriate fire safety measures. The student's question does not have a singular answer due to the complexity of fire behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question about how often the contents of high-rise buildings double in size due to heat release rates is rooted in the study of fire dynamics and safety, which falls within the field of engineering, particularly fire engineering. However, the student's question does not provide specific enough information to accurately determine the doubling rate of a fire's size, as this can vary widely depending on many factors such as the materials involved, the geometry of the space, and available oxygen.
Fires can grow exponentially under the right conditions, but the rate at which they double in size, known as the 'doubling time', is highly variable. It's important to note that fires in high-rise buildings can be particularly dangerous and complex due to factors like air infiltration, which can supply a fire with more oxygen, thus potentially increasing the heat release rate (HRR).
Newly constructed homes, for comparison, are designed to manage air exchange more efficiently through means like weather stripping, caulking, and improved window seals, whereas in a fire scenario, such mechanisms may influence the fire's growth differently. Fires in enclosed spaces, such as high-rise buildings, need to be studied with precision to ensure fire safety measures are appropriately implemented.