- Author
-
Tamura, G. T.
- Title
- Assessment of Stair Pressurization Systems for Smoke Control.
- Coporate
- National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
- Journal
-
ASHRAE Transactions,
Vol. 98,
No. 1,
66-72,
January 25, 1992
- Report
-
NRCC-35059,
1992,
7 p.
- Keywords
-
smoke control
|
pressurization
|
stairways
|
stairwells
|
overpressure
|
literature reviews
|
field tests
|
computer models
|
air velocity
|
backflow
|
pressure differential
|
venting
|
doors
- Identifiers
- critical air velocities; experimental fire tower studies; description of test stair pressurization systems; mechanical venting of the fire floor; stair pressurization system with exit door relief; air-injection method
- Abstract
- An ASHRAE research project (RP-559) was undertaken to investigate the peifonnance ofvarious methods of overpressure relitiffor stair pressurization systems. The project consisted of four phases - a literature review of stair pressurization systems, field tests, fire tower tests, and computer model stodies. The types of overpressure relief systems investigated were exit door relief, barometric damper relief, and feedback control, either withfan bypass, a variable-pitch blode fan, or a variable-speed fan. A related ASHRAE research project (RP-660) was conducted to determine the critical air velocities required to prevent smoke bacliflow at a stair door opening for various fire conditions. Using the results of these two research projects, this paper assesses the peifonnance of stair pressurization systems and makes recommendations for their suitable application.