- Author
- Tamura, G. T. | Klote, J. H.
- Title
- Experimental Fire Tower Studies on Controlling Smoke Movement Caused by Stack and Wind Action.
- Coporate
- National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg,MD
- Report
- ASTM STP 1082
- Book or Conf
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Characterization and Toxicity of Smoke. International Symposium. ASTM Committee E-5 on Fire Standards. ASTM STP 1082. December 5, 1988, ASTM, Philadelphia, PA, Phoenix, AZ, Hasegawa, H. K., Editors, 165-177 p., 1990
- Keywords
- smoke movement | elevators (lifts) | fire safety | handicapped | elevator shafts | wind | stack effect
- Abstract
- Studies have been undertaken to develop a fire-safe elevator for evacuating handicapped people and for aiding firefighters. This paper describes the methods developed for predicting adverse pressure differences across the walls of the elevator shaft and lobbies caused by wind and building stack action and in combination with those caused by a fire. The predictions were verified by tests that were conducted in a 10-story experimental fire tower. The level of mechanical pressurization required to prevent smoke contamination of elevators could be determined by summing the pressure differences caused by these forces. Tests demonstrated that mechanical pressurization of the elevator shaft can be effective in preventing smoke contamination of these shafts and lobbies.