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http://dx.doi.org/10.9798/KOSHAM.2011.11.3.083

Full Scale Testing of the Effect of Stairwell Pressurization on Pressure Differential and Flow Velocity  

Son, Bong-Sae (Department of Fire & Disaster Protection Engineering, Kyungwon University)
Park, Kyung-Hwan (Department of Disaster Science, University of Seoul)
Chang, Young-Bae (Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, Oklahoma State University)
Publication Information
Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation / v.11, no.3, 2011 , pp. 83-89 More about this Journal
Abstract
A series of full-scale testing was conducted to examine the effect of stairwell pressurization on the pressure differential between the stairwell and the auxiliary room and between the auxiliary room and the residence. Also, flow velocity profiles at open doors were measured. The building tested was a condominium that had twenty floors above the ground and two floors underground. For pressurization of the stairs, a blower was used to supply air into the stairwell at one location underground. Thirteen different cases were tested, and test variables included the number of floors with open doors and the flow rate of the air supply. When the doors on the first floor were open, the pressure differential between the stairwell and the auxiliary room was distributed almost uniformly except for locations near the first floor. When the flow rate was in the range of 180~270 CMM and the doors of one floor were open, the flow velocity could satisfy the requirement of fire safety standards and the stairwell pressure was positive at all levels. However, the minimum pressure requirement (10 Pa) could not always be satisfied. When doors on two floors were open, the flow velocity requirement could be satisfied by increasing the flow rate, but it was found impractical to satisfy the minimum pressure requirement without causing excessive pressure differential in the area near the blower.
Keywords
Smoke control; Stairwell pressurization; Critical velocity; Pressure differential; Over pressure;
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