Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ASHRAE Stair Pressurized Systems PDF
ASHRAE Stair Pressurized Systems PDF
Ser
TH1
National Research Conseil national
no, 1618
I Council Canada de recherches Canada
c. 2 Institute for lnstitut de
BLDG Research in recherche en
- -- - Construction construction
Reprinted from
ASHRAE Transactions, 1989 NRC - CISTI
BIBLI~TH~QUE
IRC
tNxC - ICiST
NRCC 30896
On a fait m e 6tude de synthbse sub les divers types de systi5mes de mise en pression,
l'utilisation des escaliers lors de 1'Cvacuation et les exigences des codes. Des essais sans
feu et de tenue au feu ont CtC effectu6s dans la tow d'incendie de 18 Ctages du Labomtoire
national de'19incendie,au Conseil national de recherches du Canada. On a mesun5 la
dsistzaflce B l'koulement de 19airC u e p a d'escalier ouverbe B divers angles. h s profils
verticaux des Ccarts de pression de part et d9autredu mur de la cage d'escalier et ceux de la
pression de vitesse dans l'ouverture de la p r t e d'escalier ont BtC mesuds dans des
conditions d'incendie. La cage d'escalier Btant en pression, les vitesses critiques
nkcessaires pour empecher le refoulement de la fumBe dans l'ouverture de la porte
d'escalier, h 196tagede l'incendie, ont 6tC d6termin6es et compdes aux valeurs calcul6es
pour diverses temp6rature de feu.
Stair Pressurization Systems
for Smoke Control: Design Considerations
G.T. Tapura, Institute for Research in Construction, National Research Council of Canada.
THIS PREPRINT IS FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSESONLY, FOR INCLUSION IN ASHRAE TRANSACTIONS 1989, V. 95. Pt.2. Not to be reprinted In wholeor in part
without wrltten permission of the American Society of Heating. Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Inc.. 1791 Tullie C~rcle,NE, Atlanta. GA 30329. Oplnlons.
findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this pap&are those of the author@) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASHRAE
ply air fan with variable-speed, variable-pitch blades; or a Codes
supply air fan with supply air bypass dampers, all con-
The requirements in the building codes for stairshaft
trolled by a static pressure sensor in the stairshaft. The pressurization systems include supply air rates, required
supply air damper of the system described by Dias (1978)
minimum and allowable maximum pressurization, and
is controlled from a static pressure sensor to maintain a minimum air velocity through doors for number and loca-
specified pressure difference across the wall of the stair-
tion of open stair doors.
shaft. Information on such a pressure control system for
In Australian Standard 1668, Part 1 (1979), pressure
smoke control is given by Shavit (1983, 1988). differences with all doors closed are not to exceed 0.20 in
of water (50 Pa) or the force required to open the door at
the door knob is not to exceed 25 Ibs (110 N). With three
doors open, the airflow velocityfrom the stairshaft is to be
Evacuation not less than 200 fpm (1 mls), averaged over the full area
A means of egress is designed to evacuate occupants of the door opening. The pressurization system is to be
from endangered areas as quickly and efficiently as possi- automatically controlled such that when operation of doors
ble. It is based on such factors as number of occupants, or other factors cause significant variations in airflow and
occupant densities, and occupant characteristics (such as pressure differences, the above conditions are to be
physical size, need for personal space, and walking speed) restored as soon as practicable.
to meet the desired flow rates for eff icient evacuation (Fire In BOCA (1984), for buildings with afire suppression
Protection Handbook 1986). A number of evacuation drills system throughout, the smoke-proof enclosures may be
have been conducted in multi-story buildings to develop eliminated provided that all interior stairshafts are pres- 1
modelsfor predicting egress times and to assess the prob- surized to a minimum of 0.15 in of water (37.3 Pa) and a
lems encountered during evacuation (Kagawaet al. 1985; maximum of 0.35 in of water (87 Pa) in the shaft relative to
Kendik 1986; Maclennan 1985; Melinek 1975; Pauls 1975, the building with all-stairdoors closed.
1977, 1980a, and 1980b). The two methods of planned British Standard Institution BS 5588:Part 4 (1978)
evacuation are uncontrolledtotal evacuation, where build- recommends a simple lobby to reduce the effect of an
ing occupants attempt to evacuate at the same time, and open door to the pressurized stairshaft. The required
controlled selective evacuation, where the building occu- pressurization is 0.20 in of water (50 Pa).
pants evacuate under instruction from a public address The City of New York Local Law No. 84 (1979) requires
system. The results of an evacuation drill using each a supply air rate of at least 24,000 cfm (11.33 m3/s) plus
method are compared by Pauls (1980a). 200 cfm (0.094 m3/s) per floor. The maximum velocity of
Of particular interest for the design of stairshaft pres- air suppliedat the openings into the stairs is 3000 fpm (15.2
surization and for code requirements is the operation of m/s) at its point of dischargewithin the stairshaft.The max-
stair doors during evacuation, which can cause loss of imum permissible pressure difference between the stair
pressurizationand, hence, the capability of the system to and the floor space is 0.40 in of water (100 Pa) with the door
prevent smoke from infiltrating the stairshaft. Operation of open or closed. The minimum permissible pressure dif-
stair doorscan vary with the method of evacuation, occu- ference is 0.10 in of water (25 Pa) when all stair doors are
pant density, type of building occupancy, firefighting closed or not lessthan 0.05 in of water (0.125 Pa) when any
operation, and other factors. Under uncontrolled total three doors are open. As an alternativeto the maintenance
evacuation, all stair doorscan be open for a short time soon of 0.05 in of water (0.125 Pa), a minimum average velocity
after sounding of an alarm except for the doors on the fire of 400 fpm (2 rnls) through the stair door with any three
and exit floors, which can be open for a prolonged period. doors open is to be maintained. The maximum velocity
During controlled selective evacuation, a few doors other permitted through a single open door with all other doors
than those on the fire and exit floors may be open for a short closed is 2000 fpm (10.2 rnls). The door-opening force at
period at any given time. Evacuation in a building of resi- the door knob is limitedto 25 Ibs (110 N) using mechanical
dential occupancy can be prolonged, as reported by assistance as required.
Bryan (1983) on the MGM Grand Hotel fire. Because of low The Supplement to the National Building Code of
occupant density, doors are likely to be open for con- Canada (1985), Chapter 3, "Measures for Fire Safety in
siderably shorter periods in hotels and apartments com- High Buildings," recommends a supply air rate of 10,000
pared to those in off ice buildings. cfm (4.72 m3/s) plus 200 cfm (0.094 m3/s)for every door
The literature on evacuation was reviewed to assist in opening into the stairshaft. The exit door to outdoors in
scheduling of door operation for testing of stair pressuriza- each stairshaft is to be held open when the supply air fan
tion systems to be conducted during the second and third is initiated.
phases of the research project. The Standard Building Code (1985) specifies smoke-
The critical velocities requiredto prevent smoke back- proof enclosures. They may be omitted for buildings with
flow in a corridor has been developed by Thomas (1970) a complete sprinkler system provided that all required stair-
in terms of energy release rate into the corridor. Also, Shaw ways are equipped with a dampered relief opening at the
and Whyte (1974) dealt with the velocity requiredto prevent top and supplied mechanically with sufficient air to dis-
contaminated air from moving through an open doorway charge a minimum of 2500 cfm (1.18 m/s)through the relief
in the presence of small temperature differences. Klote and opening while maintaininga minimum.positive pressure of
Fothergill (1983) discussed these references in the 0.15 in of water (37.3 Pa) relative to atmospheric pressure
ASHRAE smoke control design manual. with all stair doors closed.
1 SERV
Figure 1 Experimental fire tower Figure 2 Plan of the experimental fire tower
UNE OF AGREEMENT
z
Note:
A Male, 6ft 1 in (1.84 rn), 160 Ib (72.6 kg)
B Male. 5 R 9 in (1.75 rn), 170 1b (77.2 kg)
3 C Male. 5 R 7 in 1 70 m , 150 lb (68.1 kg)
(I) D Male, 5 ft 0 in [1:52 rn], person C crouched
NOTE: -1000 A' Cardboard cylinder, 6 ft 0 in (1.83 rn), 1 R (0.305 m) diarn.
STAIR DOOR OPENING B' Cardboard cylinder, 5 ft 9 in (1.75 rn), 1 R (0.305 rn) diarn.
0 ~ 3 nx 7 n D' Cardboard cylinder, 5 ft 0 In (1.52 rn), 1 ft (0.305 rn) diarn.
(0.92 m x 2.13 m)
HOT-WIRE ANEMOMETER TRAVERSE, The point of smoke backflow while the supply air rate
AIR FLOW RATE, cfm was being adjusted was determined by observing the
movement of 2 in (51 mm) long thin plastic strips placed
Figure 4 Comparisonof airflow measurementsat stair door opening along the top of the door with their ends exposed 1 in (25.4
using 9, 15, and 21 point hot-wire anemometer traverse
mm) in the gas flow.
of 570°F (300°C) and 1300°F (700°C) and with the outside
wall vents of 10 ft2 (0.929 m2)closed and also with them RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
open to simulate broken windows.
The fire temperatures were measured directly above Hot Wire Anemometer Traverse
the burners and just below the ceiling and were controlled The results of the 9-, 15-, and 21-point traverses are
at the test temperatures by adjusting the propane gas flow shown in Figure4. With the airflow in one directionthrough
rate. The tests were conducted to obtain vertical profiles of the door opening, the airflow rates were calculated by
pressure differences across the stairshaft wall caused by multiplyingthe average air velocity by the area of the door
the fire. opening. These were plotted against the rates measured
2. With the stair door open at 90' and without stair- at the airflow measuring station in the supply air duct. The
shaft pressurization,tests were conducted at fire temper- airflow rates obtained usingthe 9-pointtraverse were about
atures of 570°F (300°C) and 1300°F (700°C) and with the 20% higher, while the airflow rates obtained with the 15-
outside wall vents closed and also with them open. They and 21-pointtraverses agreed with those measured at the
were conducted to obtain the vertical profiles of pressure airflow measuring station. Becausethe difference in time
differences across the stairshaft wall and the velocity pres- taken to conduct a 15-or a 21-point traverse is minimal, the
sures at the stair door opening. 21-point traverse is recommended for a standard-sized
3. With the stair door open at 90° and with the stair- door when testing a stair pressurization system in the field.
shaft pressurized with bottom injection, tests were con-
ducted at afire temperature of 570°F (300°C); the outside Flow Resistance of Stair Door Opening
wall vents were closed. The supply air rate was adjustedto For each test condition, the value of the flow coeffi-
the point of no gas backflow into the stairshaft and the rate cient, K, was calculated for pressure differences of 0.05,
recorded. The test was repeated with the outside wall vents 0.10, and 0.15 in of water (12.5,25, and 37.5 Pa). The value
open. of K was relatively constant and within 2% of its average
4. With the stair door open at 90° and with the stair- value for the range of test pressure differences; hence, only
shaft pressurized with bottom injection, tests were con- the average values are presented in Table 1.
ducted at afire temperature of 1075OF(600°C); the outside The values of K for various door angles for both bot-
wall vents on the second floor were open, as the windows tom air injection and multiple injection (floors 1,3,5,7, and
are likely to break at this temperature. The supply air rate 10) are shown in Figure 5. The angle of 5O is intended to
to the stairshaft was adjusted to the point of no gas back- represent an opening with a 2.5 in (63 mm) diameter fire
flow at the stair door opening. hose in a doorway, 60° an opening when a person is pass-
5. Same asTest 3, except that the stair door was in the ing through a doorway, and 90° a fully open door. The
60° open position. curve, fitted to the data, is relatively smooth for multiple in-
6. Same asTest 4, except that the stair door was in the jection, with values of 0.06,0.65, and 0.73 for 5O, 60°, and
60° open position. 90°, respectively. The values obtained with bottom injec-
PRESSURE DIFFERENCE ACROSS
1
AIR INJECTION IN STAIRSHAFT STAIRSHAFT WALL, Pa
ON FLOOR 1,3,5,7, AND 10 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10
Y
I--
0.8
AIR INJECTION AT BOTOM
OF STAIRSHAFT
12
10 -
I
,
&3
I
\/is00
Q
570 F
I r I
-/'
E
0 0.4
a=
- 2.0 , -
3 6- I
3 P
w
LL I NEUTRAL PRESSURE ,1.5 2
0.2 NOTE: - -
LEVEL
tion are above and below this curve; the corresponding Figure 6 Pressure difference across stairshaft wall with stair door
values are 0.14, 0.59, and 0.85. The values of K were ap- open and closed on fire floor
parently affected by the method of air injection, which
affected the approach and entry conditions of the airflow
at the door opening.
The values of K with people or body simulators in the
door opening (door open at 60°) with bottom injection of
supply air to the stairshaft are given in Table 1. Without any-
body in the doorway, K was 0.59; with one person, K varied
,-
-0.12
0 200
FIRE TEMPERATURE, "C
400
ELEVATOR SHAFT
STAIRSHAFT
800 1000
"0
Critical Velocity Figure 7 Pressure difference across stairshaft wall and elevator shaft
wall for various fire temperatures (pressure difference
In this paper the average air velocity at the stair door measured 10 ft f3.08m] above 2nd floor level)
opening on the fire floor required to prevent smoke from
entering the stairshaft is referred to as the critical velocity
to prevent smoke backflow. It iscalculated by dividing the a previous study on fire pressures by Tamura and Klote
airflow rate that is just sufficient to prevent smoke backflow (1988). These previousvalues, along with the pressuredif-
by the area of the stair door opening. ferences measured in this study, are plotted against fire
Figure 6 shows the pressure difference across the wall temperatures in Figure 7. The neutral pressure level of the
of the stairshaft (stairshaft pressure - burn area pressure) elevator shaft is located at 5.58 ft (1.7 m) above floor level.
without stairshaft pressurization; that is, the pressure dif- The pressure differences were calculated using the follow-
ference caused only by the buoyancy force for fire temper- ing buoyancy equation:
atures of 570°F (300°C) and 1300°F (700°C). The P, - Pf = ghp,(T, - T,) I Ti (2)
pressure differences are about the same, whether the stair
door is closed or open. The neutral pressurelevel is located where
4.80 ft (1.46 m) above floor level. P, - Pi = pressure difference across the shaft wall
Pressure differences across the walls of the stair and 9 = gravitational constant
elevator shaft were measured at the 10 ft (3.048 m) level in h = distance from the neutral pressure level
VELOCITY PRESSURE, Pa VELOCITY PRESSURE, Pa
-10 -5 0 5 10 15
8 I I I
-
- yF
'"a\.
(580 "C) -
- 5mFA\ -
NOTE:
"" OC) i -
;REFERENCE PRESSURE
BURN AREA
STAIR DOOR -
3Rx7R(O.92mx2.13m)
EXERIOR WALL VENTS OPEN
I I I I
0
-0.04 -0.02 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06
01 I I 1 VELOCITY PRESSURE. INCHES OF WATER
-0.04 -0.02 0.00 0.02 0.04
VELOCITY PRESSURE, INCHES OF WATER Figure 9 Centerline velocity pressure on fire floor with stairshaft
,
pressurized to prevent smoke bachflow
Figure 8 Centerline wlocity pressure profile at open stair door (90°)
on fire floor
FIRE TEMPERATURE, "C