SEDL / STP / STP1082-EB / STP23527S

Experimental Fire Tower Studies on Controlling Smoke Movement Caused by Stack and Wind Action

Tamura, GT
Senior research officer, Institute for Research in Construction, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario

Klote, JH
Leader, Center for Fire Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD

Pages: 13    Published: Jan 1990

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Abstract

Studies have been undertaken to develop a fire-safe elevator for evacuating handicapped people and for aiding firefighters. Methods were 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 conducted in a ten-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. The tests demonstrated that mechanical pressurization of the elevator shaft or lobbies can be effective in preventing smoke contamination of these shafts and lobbies.