NFPA-APSEI Fire & Security 2010

Smoke control in industrial buildings

Paul Compton, Colt International Ltd

A brief introduction

Private British Company founded in 1931

Owned by OHea family and the Colt Foundation (charity) Current Group Turnover 160 million (190 million Euro)

Main manufacturing plants in the UK & Holland

Represented in Portugal by Colt Portugal S.A. in Lisbon

I J OHea. Colt Founder

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Introduction

Average per year in Portugal: 55,000 fires 51 fire deaths

Typically 60% of fire deaths and injuries caused or partially caused by smoke inhalation

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Regulations in Portugal Smoke ventilation

Decreto-Lei n. 220/2008
Portaria n. 1532/2008

Despacho n.

2074/2009

Industrial and warehouse buildings are classified as type XII according to the Decreto-Lei n.220/2008.

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Regulations in Portugal Smoke ventilation Type XII buildings with a risk category of 2o and above require smoke ventilation if: Larger than 400m2 and Used as a warehouse Design: Should follow an accepted norm Should limit smoke reservoirs to 1600m2 and 60m length

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Sprinklers and ventilation

SPRINKLERS Will limit fire spread and control growth Will not reduce smoke damage

VENTILATION Will prevent smoke logging Assist escape Aid fire fighting

Sprinklers are designed to reduce damage, but offer limited benefit to occupants. Smoke ventilation alone will not save the building but is primarily designed to assist escape.

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings What is protected?

Life safety by increasing time available for safe evacuation Fire fighters by improving conditions for search ad rescue and fire fighting

Property by helping fire fighters, limiting smoke spread, reducing smoke temperatures

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Smoke spread

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Components of a system

db

margin

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Design Norms European CEN/TR 12101-5 British BS 7346-4 and BS 7346-5 American NFPA 204 and many others

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Example project (Distribution centre)

112 m x 139 m 15570 m2

22.6 m to ridge
20.1 m to valley

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Design process

Design process
Determine fire size and heat output. Identify clear layer height required. Divide roof space into smoke reservoirs. Calculate mass flow of smoke entering reservoir. Calculate smoke layer temperature. Establish effect of sprinklers on layer temperature, if any. Calculate aerodynamic free area of natural ventilation or extract rate for mechanical ventilation. Calculate plug-holing requirement and calculate number of ventilators. Equipment selection, system design

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Example project (Distribution centre) 6 smoke reservoirs smoke barriers along red lines down to 19.1m (above racking)

Fire (in rack sprinklers): 12MW convective, 6m perimeter

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Design process

Design process
Determine fire size and heat output. Identify clear layer height required. Divide roof space into smoke reservoirs. Calculate mass flow of smoke entering reservoir. Calculate smoke layer temperature. Establish effect of sprinklers on layer temperature, if any. Calculate aerodynamic free area of natural ventilation or extract rate for mechanical ventilation. Calculate plug-holing requirement and calculate number of ventilators. Equipment selection, system design

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Components of a system

STEADY STATE
Mass in = mass out Heat in = heat out Account for sprinkler cooling by limiting smoke layer temperature to sprinkler bulb temperature
= mass flow rate here

Mass flow rate here

Mass flow Ceiling sprinkler temperature

= 99 kg/s = 141 oC

Calculated smoke temperature = 135 oC

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Design process

Design process
Determine fire size and heat output. Identify clear layer height required. Divide roof space into smoke reservoirs. Calculate mass flow of smoke entering reservoir. Calculate smoke layer temperature. Establish effect of sprinklers on layer temperature, if any. Calculate aerodynamic free area of natural ventilation or extract rate for mechanical ventilation. Calculate plug-holing requirement and calculate number of ventilators. Equipment selection, system design

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Components of a system

Area depends on mass flow rate, smoke depth and smoke temperature Also upon ratio of inlet to exhaust
Depth
(3.5m)

mass flow rate

Aerodynamic area

= 21.9 m2

Minimum number of ventilators = 2 (4 chosen) (for each reservoir 1.3% roof area equivalent)

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Typical equipment

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Product certification

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Maintenance

SHEVS need maintenance and testing

Typical regime Test weekly or monthly and inspect/maintain annually Yes it costs time and money but it provides confidence and awareness

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings Conclusion

What conditions do you want for escape and fire fighting?

A properly designed smoke ventilation system can save lives and property is a cheap system a false economy?

NFPA-APSEI Fire & Security 2010

Smoke ventilation in industrial buildings

The End

End Thank you

Thank You