Impact of changing the air leakage flow rate in protected spaces on maintaining stable pressure

Abstract

The main idea of fire pressure differential systems (PDS) in the building is to prevent the passage of smoke into protected spaces such as escape routes, fire escape routes, fire-extinguishing windows, elevator shafts, lobbies, stairwells and all rooms that should remain free from fire smoke. In order to maintain the required pressure difference between the protected space and the rest of the building (the value depends on the applicable legal provisions and standards), it should be determined how large leaks occur in the partitions of protected spaces. This is the basic criterion for the proper selection of the aeration unit efficiency. Previous studies have focused on confirming the effectiveness of pressure systems assuming a constant level of leakage. The purpose of the currently conducted tests was to determine what effect a change in the leakage of the housing of the protected space has on the conditions of maintaining the overpressure. The pressure parameter was analyzed in terms of the stability of the maintained overpressure and the dynamics of achieving the assumed values of the pressure difference.