3785 (RP-677) -- Effect of Automatic Sprinkler Protection on Smoke Control Systems PDF

Notes conflicting opinions in the fire protection community about the effect of automatic sprinkler systems on fires and smoke production. Describes a series of experiments involving shielded, sprinklered fires conducted at the National Fire Laboratory's full-scale fire test facility near Ottawa, Canada. Illustrates the test room used. Presents the results in some detail concerning the effects of sprinklers on - the heat release rate of shielded fires, heat flux to the surroundings, buoyancy pressures, gas concentrations, smoke spread and smoke production. Discusses the implications of the findings for the design of zoned smoke control systems. Summarises the findings and notes areas where additional research is needed.

KEYWORDS: Fire protection, sprinklers, automatic, research, experiment, Canada, smoke, smoke ventilation, designing.