OR-94-12-1 -- Sensitivity of a Stairwell Pressurisation System to the Airtightness of Building Components PDF

Describes SMOKESIM, a computer program that can predict the pressure differences to be maintained across building partitions by a fan system installed for smoke control. A major input to the program is the airtightness data of the various building components. Since designers do not have these data when designing the smoke control systems, the capability of SMOKESIM may not be useful in the design stage. Investigates this issue by studying the sensitivity of the required capacity of the smoke control fan to errors in the airtightness of building components. States three buildings were simulated, using SMOKESIM to do the sensitivity analysis. Notes that the published leakage data can be used to form two leakage combinations for the same building that lead to different design decisions concerning the stairwell pressurisation system.

KEYWORDS: Smoke ventilation, computer programs, stairwells, pressurised stairs, designing, pressurisation, air tightness, components, buildings