RP-976 -- Buoyant Smoke Flow in Atrium Smoke Management PDF

This report presents the results for the joint ASHRAE and NRC project to investigate buoyant smoke flow in atrium smoke management. This includes a review of previous research on the interaction of sprinkler spray with a smoke layer, heat release rate from sprinklered fires and smoke movement for sprinklered fires.

A large-scale test facility was set-up in the NRC Burn Hall facilities located near Almonte, Ontario. This facility was used to investigate smoke movement from a sprinklered compartment into a large open area. Four series of full-scale tests were conducted using the test facility:

• Steady state propane burner fires.
• Steady state propane burner fires with opposed airflow.
• Combination of unsteady and steady propane burner fires.
• Mercantile fire tests.

The results of these 4 series of tests are summarized in this report. These results are used to determine the effectiveness of atrium smoke management systems for sprinklered fires in a compartment connected to the atrium space.