Analysis and Prediction of Air Leakage Through Door Assemblies.
Analysis and Prediction of Air Leakage Through Door
Assemblies.
(494 K)
Gross, D.; Haberman, W. L.
U.S./Japan Government Cooperative Program on Natural
Resources (UJNR). Fire Research and Safety. 10th Joint
Panal Meeting. June 9-10, Tsukuba, Japan, 129-131 pp
AND International Association for Fire Safety
Sciences. Fire Safety Science. Proceeding. 2nd
International Symposium. June 13-17, 1988, TH9112.F4626
1989, Tokyo, Japan, Hemisphere Publishing Corp., New
York,Wakamatsu, T., Hasemi, Y., Sekizawa, A., Seeger, P.
G., Pagni, P. J. and Grant, C. E. Editor(s), 169-178 pp,
1989 pp, 1989.
Keywords:
door assemblies; air leakage; air flow
Abstract:
A generalized relationship is presented for determining
air flow rates through narrow gaps around door edges.
The relationship provides values of leakage rates for
steady, laminar flow through gaps over a wide range of
pressure differences and eliminates approximations
associated with the often inappropriate use of discharge
coefficients and exponents in the flow equation. The
analysis covers straight-through, single bend and double
bend gaps of constant thickness, as well as connected
gaps of constant thickness. Comparison of measured flow
rates for installed stairwell door assemblies with those
predicted by use of the relationship shows agreement
within 20 percent. The volumetric flow of heated air
through simple door gaps has been calculated by use of
the relationship. The results show that the flow rate
may increase or decrease with temperature depending on
gap size and flow region.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899