Design of Smoke Control Systems for Areas of Refuge.
Design of Smoke Control Systems for Areas of Refuge.
(1280 K)
Klote, J. H.
DE-93-10-2;
ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 99, No. 2, 793-807, 1993.
Keywords:
smoke control; refuge; elevators (lifts); evacuation;
handicapped; life safety
Abstract:
In the event of a fire, there is a rising concern for
the safety of persons who cannot travel building
emergency exit routes in the same manner or as quickly
as expected of able persons. One proposed solution for
providing safety for persons with mobility limitations
is the concept of areas of refuge (AOR) where these
people can "safely wait" until they can be assisted in
leaving the building. This paper presents information
about the design of smoke control systems to prevent
smoke infiltration into an AOR. Pressure differences
produced when windows break, both with and without wind,
can be significant, and the design of a smoke control
system for an AOR needs to address these pressure
differences. The paper identifies the need for wind
data specifically for the design of smoke control
systems. The pressure fluctuations due to opening and
closing building doors during fire situations can also
be significant, and the design of a smoke control system
for an AOR needs to address these fluctuations. An
example of analysis incorporating the pressure effects
of broken windows, wind, and open doors illustrates the
feasibility of designing smoke control systems for areas
of refuge.
