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8/12/2019 Firedynamics Ashrae Nw Ar

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An Overview of Building Fire and

Smoke Control Systems Design and Commissioning

presented to

Arkansas ASHRAE ASHRAE Chapter 62

by

Steve Williams, P.E. | Brian Olsen, P.E.


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Introduction - General

Over 35 years of design experienceSupport staff of 350

Local Office

Wide variety of project types

#1 Retail firm in U.S.

(based on number of projects and square footageRetail Construction Magazine-2006)

Specialty division of Henderson Engineers, Inc.Staff of 30 fire protection professionals

Nationwide exposure

Significant fire alarm, suppression and

code consulting experience

HEI - Lowell

HEIKansas City


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IntroductionPresentation Overview

Overview of Smoke Control

Engineered Smoke Control Systems

Stairwell Pressurization

Atrium Smoke Evacuation Lobbies

Malls

Health Care

Anesthetizing Locations


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IntroductionWhat is Smoke Control

Passive vs. Active

Passive Smoke Resistant Construction

Smoke Barriers20 minute rated openings

Active

Pressurization Systems

High-rise of old

Healthcare

Atrium Smoke Exhaust

Exhaust

Makeup Air

Stair Towers

Exhaust

Makeup Air


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IntroductionWhy Smoke Control

Inhalation injury from smoke and the noxious

products of combustion in fires may account

for as many as 75% of fire-related deaths in

the U.S.

Key concept - minimize vertical smoke

migration. Passive smoke control is known

for poor maintenance. Unsealed

penetrations, terminations, etc. Basic concept of Smoke Control is to allow

occupants to reach a protected means of

egress

Fire Department Operations Tool (arguable

purpose but fire departments will use it this

wayfire fighters control panel)

Architectural Design Flexibility

Atlanta Marriot 47 Story

Fire Example


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IntroductionSmoke Development


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Part 1 CodesApplicable Codes/Guidelines

2003 International Building Code (IBC), Section 909

NFPA 101Life Safety Code

NFPA 92ARecommended Practice for Smoke Control

Systems

NFPA 92BGuide for Smoke Management in Malls,

Atria, and Large Areas

ASHRAE 1999 HVAC Applications, Chapter 51

ASHRAE Principals of Smoke Management Handbook

Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

Building Inspector

Fire Marshall-State and Local


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Part 1 CodesWhere Required

Atriums (IBC 404.4)

Enclosed Malls meeting Atrium definition (IBC 402.9)

High-rise

Windowless BuildingsPrisons (IBC 408.8)

Smoke Protected Seating (IBC 1024.6.2.1)

Healthcare

Stair Towers (IBC 1019.1.8)

75 ft above fire department access


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Part 1 CodesSmoke Control Methods

IBC 909 does not specify a specific type of smoke control

system. Options include: Pressurization

.05-inches water gauge across smoke barriers

Airflow

Air Curtain Exhaust

Atriums


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Part 1 CodesExhaust Method

Prescriptive Design

5 MW Steady State Heat Release 20 Minute Duration

Performance Design

Rational Analysis2006 IBC

Times 1.5 X Egress Time

Fire based on fuel load

4.6 MW 260 Seconds

1 MW at 7 Minutes


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Part 1 CodesExhaust Method

Prescriptive Design

5 MW Steady State Heat Release (IBC 909.9) Rather large for some scenarios

20 Minute Duration (IBC 909.4.6)

20 minute smoke barrier opening protection

Tenability (IBC 909.8.1) 10-feet smoke interface 2003 IBC

6-feet smoke interface 2006 IBC

Exhaust Capacity

Axisymmetric Plume (IBC 909.8.2)

Balcony Spill Plume (IBC 909.8.3)

In calculations air density must be adjusted for elevation and smoke

temperature. SeeASHRAE Principals of Smoke Management

Handbook


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Part I CodesExhaust Method Air Movement

Exhaust

Stratification Stack Effect

Plugholling

Makeup Air

Natural or Mechanical

85% total exhaust is rule of thumb

200 fpm maximum velocity towards fire

Distortion of smoke plume

Introduce Below Smoke Layer


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Part 1 CodesEquipment Criteria

UL Listings

Fans Smoke Dampers

Fire Alarm Control Panel

BAS

Fire Fighters Smoke Control Panel Fire Command Center?

Equipment Temperature Ratings

IBC 909.10.1

Initiation as required by Rational Analysis

Sprinklers

Manual Pull Stations

Properly Zoned Sprinkler Waterflow Detection


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Part 2 DesignSmoke Control Design Team

Specialty Engineered System

Multidiscipline Effort Architect

MEF

Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)


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Part 2 DesignArchitectural Component

Smoke Control Objective

Aesthetics Automatic Door Hardware

Owner/Team

Communication

Alternatives


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Part 2 DesignMechanical Engineering Component

Makeup Air Configuration

Exhaust Air Configuration


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Part 2 DesignMechanical Engineering Component

Fan Specification (IBC 909.10.5)

1.5 X Belts Required for Design Duty Minimum 2 Belts

Fan Temperature Ratings

Duct Specifications (IBC 909.10.2)

Withstand fire pressures and temperatures

Field Tested to 1.5 X maximum design pressure

Smoke Damper Approach

Omit where air path is instrumental to system operation

Fire Damper Approach

Higher Temperature Heat Links

BAS

Positive Indication of Fan Status


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Part 2 DesignElectrical Engineering Component

Primary Power

Secondary Power Dedicated Fire Resistant ATS/Secondary Power Room

60 Second Transfer Time (IBC 909.11)

15 minute duration UPS for volatile memory BAS

(IBC 909.11.1).

2


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Part 2 DesignFire Protection

Engineering Component

Design Approach/Rational Analysis

Design Fire Stack Effect/Hot Air Stratification

Temperature/Wind Effect

HVAC System Considerations

Plugholling Duration of Operation (Egress Calculations)

P 2 D i Fi P i


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Automatic Sprinkler System

Zone Coordination Fire Alarm and Detection System

Firefighters Smoke Control Panel

Special Inspections

Part 2 DesignFire Protection

Engineering Component

P 2 D i A h i H i


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Part 2 DesignAuthority Having

Jurisdiction Component

Interpretations

Design Approval Acceptance Criteria


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Part 3 CommissioningGeneral

Why Commission

Prove System Functionality Develop Benchmark for Future Testing

Commissioning Concerns

Outside Normal Services

Educate Architects/Contractors/Owners Early

Commissioning Team

Owner

Engineers

AHJ

Air Balance and Test Group


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Part 3 CommissioningPreparation

Construction Completion/PartialOccupancy

Inspection

Component Level Testing

Functionality Test

Pre-test

Test System as a Whole

Final Acceptance Test

Presence of AHJ

Smoke Test if Required

Early AHJ coordination can avoids

this


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Part 3 CommissioningSmoke Testing

Subjective - Smoke testing is extremely subjective although

it will be required in many jurisdictions. NFPA 92Adiscusses smoke testing in detail. NFPA 92A (2002)

Section A.5.3.3.6. speaks to the limited value of smoke

testing.

Hot/Cold Smoke Testing

Limitations


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Part 3 CommissioningSmoke Testing (cont)

Smoke Bombs

Superior Smoke Smoke Volume

Discharge Time

Smoke Generators

Theatrical Units


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Part 3 CommissioningAir Balance Test Reports

Air Balance Contractor

Clear Scope Exhaust Fans

Makeup Air Fans

Makeup Air Inlets

Capability to Adjust Equipment


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Part 3 CommissioningInitiation

Fire Alarm

Smoke Detection Manual Alarms

Waterflow


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Part 3 CommissioningInitiation (cont.)

Fire Fighters Smoke Control Panel

Status Indication Control


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Part 3 CommissioningSecondary Power

Fans

Controls Reboot


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Questions?

Thank you.

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