Sprinklers and Smoke Management in Enclosures

Dalia E.E. Khalil, Essam E. Khalil

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9780367860684
• eBook ISBN: 9781000066418
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Mechanics

This book addresses smoke management in enclosures and provides a platform for understanding the principles of smoke propagation and spread, heat release rate, and the effect of sprinklers on suppression. Considering how sprinkler systems have become a vital part of firefighting systems in enclosures, the book evaluates the effect of sprinkler activation on the behavior of fire-induced smoke and the interaction of water particles with the smoke layer. It studies two base case models where the sprinklers' effect on the fire curve was considered. This base case was assessed with two smoke extraction systems, namely, a ducted system and an impulse ventilation system. By focusing on key elements, such as visibility, ceiling height, and fire curve, the results of the study will be of interest to mechanical engineers, HVAC professionals, and fire safety professionals and investigators.

Features

• Includes case models and scenarios to evaluate real examples from different applications
• Studies the effect of sprinkler activation on the behavior of fire-induced smoke
• Explores various factors, such as ceiling height, sprinkler operating pressure, and fire curve
• Discusses the interaction of water particles with the smoke layer
• Utilizes Pyrosim software for CFD modeling

Authors

Prof. Dr. Essam E. Khalil (PhD, London, DIC) obtained his BS (1971) and MS (1973) in mechanical engineering from Cairo University, Egypt, and DIC (1976) and PhD (1977) from Imperial College of Science and Technology, London University, UK. Currently, he is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Power Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt, since June 1988. He has over 48 years of experience in design and simulation of combustion chambers for terrestrial and aerospace applications. He has published 14 books in English and over 960 papers in journals and conference proceedings on combustion, energy, HVAC, and indoor air quality control. He developed and delivered advanced courses in heat transfer, gas turbine combustion, and terrestrial energy.

He is a fellow of ASME, ASHRAE, and AIAA, and an ASME George Westinghouse Gold Award recipient in 2009 and ASME Harry Potter Gold Award recipient in 2012. He is a certified consultant engineer, PE.

He is a convenor of ISO TC205 WG2: Design of Energy Efficient Built Environment and convenor of ISO TC163 WG4 Holistic approach to Energy Performance of Buildings. He is a member of CEN TC371 WG1 and Egyptian Smart Cities Code Committee, and chair of Egyptian and Arab HVAC Code Committee, Egyptian Ventilation Code Committee, and Egyptian Indoor Air Quality Code Committee.

Dr. Dalia Essam E. Khalil, PhD obtained her BS (2010) in mechanical engineering, MS (2012) in energy efficiency for middle-income housing and PhD (2019) in sprinklers modeling on car parks from Cairo University, Egypt. Currently, she is working as CFD specialist and LEED Accredited Professional at Dar Al-Handasah, part of Dar Group, with ten years of experience in design and simulation of HVAC and firefighting systems, wind simulations, smoke management systems, and healthcare facilities

1

Introduction

1.1 Sprinklered Car Parks

Over the past few years, many national codes and standards have enforced the installation of sprinkler system in buildings and enclosed car parks, such as the Egyptian code for car parks [1] and NFPA88A [2]. Sprinklers not only save lives and decrease the annual death rates but also protect properties and decrease the costs associated with restoration after the fire event. According to a survey conducted in car parks in UK between 1994 and 2005, of the 3,096 reported fires, only 162 incidents had sprinklers installed, 16 (9.9%) operated and extinguished the fire, 84 (51.9%) operated and contained/controlled the fire, 1 (0.6%) operated but did not contain/control the fire, and 61 (37.6%) did not operate (Note that those that “did not operate” are likely because the fire was too small) [3] (Figure 1.1).

FIGURE 1.1
Suppression system effectiveness [3].

1.2 Smoke Control

By definition, smoke control systems (or smoke management systems) are mechanical systems that control the movement of smoke during a fire. Most systems aim to protect occupants while they are being evacuated or being sheltered in place. The most common systems referenced in current codes are atrium smoke exhaust systems and stair-pressurization systems. In some specialized cases, zoned smoke control systems may be provided. These feature zones or floors that are either pressurized or exhausted to keep smoke from spreading. The International Building Code (IBC) contains mandatory provisions for smoke control systems. Designers can find National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA)’s detailed provisions in two nonmandatory documents, the Recommended Practice for Smoke Control Systems (NFPA 92A) and the Guide for Smoke Management Systems in Malls, Atria, and Large Areas (NFPA 92B).

The manual controls required or provided for smoke control systems are a primary consideration for the fire service. These manual controls can override automatic controls that activate these systems. When fire department personnel arrive, they can assess whether the automatic modes are functioning as intended. Incident commanders may then use the manual controls to select a different mode or to turn any given zone off. It is imperative that these controls override any other manual or automatic controls at any other loc...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• List of Abbreviations and Symbols
• Authors
• Appendix
• References
• Index