• International Journal of Technology (IJTech)
  • Vol 8, No 7 (2017)

Modeling of Smoke Control in Underground Parking-garage Fires

Modeling of Smoke Control in Underground Parking-garage Fires

Title: Modeling of Smoke Control in Underground Parking-garage Fires
Beline Alianto, Nabila Astari, Darendra Nareshwara, Yulianto Sulistyo Nugroho

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Published at : 27 Dec 2017
Volume : IJtech Vol 8, No 7 (2017)
DOI : https://doi.org/10.14716/ijtech.v8i7.779

Cite this article as:
Alianto, B., Astari, N., Nareshwara, D., Nugroho, Y.S., 2017. Modeling of Smoke Control in Underground Parking-garage Fires. International Journal of Technology, Volume 8(7), pp. 1296-1305

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Beline Alianto Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering University of Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia
Nabila Astari Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering University of Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia
Darendra Nareshwara Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering University of Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia
Yulianto Sulistyo Nugroho - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering University of Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia
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Email to Corresponding Author

Abstract
Modeling of Smoke Control in Underground Parking-garage Fires

Smoke is the real threat in a fire in an enclosed, underground parking garage, and is a significant issue and very critical for firefighters dealing with fire. Special attention should be paid to fire safety, especially for those with multiple floors underground. A model of the smoke movement in a basement was established using Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) 6.0 software. In this paper, the study undertaken used a basement model of 60 m (length) × 30 m (width) × 3 m (height) and has three typical floors. Smoke ventilation shafts were provided for the basement. A well-controlled liquid pool fire with a heat release rate (HRR) of 2 MW was used as an input parameter. The ventilation strategy was achieved through a mechanical exhaust fans and make-up air fans. The required ventilation was based on the air changing ten times per hour. The following parameters were varied: the location of the fire, the presence or absence of sprinklers, the presence or absence of a smoke-extraction system, the presence or absence of openings for incoming air, and the presence or absence of a jet fan and ducting. The impact of jet fans (induction type) was also addressed in several simulations. Smoke modeling was investigated under different fire scenarios. Simulations were conducted for smoke and heat control using forced, mechanical, horizontal ventilation. When the combination of a jet fan and ducting was applied, the fastest time for smoke removal was achieved compared to the other scenarios.

Basement ventilation; Fire; Jet fan; Mechanical fan; Smoke exhaust

Conclusion

Even though a fire in a basement is a rare event and such a fire may be initiated in numerous ways, it is important to provide sprinklers and mechanical ventilation in underground parking garages. Sprinklers are the vital components in an active fire protection system. When sprinkler activation does not occur, such as in a space with no sprinklers, the ambient ceiling temperatures are increased and the fire is allowed to continue to burn. In comparison, where there are no sprinklers applied and proper ventilation, the production of smoke exceeds the capacity for smoke extraction, which causes the whole basement to be filled by smoke. Even when sprinklers are provided, the absence of a smoke exhaust fan might lead to smoke remaining in the basement for a prolonged period of time, in spite of the fact that the fire is completely extinguished by the sprinklers. The provision of jet fans may result in migration of smoke that is faster than conventional ventilation without jet fans. This study showed that having sprinklers, make-up air fans, smoke-extraction fans, jet fans, and ductwork gives the fastest smoke-removal time in a basement fire.

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Fire Safety Engineering Research Group and Thermodynamics Laboratory of Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Indonesia for providing supports and great discussion.

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