Analysis of the Influence of Piston Effect on Elevator Smoke Control.
Analysis of the Influence of Piston Effect on Elevator
Smoke Control.
(351 K)
Klote, J. H.
NIST SP 983; NBSIR 88-3751; 24 p. April 1988.
Collected Publications Related to the Use of Elevators
During Fires. NIST SP 983. May 2002, Bukowski, R. W.;
Burgess, S. R.; Reneke, P. A., Editor(s)(s), 2002.
Available from:
TO VIEW NIST SP 983 GO TO
Website:
http://wtc.nist.gov/pubs/elevators
Order number: PB88-215504
Keywords:
smoke control; elevators (lifts); hazard analysis;
piston effect; pressurization; smoke
Abstract:
This paper is part of a joint project between the United
States and Canada to evaluate the feasibility of using
elevators for the evacuation of the handicapped during a
fire. The transient pressures produced when an elevator
car move in a shaft are a potential problem for elevator
smoke control. Such piston effect can pull smoke into a
normally pressurized elevator lobby. This paper
presents an analysis of an elevator smoke control system
emphasizing the influence of piston effect on system
performance. For most elevators the problem can be
overcome by designs that prevent smoke from being pulled
into lobbies, and equations for the amount of
pressurization air to accomplish this are developed for
two arrangements of supply air outlets. Where this
approach is not feasible, the methods of analysis
presented in this paper can be used to determine smoke
infiltration for a hazard analysis.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899