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Smoke audit

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Smoke audit

The objective is to carry out an assessment of the systems in place, to measure the interior temperature conditions and to characterize the main thermo aeraulic conditions of the space in order to establish an assessment of the installations in place. In industry, we can carry out smoke audits in order to calibrate the numerical simulations with respect to real phenomena.

Among other things, the audit consists of taking air temperature and air speed measurements , analyzing the movement of smoke bombs, producing a video support and an audit report allowing feedback of experience for all the actors. Additional recommendations (use of louvers, cellar access doors, etc.) will be made based on the various observations on site.

This page broadly details the conduct of the audit in order to explain our mission protocol.

Preperation

Before the measurement campaign, the meteorological data will be recorded (temperature, wind speed and direction) in an open site and at the enclosure. Two independent temperature and hygrometry sensors will allow the continuous reading of outdoor conditions during the measurement phase.

For specific sites, in the production phase in particular, the measurement phase must be supervised by the site teams. During this preparation phase, the measurement protocol will be explained to the site teams who will have been informed of our intervention. Before the launch of the tests, the production team leaders will once again be informed of the current mission protocol in order to avoid any incidents during the release of test fumes.

Measurement phase

The smoke tests are carried out using a so-called ” warm ” smoke machine which generates a large quantity of smoke in the volume. This type of smoke makes it possible to apprehend the macroscopic movements inside the volumes.

The fumes are generated from a liquid based on water and non-polluting glycol and authorized in ERP. We will proceed in successive stages from the air inlets to the extraction of the test fumes.

It will be a question of studying the aeraulic tendencies of the buildings. The analysis of the flows in the existing configuration and the estimation of the temperatures for a given configuration will make it possible to define the impact of the design on the thermal environment.

A series of air speed readings will make it possible to define the major aeraulic tendencies in the volume and to determine the infiltration rates at the entrances (basement, louvers, windows, etc.).

Regarding measurements on air, each measurement point will be characterized by:

  • Its location
  • The average air speed over a period of (minimum 15 seconds).
  • Vane anemometer for velocities> 1m/s (door opening for example).
  • Omnidirectional ambient anemometer for speeds< 1m/s
  • Air temperature
  • Direction of flow

The various measurement points will be located on a map and photographed on a plan and photographed to facilitate identification in the report. The report will also include simplified diagrams representing the directional air flows.

A mapping of the phenomena will retrace the circulations of the air veins observed in a schematic manner. The yellow arrows represent modifications that we made to the buildings (free action of the operators) to test the different air streams resulting from it . Areas of discomfort will be identified on these diagrams if they exist.

On the other hand, the smoke tests applied to the IS machines will make it possible to check that the lubricating fumes are correctly evacuated or to explain the origins of the problems of recirculation.

Video of the smoke

A video montage in the form of a twenty-minute film will be produced. The videos of smoke from the various phenomena will be commented live and these explanations will be completed in the measurement report. These videos are particularly effective for understanding in-situ the thermo-aeraulic mechanisms at work in buildings.

The film will detail the smoke protocol and will simply explain the aeraulic phenomena observed.

Complementary measure

Infrared thermography study

At the same time, we are planning other types of measures:

  • A series of surface temperature readings via a pyranometer
  • Infrared thermography video
Infrared thermography study

This type of reading makes it possible to observe any disorder linked to excessively intense radiative exchanges (proximity to the furnace casing, stagnation of hot air mass, etc.). On the other hand, it makes it possible to illustrate the radiative problems in the work areas.

Other measures are possible depending on the phenomena observed on site and the problems studied

Audit report

The audit report will summarize all the measurements and observations on site. Temperature and air speed levels for workstations will be clearly presented. The sources of discomfort if existing and their origins will be presented and illustrated.

Recommendations for use may be made based on the observations of the engineers with regard to their expertise and on-site findings.

A comparison and a critical reading of the numerical simulations carried out during the design will be carried out. The objective will be to identify any differences between the numerical analysis and reality in order to determine the causes (poor entry condition in the numerical simulation, particular phenomena, etc.).

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