Search
Close this search box.

Smoke extraction engineering

Smoke extraction engineering:

Expertise

Continue browsing :

Table of contents

Our latest news:

Learn more:

Fire safety engineering

Data center fire safety: Automatic Gas Extinguishing Systems (IEAG)

Our projects :

Our fields of intervention :

Smoke extraction engineering

It is imperative to design the installations with adequate occupant safety and compliance with fire safety rules. Our studies help architects and engineers simulate fire and smoke spread to design smoke control systems for buildings, subways and other installations open to the public.

The objective is to evaluate and understand the airflow pattern and smoke propagation over time in the space concerned during a fire. The study also highlights potential design improvements by monitoring airflow patterns, identification of dead air pockets, assessment of average air age, fan projection, and building air velocities. It is possible to evaluate the performance of the smoke control system using CFD analysis and study the smoke movement, temperature and visibility profile under various fire scenarios.

At the same time, we may have to carry out evacuation studies in order to reinforce the relevance of the selected evacuation scenarios.

Play Video
CFD simulation of smoke propagation over time

We realize :

  • Fire and smoke extraction simulations
  • Transient calculation of the smoke distribution
  • Transient temperature calculations
  • Optimization of the design of regulatory, technical and organizational fire protection

Optimization of fire protection and smoke extraction

When considering complex buildings, it appears that existing guidelines and regulations are sometimes too general to reliably assess the interactions between a fire and the development of flue gas. Thus, it happens that the technical solution cannot be fully validated by regulatory provisions such as IT246 and thatan unfavourable opinion is given by the control office while the smoke extraction system is functional.

When creating a smoke control concept, we use calculation methods in which the interaction between :

  • Ventilation of the room and location of the fire
  • Smoke fire and blown air
  • Fire smoke and exhaust air
  • Thermal and ambient pressure
  • The impact of an unfavorable wind
  • Start-up time of mechanical systems

The digital simulation allows to calculate the smoke, the temperature and the pressure curve as a function of time.

  • the height of the smoke layer (clearance)
  • temperature distribution in spaces
  • concentration distribution of flue gases
  • the temporal and spatial evolution of flue gas propagation
  • Visibility study through smoke

CFD simulation can be used for complex building and space models. It is used to model the release of smoke, the temperature and the pressure curve as a function of time.

In this way, we are able to justify the design of smoke extraction for complex buildings and large atriums.

Modeling visibility through smoke

Visibility through smoke defines the distance an evacuation sign can be seen from a smoke-filled environment. Our studies allow us to define this distance according to the resulting air flow, the type of fire, the location of the fire and the properties of the heat load.

This information helps designers determine the location of exit signs in enclosed environments and verify that clearances remain fully passable. When smoke fills a room, visibility of exit signs is vital for safe evacuation.

Play Video

We provide the necessary justifications to the control offices

Thanks to the fire and smoke extraction simulations, we can determine at an early stage which smoke extraction systems and which natural ventilation openings are in compliance. We analyze smoke nests in trapped areas and make structural and technical suggestions to keep smoke-free escape routes. With the help of videos, we can to illustrate the propagation of smoke gases and thus agree on the necessary measures in consultation with all those involved in the design.

Evolution of the smoke distribution in the corridors according to different configurations of smoke extraction

We organize the discussions with the inspection offices in order to justify the design with regard to an interpretation of the standard. The many years of experience we have gained in large projects are particularly advantageous in this context.

Smoke control engineering : on the same subject