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Chapter 4: Smoke control acceptance and testing
pressure difference across the door, measure the force
necessary to open each door, using a spring-type scale.
The building system designer should establish a
consistent procedure for recording data throughout the
entire test . The stair tower side of the doors will always
be considered as the reference point and the floor side
of the doors will always have the pressure difference
value (positive if higher than the stair tower and negative
when less than the stair tower). Since the stair tower
pressurization system is intended to produce a positive
pressure within the stair tower, all negative pressure
values recorded on the floor side of the doors indicate a
potential airflow into the floor.
The VM-1 system designer, working with the building
system designer, should verify the proper activation of
the stair tower pressurization systems in response to all
means of activation, both automatic and manual, as
specified in the contract documents. Where automatic
activation is required in response to alarm signals
received from the building's smoke control system, each
separate alarm signal should be initiated to ensure that
proper automatic activation occurs. Automatic weekly
testing of dedicated systems should be conducted to
verify all components operate as installed and
programmed and that the test time is agreeable to the
building owners. Verify and document the proper
operation of all fans, dampers, indicators, and related
equipment for each separate smoke control system
zone.
With the stair tower pressurization system activated, the
building system designer should measure and record the
pressure difference at points similar to those evaluated
in zoned smoke control and atrium systems.
After recording the pressure difference across each
closed door, measure the force necessary to open each
door. Use the established procedure to record data
throughout the test. The local code and contract
documents should be followed regarding the door to be
opened for this test.
With the stair tower pressurization system activated,
open the doors required by the system design, one at a
time, and measure and record the pressure difference
across each remaining closed stair tower doors after the
opening of each additional door. After recording the
pressure difference across each closed door, measure
the force necessary to open each door. Use the
established procedure to record data throughout the test.
The local code and contract document requirements
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should be followed regarding the number and location of
doors that need to be opened for this test.
With the stair tower system activated, and all required
doors open, determine and record the direction of airflow
through each of the open doors. This can be done by
using a small amount of smoke at the open doorway. If
velocity measurements are required, a door opening
traverse needs to be performed with the door fully open.
Stairwell pressurization systems typically have a smoke
detector at the stair intake to stop fans should smoke
begin to enter from the outside. There must be a manual
override on the system to keep fans operating should a
qualified emergency person determine that the smoke
infiltration is minor. Testing of the override feature should
be in the acceptance procedure.
Elevator shaft pressurization
systems
Shaft systems may incorporate exhausting of air from
the fire floor, pressurization of elevator lobbies,
pressurization of the elevator hoistway or by construction
of smoke tight elevator lobbies with pressurization. The
type or combination of designs will dictate system
operation and testing. Elevator recall and the use of
elevators while the shaft or lobby is pressurized will be
an integral part of the test procedure developed.
The piston effect due to car movement on elevator shaft
pressurization has been researched and is discussed in
several of the texts referenced in Chapter 1. There are
no recommended tests to determine how shaft
pressurization might be impacted with car movement.
Elevator door testing currently assumes a median value
for pressures developed against a door independent of
car movement. No dynamic testing of the shaft
pressurization system with car movement is therefore
dictated.
The building system designer must define smoke control
sequences for design and testing and measure and
record pressure differences in a manner similar to those
described for stairwells.
Using smoke control input devices, verify the proper
activation of the shaft pressurization system in response
to all means of activation, both automatic and manual,
as specified in the contract documents. Where automatic
activation is required in response to alarm signals
received from the building smoke control system, each
VM-1 Smoke Management Application Guide
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