Fire escape pressurization fans are critical processes that ensure evacuees can breathe more comfortably in the intense smoke generated during any fire incident. At this point, fire escapes become endangered due to the pressure caused by the heated air and smoke on the fire door. However, when appropriate measures are carried out safely, fire escapes cease to be a hazard and instead become a crucial detail that saves lives in emergencies.

Fire escape pressurization systems must be designed and implemented by expert teams, taking technical and scientific details into account. For this, you can always rely on the experienced professionals at ERF Group for support.

What is Fire Escape Pressurization?

Fire escape pressurization is a system designed to prevent toxic smoke and gases produced during a fire from endangering the lives of people in the stairwell by supplying air to the stairwell. The air provided ensures that smoke does not infiltrate the fire escape, safeguarding both the rescue teams responding to the incident and the individuals being evacuated. In this way, the fire escape fully fulfills its intended function.

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Today, stairwells are designed to have much better fire resistance compared to the rest of the building. In other words, while the rest of the building may be burning, stairwells prevent the fire from spreading, allowing people to safely evacuate. When a fire occurs in any building, the stairwell pressurization fan forces clean outside air into the stairwell to prevent smoke from blocking the escape route.

In the case of a fire in a high-rise building, the stairwell pressurization fan (SPF) uses clean outside air to pressurize the air in the stairwell. This pressurized air assists people in escaping the fire while enabling firefighters to intervene more effectively. ERF Group products stand out with highly professional and innovative technology in this field, offering advanced features.

Stairwell pressurization systems are designed to ensure that, during a fire, the stairwell maintains significantly higher pressure than the rest of the building. This high pressure in the stairwell pushes smoke back to the ground when doors are opened, keeping the escape route clear of smoke.

Serving as a smoke-free escape route, it also acts as a smoke-free entryway for firefighters combating the fire. The fire alarm system can automatically activate when it detects smoke. If the fire alarm system does not activate the pressurization fans during the firefighting process, firefighters can manually turn them on.

In this scenario, when people open doors to escape the fire and reach the stairwell, smoke naturally rises from the fire zone into the stairwell. ERF Group's stairwell pressurization systems ensure that stairwell pressurization fans push smoke back to the ground, keeping the stairwell free of smoke and safe for evacuation.

When is Fire Escape Pressurization Necessary?

The situations in which fire escapes, also referred to as emergency staircases, require pressurization are clearly outlined in the relevant regulations. According to Article 89, the following conditions must be strictly applied by both importers and installation companies:

  • Pressurization is required if the stairwell is higher than 30.50 meters (excluding residential buildings),
  • Escape staircases in buildings with more than 4 basement floors must be pressurized,
  • Pressurization is mandatory for escape staircases in buildings taller than 50.51 meters,
  • Emergency elevator shafts must also be pressurized.

In the scenarios mentioned above, fire escape pressurization is a critical issue. It is essential not only legally, as required by regulations, but also morally, as it concerns the safety of human lives. Building inspection firms and local government construction services must ensure careful compliance with these requirements. If any deficiencies are identified during inspections, these issues must be rectified, and the buildings should not be approved until the necessary corrections are made.

What Are the Application Requirements for Fire Escape Pressurization?

Fire escapes can never be pressurized arbitrarily; it is essential to follow proper procedures. To achieve effective results, it is necessary to perform technical analyses based on scientific knowledge. The following applications must be carefully observed during the pressurization process:

  • The maximum force required to open the fire door during a fire must not exceed 110 Newton. Neither the smoke nor the components responsible for the automatic closing of the door should exert excessive pressure. The door should be able to open without exceeding this force limit.
  • The pressure difference between the fire escape and the building's interior must be at least 50 Pa. This technical requirement ensures that smoke does not seep through when the doors are closed.
  • The average airspeed should be at least 1 m/s when a door is fully open. This prevents toxic smoke from the burning parts of the building from entering the escape stairs. Adjusting the airspeed accordingly is also necessary to prevent the smoke from being discharged into the clean air.
  • For optimal functionality of fire escape pressurization, the building should be designed so that at least 2 internal doors and 1 fire door remain open simultaneously.
  • Frequency-controlled fan systems are required to balance any potential overpressure in the stairwell.

It is crucial to design fire escape pressurization systems using scientifically-backed information and tailor them to the building's specific calculations. Engineers specializing in this field must carefully calculate the required pressure. Detailed information is provided to users by the Chamber of Architects and Engineers.

Key considerations during fire escape pressurization include sealed doors, air volume, leakage areas, airflow leakage rates, measurements, airflow data from outdoor escape doors, leakage data from non-fire zones, airflow leakage data for pressurized elevator shafts, required airflow for fully closed doors, speed criteria, pressure difference criteria, barometric dampers, and smoke evacuation vents on each floor.

During a fire, factors such as thermal expansion, smoke, natural convection, and the chimney effect tend to push smoke into stairwells, elevators, and other vertical shafts. This smoke spreading throughout the building hinders firefighting efforts and compromises people's ability to escape safely.

ERF Group Quality in Fire Pressurization Systems

 

Stairwell pressurization systems are among the most effective methods to prevent this issue. Since the 1960s, fire escape pressurization systems have become increasingly popular for protecting stairwells in high-rise buildings from harmful elements such as smoke. ERF Group's pressurization systems are designed to block smoke from entering stairwells, elevator shafts, and vertical ducts, while also removing it from the area where the fire originated by generating high pressure through mechanical ventilation.

With these systems, ERF Group ensures smoke-free stairwells, preventing the spread of smoke throughout parking areas and enabling people to escape danger much more safely. Additionally, these systems assist firefighters in reaching the fire source more effectively.

The fire pressurization systems include automatic control systems consisting of fire alarms, safety switches, smoke detectors, and devices positioned in locations suitable for fire safety. ERF Group meticulously addresses every detail to be considered in a fire situation, consistently delivering professional and comprehensive solutions. With its commitment to excellence, ERF Group continues to grow and evolve, maintaining a strong reputation in the industry.

The pressure in fire escape pressurization systems must not exceed the recommended maximum level; excessive pressure would make it significantly harder for individuals to open doors manually. For this reason, ERF Group ensures that pressure levels are carefully calculated and maintained at appropriate levels during construction and installation. If smoke enters the area, the door must be immediately closed. Leaving the door open would create larger gaps, allowing the air inside the stairwell to escape. Over time, the air in the escape area and the area outside the fire zone would balance out.

This balance, however, could lead to the return of toxic gases containing smoke and fire into the stairwell, posing a serious health hazard. Therefore, choosing the right company is a critical factor in ensuring safety. ERF Group stands out as a leading company, consistently delivering top-quality solutions in fire pressurization systems. As a pioneer in the ventilation industry for many years, customer satisfaction remains a top priority for ERF Group. To experience the quality and reliability of ERF Group services, visit our website and consult our team of experts for professional guidance.