RP-1447 -- Performance of Stairwell Pressurization System with Open Doors

As a follow-up to RP-1203, the present project (RP-1447) was initiated by ASHRAE to investigate whether pressure compensating systems are needed to maintain tenable conditions within pressurized stairwells. For RP-1447, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) conducted full-scale fire experiments in a 10-storey facility. A tenability analysis was conducted using the experimental test results to investigate the performance of pressurized stairwell smoke control systems with and without pressure compensation. The main objective is to develop a quantifiable comparison of tenability versus time for the two approaches in the case that the pressure compensating system is found to be needed. Full-scale fire experiments were conducted in the NRC 10-storey test facility. The stairwell in the facility was pressurized. The tests were conducted with the stairwell door on the fire floor closed and selected stairwell doors on other floors open. Tests were conducted covering the following test parameters:

1. Sprinklered and non-sprinklered fires;
2. Compensating and non-compensating stairwell pressurization systems; and
3. Number and location of open stairwell doors.

This report provides: 1) a detailed description of the full-scale fire tests conducted in the NRC 10-storey facility, 2) a description of the reasoning underlying the test plan, and 3) test data recorded during the tests that were used to determine tenability in the stairwell and on the fire floor.