Li YZ, Huo R, Chow WK (2002) On the operation time of horizontal ceiling vent in an atrium. Journal of Fire Sciences 20(1), 37-51. [In English]

Web link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0734904102020001831

Keywords:

ventilation, enclosure, behavior,

Abstract: Smoke control by a horizontal ceiling vent in an atrium is studied in this paper. A bi-directional airflow moving upward and downward across the vent might be observed and this would affect the efficiency of smoke extraction. Whether the flow is bi-directional or uni-directional depends on the pressure difference across the vent upon activation. Before opening the horizontal ceiling vent, the pressure difference should be higher than a critical value. Thickness of the smoke layer formed under the ceiling before opening the vent is found to be important. The required smoke layer thickness for getting such a critical pressure is discussed in this paper. Two situations of no temperature difference between the inside and outside of the atrium, and the outside temperature is higher than the inside temperature, are considered.