SMOKE CONTROL IN HOSPITALS - A NUMERICAL STUDY

This study has shown that smoke can be controlled and egress time can be increased in case of fire in hospital wards by manipulating the ventilation system. Swedish hospital beds have been tested and production rates of heat, smoke and toxic gas species have been recorded. These results have then been used in a theoretical room fire model (a zone model) and temperature, smoke density and thickness of the hot smoke layer have been predicted. The model allows for considering the influence of forced ventilation at various rates and positions. A particular study has been carried out where the forced air supply rate has been increased simulating an emergency situation. The air pressure in the fire room is then reduced and thereby the smoke flow to adjacent rooms and corridors. © 1990.