Impulse Ventilation ~ An Introduction

Impulse Ventilation and the Options Available It is some five years since the introduction of Impulse Ventilation was launched into the UK. From that initial launch of the system it has become the norm for the ventilation of enclosed and underground car parks. The success of the impulse system, however, has inevitably attracted the attention of a number of companies which have seen the opportunity to capitalise on the opportunity to sell a high volume of products for an application about which they have little understanding. Like many aspects of our industry, a little knowledge can be very dangerous. This article sets out to highlight the options that are available to the engineer and the dangers that await the unwary. Natural Ventilation Natural ventilation is the obvious choice to any architect or design engineer when first considering the ventilation of a car park. This can be achieved by providing 5% of the net floor area in natural openings, 50% of which must be split between opposing walls. (see figure 1) Assisted Natural Ventilation If it is not possible to achieve 5% of the net floor area in openings but 2.5% is available, then a reduced rate of ventilation is possible for daily ventilation at 3 air changes per hour. The car park can then be naturally ventilated in a fire condition, relying on the natural buoyancy of the hot gases from the fire to assist the available natural ventilation in venting the smoke. (See figure 2) Mechanical Ventilation

If it is not possible to provide sufficient natural ventilation to meet either of the above natural ventilation criteria, the only option is to provide a mechanical means of ventilating the car park. This can be achieved using either a traditional ducted system or the more flexible impulse system. What is Impulse Ventilation? An impulse ventilation is a system intended for the ventilation of enclosed and basement car parks without the use of ducting within the body of the car park. It may also be used in loading bays, service roads and coach parks, although these are likely to be designed against slightly different criteria. Impulse ventilation differs from the conventional ducted ventilation system in three principle ways: 1. Ducting is not used. Impulse fans take the place of ducting in providing control of the airflow within the car park 2. Smoke management and control, which is not usually possible with a ducted system, is a key feature of the Impulse system 3. In larger car parks the system is designed for smoke control with the airflow based on a design fire size rather than simply using the air change rates which are referred to in the current Building Regulations

The system is developed from tunnel ventilation techniques and, therefore, is based on sound ventilation principles.

The Impulse Ventilation System Design

The design of an Impulse ventilation System is based on the same standards as a ducted system. These are from the current Building Regulations Approved Documents F (for daily ventilation) and B (for fire). A new British Standard covering all options of car park ventilation systems is currently in the process of being drafted, although it may be some time before it is available as a standard. The new BS will provide a more practical in depth guide to system design than the current Building Regulations. The actual design of the ventilation system will usually be undertaken by the manufacturers of the impulse system, who may also offer the option of electrical and mechanical installation. They will also include the commissioning of the system as most Building Control authorities now insist on witnessing a cold smoke demonstration of airflow within the car park under simulated fire conditions.

The Components of the System Like a ducted system, main extract fans are still required to provide the necessary airflow rate, and each of the main extract fans must be capable of handling 50% of the maximum airflow rate. Unlike smoke control systems used above ground, a 100% standby facility for the main extract fans is not required. The main extarct fans provide the air change rate for the car park and are fire rated to ensure reliability during a fire. (see figure 3) The impulse fans control air direction, and make sure that all parts of the car park are ventilated and that there are no stagnant areas. Unlike the main extract fans, the impulse fans are not designed to handle high volumes, they are designed for thrust. The thrust capability of the impulse fans will influence the quantity of air that the impulse fan is capable of inducing and controlling. Similar to the main extract fans, the impulse fans are also fire rated, but for two hours as opposed to one hour as, being located within the main body of the car park, they are more likely to suffer high temperatures than the main extract fans. CO and fire detection systems form part of the overall system control of airflow and is described in more detail below.

The CO monitoring system will enable the ventilation rate to vary according to the amount of traffic movement and, hence, the level of exhaust pollution. This inevitably results in a substantial saving in energy costs. An addressable fire detection system will enable the position of a fire to be accurately located and the system can respond more appropriately. The control panel contains a computer which is programmed to reflect the cause and effect programme for the system. As well as the starters, overloads and switches necessary to operate the various system components, all the contacts for interfaces to remote monitoring and displays are also built into the control cabinet.

Impulse Ventilation for Environmental Control Traditionally, car park ventilation has been based on a simple air change rate providing 6 air changes per hour for daily ventilation and 10 air changes per hour for fire. This has resulted in a considerable waste of energy and a waste of money in paying for that energy. The impulse ventilation system can easily be linked to CO monitoring, which enables the system to react to the level of pollution within the car park. According to the pollution level either more impulse fans are activated to increase air mixing and thereby reduce the concentration of the CO gases, or the airflow rate is increased to extract the polluted air more quickly. The result of using CO monitoring is a considerable reduction in energy, potentially in the order of 60%. Lower airflow rates can also reduce the amount of attenuation necessary, since the rate of extract overnight can be reduced whilst there is very little, if any, traffic movement.

Impulse Ventilation for Smoke Control Probably one of the most important benefits of the impulse ventilation system is its ability to control smoke in the event of fire. The Traditional System The traditional way of ventilating a car park is to simply fix the air change rate as required under the current Building Regulations mentioned above. Such practice is normally associated with a smoke dispersal system in which the density of the smoke is diluted, but it dispersed throughout the car park, contaminating all areas causing restricted visibility throughout. (See figure 4) The Smoke Control System Impulse ventilation incorporates a fully addressable fire detection system. This includes multi-criteria detector heads which detect smoke as well as heat. This provides early detection of a fire and accurate location. The accurate location of the fire enables the ventilation system to respond appropriately and also it is able to provide a signal to a remote indication to display the fire location enabling the fire service to determine the most suitable route for approach to the fire. Once a fire is detected and its location established, the impulse ventilation system will switch to smoke extract mode, increasing the rate of ventilation through the main extract fans and activating only the impulse fans necessary to control the flow of smoke. A correctly designed system will be able to control the flow of smoke within a 20m wide corridor, controlling the direction of smoke flow to avoid means of escape and fire fighting access as much as possible. (see figure 5)

Some of the Pitfalls

A number of variations on the theme of impulse ventilation have been marketed in recent months, some of which offer a practical and valid solution, others however offer, at best, questionable solutions to the ventilation problem and others appear downright dangerous. Installations programmed to switch off the impulse fans during a fire have been installed at one or two sites, leaving a fire potentially unventilated. An unventilated fire will create vast quantities of smoke and extremely high temperatures. To realise the folly of this, one only needs to ask if I need impulse fans to ensure adequate ventilation under daily ventilation, why do I not need a similar activation of the fans in a fire situation? None fire rated impulse fans have also been installed at some sites. If those fans were to be activated in a fire, or even after a fire in a smoke clearance procedure, after they have been subjected to potentially high temperatures, one dreads to think what the consequences might be. A further common mistake is to activate too many impulse fans, which can cause air movement greater than that which the main extract fans are capable of handling. This will result in a backflow of smoke and possible smoke logging of the car park. It is, therefore, extremely important that, when considering such an application, only companies that carry appropriate qualifications in experience and application knowledge, and carry an appropriate level of Professional Indemnity cover, should be considered.

About the author Richard Brooks is Sales Director of PSB UK Limited and has over 30 years experience in the air movement industry, many of these working in the field of smoke control. He is a past chairman of the Smoke Control Association and is currently a co opted member of the British Standards committee responsible for drafting the new British Standard for car park ventilation.

Figures

5% of net floor area 50% of which is split Between two opposing walls

Parking Ventilation S ystems

Figure 1 : Criteria for Natural Ventilation

2.5% of net floor area 50% of which is split Between two opposing walls + 3 Air Changes per Hour

Park ing Ventilation Syste m s

Figure 2:

Assisted Natural Ventilation

Smoke / temperature detectors Control

System

Pollution

monitors

Impulse

fans

Exhaust / supply fans

Parking Ventilation Systems

Figure 3:

Components of the Impulse Ventilation System

Figure 4: Traditional Ducted System

Case Study:Museumplein car park fire.

The IVS allowed the fire in Museumsplein to be fought y . effectivel

Smoke flow

Burning

car

Exhaust

Fans

Impulse

Fans

Figure 5:

An Example of Smoke Control in Practice A car fire in a basement car park in Amsterdam Where the PSB Impulse System controlled the smoke flow aiding escape of building occupants and the work of the fire fighters

An Impulse Fan