Efficiency of Positive Pressure Ventilation Compared to Organized Natural Ventilation in Fire Scenarios of a Multi-Story Building

Abstract

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the dynamics of indoor environmental parameters under three simulated fire scenarios in a multi-story building, using the PyroSim platform (based on the Fire Dynamics Simulator—FDS). The study compares two smoke control strategies, organized natural ventilation (a passive system) and mechanical pressurization (an active system), evaluating their influence on temperature, differential pressure, air velocity, heat release rate (HRR), and toxic gas distribution. The simulations revealed that passive systems, relying on the stack effect and vertical natural ventilation, do not ensure the effective control of smoke infiltration into evacuation routes, allowing significant heat accumulation and reduced visibility. The results highlight the superior effectiveness of unidirectional mechanical pressurization in maintaining a stable flow regime, functional visibility, and a safe evacuation environment. A key finding is the transition from static pressure control to velocity-based flow control at the moment of door opening toward the fire source. The results confirm that a dynamically adapted application of mechanical pressurization—synchronized with the opening of access pathways—not only reinforces existing principles for protecting egress routes, but also provides a precise operational approach for optimizing emergency responses in high-rise buildings.