Numerical simulation and analysis of natural smoke exhaust for straight corridor in a high-rise hotel

Abstract

The natural smoke exhaust is acknowledged as a common smoke control manner with simple form and does not require additional energy support either with the complex exhaust facilities. In this paper, the field model fire dynamic simulator (FDS) with a combination of zone model consolidate fire and smoke transport (CFAST) was used to simulate the natural smoke exhaust in a straight corridor of a high-rise hotel, for the purpose of evaluating fire safety of smoke exhaust. There were several factors under discussion, such as the outdoor wind direction, wind speed, seasons, length of corridor, and dimensions of windows. The height of smoke layer interface was used to evaluate the effect of smoke exhaust. The conclusions were obtained as follows. Natural smoke exhaust in winter affects better than summer. With the outdoor wind speed increasing, the windward windows have poor effects on natural smoke exhaust, but the leeward windows work better. Natural smoke exhaust would not ensure evacuation safety in high-rise buildings when the length exceeds 30 m. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014.