Print this page Air Moving Systems and Fire Protection
A. Bhatia, B.E.
Course Outline
The fire hazards associated with heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems are significant. Fire isn’t the only hazard – the smoke generated by the fire can be much more dangerous.
This 2-hour course provides basic information on fire protection systems and discusses some typical preparations needed for designing smoke control systems. This course is based entirely on National Institute of Standards and Technology (NISTIR - 5227) report titled “Air moving systems and Fire Protection”.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
At the conclusion of this course, the reader will:
- The use of HVAC systems and dedicated fans for smoke control;
- The function of dampers in control of fire and smoke;
- The leakage classification of smoke dampers;
- The use of compartmentation as a passive fire protection strategy;
- The use of dilution as an active fire protection strategy;
- The use of pressurization as an active fire protection strategy for emergency exits and fire-fighters operations;
- The use of airflow system as an active fire protection strategy for railroads and tunnels; and
- The use of buoyancy as a fire protection strategy of large ceiling spaces.
Intended Audience
This course is aimed at mechanical engineers, loss prevention engineers, HVAC engineers, H &S professionals, environmentalists, O & M personal, safety engineers, industrial hygienists, and facility engineers responsible for the upkeep of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
Benefit to Attendees
Attendee of this course will get the technical oversight of loss prevention in buildings and understand the relevance of designing air distribution systems vis-à-vis fire and smoke protection strategies.
Course Introduction
Protection is needed from the spread of fire and smoke due both to fires starting inside an HVAC system and fires starting outside an HVAC system. Fire performance of materials for HVAC components is required, and fire dampers and smoke dampers are needed.
The purpose of this course is to provide some fundamental facts that will prove valuable in fire emergency.
This course provides more detailed information on the active and passive fire protection strategies in relation to the air movement.
Course Content
This course is based entirely on National Institute of Standards and Technology (NISTIR - 5227) report titled “Air moving systems and Fire Protection”, which is is in the following PDF document:
Air Moving Systems and Fire Protection
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Course Summary
To provide smoke protection, an HVAC system can be shut down or it can be put into special smoke control mode of operation. Smoke from building fires can be managed by the mechanisms of compartmentation, dilution, airflow, pressurization, and buoyancy.
- Compartmentation involves use of barriers to create multiple zones.
- Dilution involves maintaining acceptable particulate concentration in a compartment subjected to smoke infiltration from adjacent spaces.
- Pressurization involves use of fans to maintain pressure differential between adjacent spaces.
- Buoyancy involves venting of large spaces.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
