Reversible Longitudinal Smoke Extraction System in Enclosed Underground Parking Structure

Kong Kok Haw; Chong Wen Tong; Koh Voon Li

Authors

Kong Kok Haw Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya,Malaysia, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Chong Wen Tong Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Malaysia, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Koh Voon Li Leong Poon & Assoc(M) Sdn Bhd, A-3A-5, Block A Setiawalk, Persiaran Wawasan, Pusat Bandar Puchong, 47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia

Keywords:

Performance-based approach, fire safety engineering, reversible smoke management system, CFD simulation, underground parking structure

Abstract

City urbanization induces many mega mixed development projects. Expansion and utilization of the underground space is an alternative to overcome the cost of super-high-rise buildings. Storing and managing vehicles in underground space predispose these buildings to fire hazards. Some passive requirements stated in Uniform Building By-Law Malaysia 1984 are difficult to comply with. Limitations in allocating fan rooms and large duct work design are some of the major drawbacks in the design of a large enclosed underground parking structure. Because the reversible longitudinal smoke extraction systems are well applicable to trains and road tunnels, this paper investigated the performance of this smoke extraction system in a confinedlong and flat underground parking structure and enlarging the fire compartmentation by four times. In this reversible scheme, fan shafts installed at fire zones are operated as extraction shafts, whereas fan shafts positioned in adjacent areas are runningas make-up air. Results showed that the reversible longitudinal smoke extraction system is applicable to retain the smoke within the fire zone in the underground parking structure.