Reports

Improvement of Positive Pressure Ventilation by optimizing stairwell door opening area

This technical note presents a strategy to increase the effectiveness of Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) tactics in firefighting. It is shown that deployment of a Door Open Area Reducer (DOAR) in an appropriate position, which increases the resistance to the air escaping the stairwell, can significantly improve effectiveness of PPV performance.

Positive Pressure Ventilation for fighting wind-driven high-rise fires: Simulation-based analysis and optimization

In high-rise buildings wind can greatly impact fires, creating extremely dangerous and life-threatening environments for both the firefighters and the building's occupants. Positive pressure ventilation (PPV) is found to be a successful tactic, not only to mitigate wind driven fires in high-rises, but also to significantly improve firefighters’ safety.

Wind, Fire, & High-Rises: Firefighters and Engineers conduct research to combat a lethal threat

In December 1998, three New York City firefighters were making their way along a corridor to reach a burning apartment on the top floor of a Brooklyn building. The occupant had fled and left the door open. The firemen were trying to reach the apartment to close the door.

Positive Pressurization and Ventilation for Fighting Fires in High-Rise Structures with Multiple Stairwells

This study addresses the selection of the pressurization stairwell and the ventilation stairwell for fighting fires in a high-rise structure with multiple stairwells. The specific case of three stairwells, where one is regular and the other are paired scissor stairwells, has been considered in this study and various scenarios have been analyzed.

Assessment of web-based interactive game system methodology for dissemination and diffusion to improve firefighter safety and wellness

This paper describes research to assess the efficacy of web-based interactive game-like training in comparison to traditional classroom training for improving firefighters' knowledge, to advance the dissemination, diffusion, implementation and adoption of new information stemming from research interventions in fire-service. A web-based, interactive multimedia training tool called ALIVE

Game Changer: ALIVE training tool helps bridge the gap between firefighting research & practice

NYU-Poly and NIST researchers, in collaboration with the FDNY, conducted a study of wind-driven fire dynamics in high-rise structures. The experiment yielded critical information concerning modern fire behavior and the efficacy of certain firefighting tactics. Recognizing the value of this new information, NYU-Poly, the FDNY and NIST sought to share the results of their research with the nationwide fire service audience, in a way that could address the needs of both career...

Fire Tests Analysis and Evaluation of Stair Pressurization and Exhaust in High-Rise Office Buildings, 1972

The test program was conducted in a 22- story office building at 30 Church Street in Manhattan and was carried out in three principal stages. In the first stage, the supply and exhaust blower units were installed, tested and calibrated, leakage rates within the test stair shaft were measured and the time for pressurization was noted. The effects of open doors (various numbers and locations) were also observed. In the second stage, pressurization conditions and...

Fire Fighting Tactics Under Wind Driven Conditions: Laboratory Experiments

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, with the support of the Fire Protection Research Foundation and the U.S. Fire Administration conducted eight fire experiments to examine the impact of wind on fire spread through a multiroom structure and examine the capabilities of wind-control devices (WCD) and externally applied water to mitigate the hazard...

Fire Fighting Tactics Under Wind Driven Fire Conditions: 7-Story Building Experiments

In February 2008, a series of 14 experiments were conducted in a 7-story building to evaluate the ability of positive pressure ventilation fans, wind control devices and external water application with floor below nozzles to mitigate the hazards of a wind driven fire in a structure. Each of the 14 experiments started with a fire in a furnished room...

Optimization of positive pressure ventiliation tactic for wind-driven high-rise fires

Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) is a firefighting tactic that can mitigate the spread of fire and the combustion products to improve the safety of firefighters and civilians in wind-driven high-rise fires. The performance of a PPV tactic in wind-driven high-rise fires depends on various parameters that include wind speed, control of stairwell doors, number of fans, fan positions and placements, fire location etc. This paper describes the influence of these parameters on the efficacy of PPV operation that was studied by simulating...

Technique to improve performance of positive pressure ventilation tactic in high-rise fires

Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) is a firefighting tactic that can assist firefighters in venting smoke and high temperature combustion products in a more efficient manner, and make the fire-rescue /suppression operation safer than it would be without PPV. The pressure created by PPV operation must be greater than that created by the spread of fire...