Impulse Ventilation For Car Parks |
The Cold Link - May / June 2007 |
Multistorey above and below ground car parks are becoming more common due to increased public reliance on cars as well as the congestion in towns and cities resulting from higher population densities. Motor vehicle engines running within an enclosed space will result in poor air quality and the confinement also increases the potential treat of smake inhalation in the event of a fire.
|
It is essential to ventilate covered car parks in order to limit users to the harmful effects of exposure in carbon monoxide (CO) and other toxic vehicle emissions. Another important consideration when designing ventilation systems is smoke extraction. The major cause of death in the vent of a fire is due to smoke inhalation. A smoke extract system is essential to enable occupants to excape before being overcome by smoke and to facilitate access for fire fighters in order to extinguish the fire. |
![]() |
Plan view of a tracitional ducted system versus an impulse sytem |
The most significant development to the car park industry in recent years has been the introduction of proven tunnel ventilation fan principles in the form of impulse fans. This innovative approach provides major benefits in terms of smoke control as well as reduced capital an installation costs. Impulse fans eliminate the need for distribution ductwork with resultant lower extract system resistance, reduced power consumption by the fan/s and resultant savings in terms of system running costs. Smoke extract requirements and regulations are on the increase in Sout Africa. AMS have responded to the requirement for ventilation and smoke extraction in car parks with the launch of their local centrifugla impulse fan unit. |
![]() |
3 units with a thrust of 150 Newtons, were recently supplied by AMS for installation in an enclosed car park in Cape Town's V & A Waterfront. |