Building HVAC and Control Systems Commissioning Experts
Is your building over one
year old?
If your building is equipped
with a Stairwell Pressurization system, will it work properly in the event of a
catastrophe?
When your fire alarm system
activates, can you be sure the smoke will be controlled and contained as
originally designed?
Smoke is the number one
killer in the event of a fire, not the fire itself.
Today’s buildings are
designed with equipment and controls that are intended to control, contain and
sometimes even evacuate the smoke.
A Stairwell Pressurization
system is supposed to prevent smoke from migrating into the stairwell from the
floor that has an alarm condition.
A specific requirement is
determined by each county and a thorough test is performed before any new
building can receive a Certificate of Occupancy.
The same test should be
performed every two years to assure your system works properly. Changes in
floor layouts affected by tenants moving in and out can affect the system performance.
Some brief requirements are
as follows:
v
The system fans
must activate when the alarm goes off.
v
No door in the
stairwell is allowed to exceed the maximum psi rating of pull required to open
that door in the event of an alarm.
v
There is a minimum
flow requirement for each door in terms of face velocity in feet per minute.
v
In order to
establish air flows between stairwell and tenant spaces, there are a specific
number of doors that must be simultaneously open.
v
The location of
these doors is also specific.
As you can see, it takes some
expertise to properly test and adjust stairwell pressurization systems.
If there was a catastrophe in
your building and injuries were involved due to smoke inhalation, an
investigation could reveal that the Stairwell Pressurization system was not
maintained properly. What would your liability be?
Sachs Consulting can evaluate
your system, calibrate and execute functional performance tests and provide you
with the necessary documentation to prove adequate operational status.
Call today and speak to a
representative to schedule your check up!
Sachs Consulting 608