Notes that staircase pressurisation systems are now specified to be installed in many types of buildings in Hong Kong. Describes a series of field tests performed to investigate the operating performance of such a system. Reports the results of an evaluation of the performance of a staircase pressurisation system installed in a commercial building. The measured quantities included the differential pressure levels across the doors to the staircase, airflow rate, air temperature and fan characteristics. The airflow network program ASCOS was used to justify the results. States the system was found to be not working effectively. Makes recommendations for improving the design.

KEYWORDS: Fire protection, China, pressurised stairs, escape routes, fans, testing, site testing, performance, operations, buildings, commercial, measuring, pressure difference, doors, air flow rate, air temperature, computer programs, designing.