Little information exists on the pressure drop characteristics of stairshafts in tall buildings. Full-scale tests were conducted, therefore, to develop data on the airflow resistance required for designing a smoke control system for stairshafts by the pressurization technique. Data were obtained for open and closed tread stairshafts, with and without people inside them. The study revealed that the flow resistance inside the stairshaft with people can be double that without people. Also, a simple physical model to simulate the effect of people on the flow resistance was developed. This paper describes the analytical model, the experimental study, and the data obtained on the airflow resistance for the various stair configurations.

Units: Dual