Pressurisation systems protect escape stairs against the ingress of smoke by maintaining the pressure within the stairs higher than that in the adjacent spaces.
Pressurisation systems were designed and supplied by Colt for two of the Gunwharf Quays apartments, comprising:
Colt also provided automatic opening ventilators at each storey, and the complete scheme was controlled by a Colt OPV control system.
The car park is situated on two levels, ground level and basement. The client required a ventilation system to be designed and installed in line with the recommendations of Approved Documents B and F of the Building Regulations. The system needed to extract 6 ACH in day to day use, and 12 ACH in a fire situation to remove heat and smoke.
A total of 8 Cyclone induction fans and 3 Jetstream impulse fans move the air from the entrance ramp towards the extract system, which was also supplied by Colt. Such fans use tunnel ventilation technology to eliminate the need for costly and bulky ductwork. This may save car-parking spaces and make the car park a lighter, less cluttered environment.
The Colt extract system comprises attenuated high temperature axial fan units.
Colt also provided a complete controls package which included addressable carbon monoxide and heat detectors. For day to day operation the system monitors the carbon monoxide levels within the car park and reduces the extract rate when levels are low to conserve energy and reduce operating costs. Emergency control is fully automatic.
Colt provided CFD modelling of the complete system and a full technical report for local authority approval prior to installation.
