CFD Case Studies
Victoria Drive residential building, London: ColtShaft Variable Smoke Ventilation System
The images show the rapid clearance of smoke during the means of escape phase of the simulation. The main purpose of the smoke ventilation scheme here is to protect the means of escape – the corridor and particularly the stairs.
Red areas show zero visibility, blue areas good visibility.
330 seconds after fire
The CFD model shows an apartment on fire at 330 seconds after the fire has broken out. There is a high concentration of smoke in the corridor. Extraction is through the ColtShaft smoke shaft in the middle.
360 seconds after fire
At 360 seconds, with the door to the apartments closed, the smoke starts to be cleared as the stair door opens and fresh air is drawn in from the stairs.
430 seconds after fire
At 430 seconds a large proportion of the corridor is clear. No smoke enters the stair, despite the stair door opening twice during this time frame.
Former Bournemouth Hotel: car park smoke clearance system
This is a medium sized single level basement car park. The images show the production, saturation and dispersal of tracer particles (representing carbon monoxide gas or cold smoke from a fire) from within the car park.
60 seconds after emissions start
This CFD model shows carbon monoxide gas or cold smoke starting to build at 60 seconds from when these emissions start. Air movement and mixing is created by Cyclone induction fans.
Ventilation system is switched on after 330 seconds
At 330 seconds the ventilation system is switched on. The particles are evenly mixed within the space, which is a good situation as it means there is a relatively low concentration of carbon monoxide gas or cold smoke in any one location.
900 seconds
At 900 seconds the car park is largely clear.