Air Movement and Fire Protection

A. Bhatia

Overview

The fire hazards associated with heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems are significant. Fire isn’t the only hazard – the smoke generated by the fire can be much more dangerous. Protection is needed from the spread of fire and smoke due both to fires starting inside an HVAC system and fires starting outside an HVAC system. 

Fire performance of materials for HVAC components is required, and fire dampers and smoke dampers are needed. To provide smoke protection, an HVAC system can be shut down or it can be put into special smoke control mode of operation. Smoke from building fires can be managed by the mechanisms of compartmentation, dilution, airflow, pressurization, and buoyancy. 

The purpose of this course is to provide some fundamental facts that will prove valuable in fire emergency.

This 2-hour course provides basic information on fire protection systems and discusses some typical preparations needed for designing smoke control systems. This course is based entirely on National Institute of Standards and Technology (NISTIR - 5227) report titled “Air Moving systems and Fire Protection”.

The reader must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of fifteen (15) questions at the end of this course to obtain PDH credits.

Specific Knowledge or Skill Attained

This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills: 

• The use of HVAC systems and dedicated fans for smoke control
• The function of dampers in control of fire and smoke
• The leakage classification of smoke dampers
• The use of compartmentation as a passive fire protection strategy 
• The use of dilution as an active fire protection strategy
• The use of pressurization as an active fire protection strategy for emergency exits and fire-fighters operations
• The use of airflow system as an active fire protection strategy for railroads and tunnels
• The use of buoyancy as a fire protection strategy of large ceiling spaces

Course

Click on the link below and review the document prior to taking a quiz for PDH credits.

Air Moving Systems and Fire Protection (1 MB)

To obtain PDH credits for this course, you will need to take a quiz for credit.  Click on the link below. 

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