Description

Escape route pressurisation systems aim to protect key areas of a building during a fire. These systems are sometimes included in building designs to help demonstrate compliance with fire safety regulations, but their effectiveness is not clear. Revising the standards and procedures for the design, installation, functioning, inspection and testing of these systems is highly recommended.

The intention of escape route pressurisation systems is to keep occupants safe while evacuating the building and/or improve conditions for fire and rescue operations. Common examples are stairwells or corridors.

Scope

In this research:

• The purpose of pressurisation systems
• Components of an escape route pressurisation system
• Implementation issues
• Compliance requirements in New Zealand
• Approach
  • Review of buildings with fire incidents
  • Visiting installed systems and interviews with professionals
• Conclusions