
Project:
Effects of wind on smoke ventilation from a large commercial carpark
Location
Ireland
Client
McAleer&McGarrity Ltd
Expertise
CFD
Keywords
smoke ventilation, car park fire safety, wind-driven smoke control
We evaluated how wind conditions interact with a car‑park smoke control strategy, using CFD to resolve buoyancy‑driven smoke movement, make‑up air supply and wind‑induced pressure fields across the openings and ductwork. Scenarios covered multiple wind directions and speeds, fan duty points and fire‑size assumptions that reflect realistic operational envelopes. The model mapped the balance between extraction, entrainment and recirculation to identify risks of smoke re‑entry or stratification loss, with attention to critical travel routes and refuge zones. We compared alternative louvre/orifice arrangements and control set‑points, including natural versus mechanical boosts at key portals. Mesh and solver choices balanced fidelity with turnaround; verification checks and targeted sensitivities supported robust option‑to‑option conclusions. Results were communicated via clear planmaps and section visualisations of velocity, temperature and smoke concentration, together with time histories at points of interest. Recommendations addressed opening configuration, fan logic and contingency actions that maintain tenability and visibility across a range of site winds, de‑risking design development and supporting discussions with stakeholders and regulators.


