Extraction & Venting
Over Pressure Venting & Post Fire Extraction
Over Pressure Venting
Ventilation allows for pressure relief within a room during a discharge.
It is important that correctly designed, and engineered, Over Pressure Vents (OPV) are fitted within enclosures protected by a gaseous suppression system. This is to prevent the possibility of the structural integrity of the area failing.
This is particularly important in areas that have boundaries constructed in anything else other than blockwork, although these too can be affected by structural stress derived from high pressure-induced forces produced within an area during a discharge.
Different types of Venting
1. Gravity vents:
The blades within these vents are generally hinged on the top edge. They have no electric or pneumatic actuation but rely totally on the room pressure change to move the vent blades. This type of vent may provide a free vent area (the effective area provided by the vent when subjected to the required pressure at the peak flow rate) that is significantly less than the gross vent area (the overall area of the vent). Vents, if not fitted with a stop, could relieve pressures in both directions. However, these are not recommended unless they are able to avoid compromising the enclosure’s fire rating.
2. Counter weighted vent:
This type of vent is configured with the hinge located just off the centre of gravity, so that when positive pressure is exerted on the upstream side of the vent, it allows the vent blades to pivot to their fully open positions. The vent can be designed in such a way that there is a minimum operational release pressure, which will ensure that nuisance movement is avoided. Typically, these vents are more efficient than gravity flap vents.
3. Electrically operated vents:
This type of vent consists of
4. Pneumatically operated vents:
Pneumatically operated vents are actuated by air pressure. These are normally connected, via tubing, to the main system’s pipework which in turn, feeds pressurised ‘air’ to the vent when the system activates. Alternatively, vents can be activated by pilot cylinders connected as part of the main system or a controlled compressed air-line. These vents are very efficient, as they are controlled by the system’s pressure itself during discharge and have no nuisance movement. This makes them ideal for offshore installations, or other areas with adverse weather conditions
How OPV relates to Inert or Synthetic Gas
Inert gaseous agents can produce very high positive peak pressures (the maximum specified differential pressure in the enclosure used for
Synthetic agents
As a guideline only and based on our understanding of building strength standards within the UK, a normal (blockwork) wall can withstand a pressure of up to 500 pascals. A lightweight wall, such as a studded wall, can withstand a pressure of up to 250 pascals. Inert gaseous agents, upon deployment, can generate positive peak pressures in excess of 1500 pascals, and synthetic gaseous agents can produce negative peak pressures in excess of 400 pascals, so it is clear that pressure venting is an important consideration during the system design phase.
Despite many beliefs on negative pressure venting for synthetic gaseous agents not being required, BS EN 15004-1:2008, Section 7.4, clearly states that “Venting shall be provided to prevent excessive over or under-pressurization of the enclosure”. Cannon Fire will always advise the fitting of negative pressure venting on synthetic agent systems based upon calculations which take into consideration the room strength of the protected area.
Industry Recognised Fire Protection
