This paper presents some of the wind tunnel pressure measurements made on a fivestorey model building (32 cells), with a vertical shaft and fixed leakage characteristics. Internal and external pressure measurements are presented for various wind angles and a simulated fire pressure in a room on floor 2 and floor 4. Comparison is made to assess the effect of fire on internal pressure distribution. Although the results are presented for all the wind angles investigated, a detailed discussion is confined only to a single wind angle. Implications of the combined effect of wind and fire on the shaft pressurization system design calculations must take these two factors into account.
In a fire situation it is possible that escapers may leave some of the shaft doors open or the fire room door may burn down. In such a case the pressurization system can become ineffective, causing escape routes to get smokelogged. The effect of a combination of fire door openings was also investigated. The results for the following door opening combinations are presented and discussed: (i) shaft door open alone; (ii) fire room door open alone; (iii) shaft and fire room doors open together.
It is shown quite clearly that these openings are significant for a range of wind angles.