Cold Storage Smoke and Heat Venting

Alternative means of smoke removal from a cold storage warehouse

Challenge

This cold storage warehouse contained Class III commodities arranged in rack-storage. ESFR protection was not feasible so smoke and heat venting would be required per the IBC. Roof penetrations required for smoke vents decrease refrigeration efficiency and create maintenance issues, such as leaks.

Solution

We performed computational fire modeling and determined that automatic smoke and heat vents, if provided, would be unlikely to activate (open) due to the chilled environment. Our fire modeling approach helped us determine an alternative method of post fire smoke removal which did not require the use of invective smoke vents on the roof.

Bottom Line

• Eliminated 160 sqft of roof smoke venting 
• Provided an effective alternative solution for smoke venting