Stairwell pressurization is a critical part of fire safety design in high-rise buildings. It ensures smoke does not enter escape routes during a fire, allowing safe evacuation.

If you’re looking for a quick and accurate way to design a stairwell pressurization system, you can use our free Excel sheet below.

👉 Free Stairwell Pressurization Excel Sheet (Instant Download)

✔ Calculates airflow automatically
✔ Based on NBC & international guidelines
✔ Easy for engineers & site use

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🧠 WHAT IS STAIRWELL PRESSURIZATION?

Stairwell pressurization is a mechanical ventilation system that maintains positive pressure inside staircases to prevent smoke ingress.

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🔥 WHY IT IS REQUIRED

• Prevent smoke entry
• Maintain visibility
• Ensure safe evacuation
• Required for buildings above 15m

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📐 DESIGN PRINCIPLE

The system works by maintaining a pressure difference between:

• Staircase
• Adjacent areas

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🔢 BASIC FORMULA

$Q = A \times V$Q=A×V

Where:

• $Q$Q = Airflow (m³/s)
• $A$A = Leakage area (m²)
• $V$V = Air velocity (m/s)

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🧮 STEP-BY-STEP CALCULATION

1. Calculate Leakage Area

• Doors
• Gaps
• Shafts

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2. Select Velocity

Typical values:

• 0.75 – 2 m/s

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3. Calculate Airflow

👉 Use formula:

Flow = Area × Velocity

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4. Add Safety Factor

• Add 10–20% extra airflow

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5. Select Fan Capacity

Final airflow → fan selection

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📊 EXAMPLE CALCULATION

• Leakage area = 2 m²
• Velocity = 1 m/s

👉 Flow = 2 × 1 = 2 m³/s

👉 Add 20% = 2.4 m³/s

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📥 USE OUR EXCEL SHEET

Instead of manual calculation:

👉 Use our Excel tool to calculate instantly

👉 [Download Stairwell Pressurization Excel Sheet]

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🏗 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS (NBC)

• Minimum pressure: 50 Pa
• Door opening force < 100 N
• Continuous airflow

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⚙ COMPONENTS REQUIRED

• Supply fan
• Pressure sensor
• Duct system
• Control panel

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❌ COMMON MISTAKES

• Incorrect leakage estimation
• Oversized fans
• No pressure control
• Ignoring door force

🏭 BRANDS

• Greenheck
• Systemair
• Kruger
• FläktGroup

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❓ FAQ SECTION

What is stairwell pressurization?

It is a system that maintains positive pressure to prevent smoke entry.

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What pressure is required?

Typically 50 Pa as per standards.

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Why is it important?

It ensures safe evacuation during fire.

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What is airflow formula?

Airflow = Area × Velocity

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• Free DWG files
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• Designed for engineers
• Updated as per industry standards

 

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