HIGH RISE STAIRWELL TESTS with LEADER EASY POW’AIR TECHNOLOGY

“Straight Stream” Air Flow Pressure

INFORMATION ON STAIRWELL PRESSURIZATION TESTS BY PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS FOR MAJOR US FIRE DEPARTMENT

http://firechief.com/suppression/tactics/firefighting_nist_tests_ppv/
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/techbeat/tb2007_0621.htm#fans
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/nyregion/25fan.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/techbeat/tb2006_1122.htm#firetest
http://www.fire.gov/newsletter/PDF/firegovaugust2009.pdf

The web site links listed here refer to scientific testing done in recent years to determine the effects, among other tactics, of Positive Pressure Ventilation fans in the control of smoke and heat and even fire in high rise fires and in particular wind driven fires in larger structures. These reports and articles, hereafter referred to as “reports”, point out that using PPV fans to pressurize stairwells is a critical element in these scenarios.

No side by side fan comparisons were done in any of the reported tests even though fans from several manufactures appear to have been used in different tests. Therefore no determination was made from these tests as to the “best PPV fan to use” in high rise stairwell pressurization. However, a 27” fan with a 9 hp motor was depicted in test photos and videos and was also referenced in several television newscasts aired in the New York City area.

Recently Leader North America, Inc. a division of a European company, Groupe Leader, introduced a new ventilator to the US and Canadian markets using an air movement Technology referred to as the “Easy Pow’Air Technology”. The Model MT-236-H ventilator made by Leader, while new to the North American markets, has been in existence in Europe for several years.

The MT-236-H uses a 16” impeller and a 5.5 to 6.0 horsepower Honda-GX engine in specification comparison to the 27”, 9hp fan mentioned in the above reports The overall package size of the MT-236 is smaller with less weight and bulk than the 27” fan.

The question: “Could the new Easy Pow’Air Technology, 16” impeller fan that fits in most apparatus compartments perform as well as a 27” fan?” Leader NA set out to determine the answer to these questions by comparing the two different fans in an un-biased, third party test comparable to the tests referenced in the reports.

Admittedly much more testing must be done to completely understand the application of the new Easy Pow”Air Technology and its effectiveness under diverse situations and conditions, however the results in the comparative test results as reported in this article are convincing and intriguing!

A major “unbiased” engineering group was asked to conduct side-by-side testing of the MT-236 against the 27” fan and obtain “third party” results. These engineers, familiar with the tests referenced in the reports above, set up calibrated test instrumentation in two separate stairwells in a test high rise building five stories high. An attempt was made to make each test as “scientific” as possible. Outside observers also witnessed the tests to validate their neutrality.

The chart at the end of this article shows the results of those tests. Of particular interest is the “Set Back” of the fans in relationship to the “Pascal’s” of pressure they produced. (Pascal is the measurement of pressure used in the reports and therefore the chosen method of comparison of the two fan technologies.) Note that the Easy Pow’Air Technology MT-236-H ventilator built more pressure in the stairwell at 10 feet back from the entry door than the larger fan did at 5 feet away. Note also that when the larger fan was tested at 10 feet away it began to loose pressure.

The advantages of the new Easy Pow’Air Technology appear to be evident:

• MT-236 will work almost as well as the 27” fan at five feet back from entry if a further set back is not possible
• MT-236 works better further away from the entry point
• Further set back distance means more room for Fire Fighters to maneuver
• Further set back means less inherent noise of the fan inside the structure
• The smaller, lighter weight MT-236 will fit in fire apparatus compartment and is easier for one fire fighter to deploy and set up than the 27” fan.
• Arguably the MT-236 is built more structurally sound than the 27” fan

In conclusion, fire departments who have tried to get more PPV performance on their apparatus but faced storage issues, should evaluate the Leader MT-236 Easy Pow’Air Technology ventilator against all other fans.

For more information about this article and its content you may contact Leader by phone or email at: Phone: 800-358-6414 or
Email us.

Leader North America Comparitive Tests Results

March 12, 2010