London
Car park ventilation system for Millbrook Park
Account manager - Ryan Marriott
System installed - Car park extraction system
Details - A groundbreaking two-phase car park extraction system underpinned by CFD modelling.
Introduction
Our work at Millbrook Park is a prime example of our forward-thinking approach to smarter smoke and ventilation systems. Tasked with the design and development of an advanced car park ventilation system, we implemented a groundbreaking two-phase extraction method underpinned by CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) modelling. Additionally, we provided adequate mechanical protection for a ground floor extended travel distance lobby - utilising new guidance from the SCA (Smoke Control Association) guide on this matter.
The Challenge
The challenges presented by the Millbrook Park project required us to devise and execute a highly specialised solution. The original extract system design was inefficient due to air short-circuiting. This necessitated a reimagining of the louvre and extract plenum arrangement to fit within the building's structural constraints while ensuring effective operation.
CFD modelling was employed to demonstrate that the initial phase of the car park extract system would suffice in the interim, with a built-in allowance for the second phase's seamless integration in the future.
The modelling also had to confirm that smoke would be effectively kept clear from both the staircore and the newly designed "extended staircore" corridor, maintaining a smoke-free escape path in the event of an apartment fire.
What we delivered
We delivered a suite of sophisticated solutions that not only met the project requirements but also advanced the industry standard:
- The lobby's ventilation capacity was dramatically increased, achieving a remarkable 35-40 Air Changes per Hour (ACH), ensuring the stair corridor remained free of smoke intrusion.
- The car park system was expertly executed in two phases, incorporating a novel car park extract arrangement that has since set a new precedent in the industry, ready for replication by NSP technical teams and beyond.
- This phasing approach to car park systems has proven so effective that it has become a validated model for subsequent projects.
The Millbrook Park project is the perfect demonstration of our capabilities when navigating complex challenges with innovative solutions that ensure safety and efficiency. Our approach highlights our commitment to not just compliance, but to leading the charge in creating resilient, sustainable, and safe building environments.
