Pressure against smoke
Supply air must maintain the intended pressure relationship between the stair enclosure and adjacent fire zones under the approved design conditions.
Need stairwell pressurization? Start with the escape stair.
Stairwell pressurization uses controlled air pressure to limit smoke entering an escape stair during a fire. We assess the stair enclosure, adjacent spaces, doors, leakage, air-supply points, pressure relief, controls and power before defining the system scope.
- Stair pressure protectedAdjacent spaces and leakage reviewed
- Doors remain usablePressure and opening conditions checked
- Fire mode coordinatedFans, relief, controls and power tested
What must stairwell pressurization balance?
More pressure is not automatically better. The system must resist smoke movement while allowing people and responders to use the stair doors.
Doors, leakage and relief
Closed and selected open-door conditions, enclosure leakage, transfer paths and pressure relief must be considered to avoid under-pressurizing or over-pressurizing the stair.
Controls and dependable power
Detection inputs, fan starts, pressure control, relief devices, status monitoring, firefighter controls and normal or standby power must operate in the correct sequence.
From
assessment
to
handover.
Stairwell pressurization starts with the actual enclosure, doors and leakage paths. We establish the required operating conditions first, then coordinate the air supply, relief, controls, testing and records.
01
Site assessment
We review the stair enclosure, number and condition of doors, adjacent spaces, leakage paths, available plans and existing ventilation or controls.
02
Design & planning
We coordinate pressure criteria, air injection, leakage, relief, fan control, doors, detection inputs, monitoring and power conditions.
03
Review quotation
We discuss the proposed scope, inclusions, commercial terms and questions before approval.
04
Supply & installation
Fans, shafts or ducts, relief devices, controls, wiring and interfaces follow the agreed project scope.
05
Testing & commissioning
The installed system is tested and commissioned against the approved project scope and operating sequence.
06
Service + BFP follow-up
We remain available for maintenance, project records and BFP-related follow-up within our scope.
Stair pressurization installed?
Keep the escape route ready.
We inspect and test the fans, air paths, relief devices, doors, controls, power and system interfaces against the documented operating sequence and approved pressure criteria within our scope.
- 01
Inspect fans, drives, shafts or ducts, relief devices, pressure sensors, panels, wiring, status signals and visible system condition.
- 02
Run the agreed pressurization mode and confirm detection inputs, fan operation, control response, monitoring and power transfer where included.
- 03
Measure stair pressure under the documented door conditions and check that relevant doors remain operable.
- 04
Issue test records, identify deficiencies and coordinate corrective work or BFP-related follow-up within our scope.
FAQStair pressurization,
Stair pressurization,
made clear.
Straight answers about pressure, doors, leakage, relief, controls, testing, maintenance and project information.
It supplies controlled air to an enclosed exit stair so the stair remains at a higher pressure than adjacent spaces during the required fire mode, helping limit smoke movement into the escape route.
Excessive pressure can make doors difficult to open, while insufficient pressure may not resist smoke movement. The system must balance pressure, leakage, relief and the required open or closed-door conditions.
The stair height and volume, number and condition of doors, enclosure leakage, air-injection points, adjacent pressure zones, relief path and approved operating scenarios all affect the design.
Yes. We can review the installed fans, air paths, relief devices, sensors, controls, door conditions, power and available test records, then define testing, repair or improvement work within our scope.
Testing follows the approved design criteria and documented sequence. It can include fan and control operation, pressure measurements under specified door conditions, door operation, alarm or status signals and normal or standby power behavior.
Send the contact person, company, site location, number of floors, new or existing status, known stair or door concerns and any architectural, mechanical, electrical, FDAS, testing or BFP documents available.
Request a Site AssessmentTell us about your
Tell us about your
stairwell pressurization project.
Send the site location, whether the project is new or existing, and any plans or system details available. We’ll review the information and contact you about the next step.