Parking spaces

CFD risk analysis of pollutant dispersion and heat and smoke removal in parking garages

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Safer parking facilities with proven air quality and smoke control

Parking spaces can be challenging to design when their layout is not fully addressed by standard building codes. Large enclosed parking garages, partially open structures, or garages with obstructions often require a more detailed analysis to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.

Three-dimensional CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis enables a detailed assessment of critical physical phenomena in parking garages. First, pollutant distribution—such as emissions from vehicle exhausts—can be evaluated to ensure acceptable air quality levels throughout the parking garage at all times. Both natural ventilation driven by wind and mechanical ventilation systems can be simulated.

Second, the effective removal of heat and smoke in the event of a fire is essential to ensure safe evacuation and efficient firefighting. The impact of smoke exhaust systems and jet fans can be assessed to determine whether safe conditions are achieved.

Our clients

(Enclosed) parking garages are found worldwide. Urban densification increasingly leads to large parking facilities concentrated in single buildings or located underground, making them enclosed by design. As urbanization increases, so does the need for detailed parking garage analysis.

We perform CFD studies for a wide range of clients. Many of our clients do not have the specialized expertise or computational resources required to conduct advanced CFD analyses. We therefore support engineering firms involved in building design, HVAC system design, and fire safety engineering.

Our services include identifying applicable regulations and guidelines, setting up validation scenarios, and performing CFD simulations. Where necessary, we propose design optimizations to ensure compliance with building codes and safety standards.

Our Services

CFD analysis for parking garages is often used as an alternative to prescriptive “rules of thumb” defined in building codes. Our analyses and reports provide robust technical justification for the approval of building designs, HVAC systems, and fire safety concepts by local authorities.

Our deliverables consist of comprehensive technical reports that clearly describe:

Applicable regulations and guidelines
Boundary conditions and modelling assumptions
Simulation setups and parameters
Results, supported by clear visualizations
Interpretations, conclusions, and compliance statements

Whenever possible, we involve local authorities—such as building control departments or the fire brigade— at an early stage of the process. This allows them to review and approve the modelling approach and, if necessary, provide input or define key variables. Early engagement ensures that the final results fully meet regulatory expectations.