Indoor climate & air quality
Parking spaces
Risk assessment of pollutant dispersion and heat & smoke removal
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, and garages with complex geometries or obstructions often require a more detailed analysis to demonstrate regulatory compliance.
Three-dimensional CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis enables a detailed assessment of critical physical phenomena in parking spaces, like pollutant dispersion from vehicle exhausts, or heat & smoke removal in the event of a fire. Using these simulations, the performance of ventilation concepts, jet fans or fire safety measures can be assessed to ensure good air quality and fire safety.
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 simulations. 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 and mitigation measures to ensure compliance with building codes and safety standards.
Our Services
We offer three-dimensional CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) studies enabling a detailed assessment of critical physical phenomena in parking garages. One key aspect is pollutant distribution, such as emissions from vehicle exhausts, 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 accurately simulated.
In addition, CFD analysis is essential for evaluating heat and smoke removal in the event of a fire. Effective smoke control is critical for safe evacuation, occupant visibility, and firefighting operations. The performance of smoke exhaust systems, jet fans, and other fire safety measures can be assessed to verify that safe conditions are achieved.
Our CFD analyses are 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 deliverable consists of a comprehensive technical report that clearly describes:
-
- 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 methodology and, if necessary, provide input or define key variables. Early engagement ensures that the final results fully meet regulatory expectations.
How we work
Our CFD analysis process for parking garages typically consists of the following steps:
-
- Define the problem, usually based on a building design that does not easily comply with a specific building code;
- Define the intent and performance objectives of the applicable building code;
- Identify the variables that influence the outcome of the analysis;
- Prepare a pre-test or methodology report for approval by the authorities or the client;
- Build the CFD model and perform simulations:
- Run initial simulations;
- Analyze results;
- Define mitigation measures in close collaboration with the client and involved engineers, if required;
- Perform additional simulations as needed;
- Analyze the updated results;
- Document the complete process and results in a final technical report;
- If desired, present the results to the client and/or authorities in a meeting.
Used tools:
Relevant Projects
Hospital AZ Zeno
Hospital AZ Zeno
Knokke-Heist, Belgium
Read More
Gare Maritime
Gare Maritime
Brussels, Belgium
Read More