UNIVERSITI TENAGA NASIONAL

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

MPRB412 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 1

PROGRESS REPORT 1
SEMESTER 1, 2015/2016

PROJECT AREA: THERMAL SYSTEMS AND ENERGY

PROJECT TITLE: Design of Mechanical Ventilation and
Sprinkler System to a proposed underground closed basement
carpark under COE carpark area.

NAME: MUHAMMAD AFIQ BIN SALEHUDDIN

STUDENT ID: ME089469
SUPERVISOR: ASSOC. PROF. DR. AZREE IDRIS
DUE DATE: 10th JULY 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Overview...1
1.2Problem Statement ........................................................................................................ 2
1.3 Project Objectives.2
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW..3
2.1 Mechanical Ventilation by Ducted Extract Systems.3
2.2 Mechanical Ventilation by Impulse (Jet) Fans..4
2.3 Sprinkler Systems.5.
2.3.1 Dry pipe system.6
2.3.2 Deluge system...6
2.3.3 Preaction system.,......6
2.3.4 Wet pipe system6
3.0 DISCUSSION.7
3.1 Basement Design ......................................................................................................... 7
3.2 Impulse Ventilation Design...8
3.3 Automatic Sprinkler System Design (Wet Pipe).......10
3.4 Gantt Chart......11
3.0 CONCLUSION.....11
4.0 REFERENCES.....12

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Overview
Car parks basement are designed and built to fulfill the needs to keep vehicles due to limited
amount of land for open car park area. Having a basement saves the space and is provides a
sense of versatility parallel with the advanced technologies and development in engineering
fields. Throughout the years, mankind has come up with new inventions and solutions in
solving the weakness of the previous existing design.
In order for a basement car park to be operational, there are a lot of things that need to be
accounted for. According to Uniform building by Law in Malaysia, it is required to have six
air changes in 1 hour in order for the compound to be approved safe to be used. Air
regulation depends on the type of Mechanical Ventilation system installed for the basement.
The ventilation system must be effective in removing vehicle exhaust fumes containing
harmful pollutants. Some of these pollutants include Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrous Oxides
(NOX), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and heavy metal compounds. Besides that, a ventilations
system needs to have a good smoke control. Without proper ventilation, smoke layers can be
trapped in the basement, causing hazard to the occupants.
In a case of smoke and presence of fire in a basement, Sprinkler Systems need to play its role.
The design and orientation of the sprinkler heads are important in firefighting. There are also
many types of sprinkler systems that can be used, depending on the situation and
environment of the basement, which will be discussed in detail in the Literature Review
section.
These two systems are in need to complement each other. A ventilation system can only
regulate and control the smoke and pollutants inside the basement, but it cannot fight fire.
Meanwhile, it is the opposite with the Sprinkler system. In worst case scenario when a
burning occurred in a basement car park, the coordination of these two systems are important
because maintaining air quality while satisfying safety requirements is a key challenge for
designing car park Mechanical Service Systems.

1.2 Problem Statement

The current COE carpark was unable to cater with too many cars. In peak hours, some car
owners went to the extent of double parking, causing trouble and inconvenience to the other
drivers. By having an underground basement underneath the COE carpark, this might solve
the problem of not having enough parking spaces.
By focusing to the Mechanical Services for a carpark basement, a ventilation system is a must
for the compound to be operational and approved by the authorities. According to Uniform
Building by Law, it is required to have 6 air changes in 1 hour for a basement design. In
terms of fire protection for in case of fire in the basement, Sprinkler system needs to be
installed and be able to cover all parts of the basement.

1.3 Project Objectives

i.

To design the best result for a Mechanical Ventilation System by using Jet Fans and
Automatic Sprinkler System for a proposed underground closed basement carpark
under COE carpark area.

ii.

UNITEN strives to be a university of excellence; thus providing the best service to the
students is one of them. The COE carpark problem has been a problem to COE
students for the past 3 to 4 years. With the increasing number of students in the
upcoming intake, things might get worse in the future. By having a basement, the ease
to find a parking spot will be easier and traffic jam can be reduced.

iii.

If the UNITEN management ever wanted to make a basement in COE, they can use
this design. As a UNITEN student, I love my university, and it would be an honor to
make a small contribution in designing the Mechanical Ventilation System as well as
the Sprinkler System for a non-existent basement.

iv.

Hopefully, by having one Mechanical Ventilation system near to COE, lecturers can
bring students to the basement and study the technique and design for a Mechanical
Ventilation system.

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Mechanical Ventilation by Ducted Extract Systems
According to COLT INT. [1], where it is not possible to have natural ventilation, a situation
when a car park is in a fully enclosed or in an underground basement, a mechanical extract
system should be available. The rule is that the system should provide 6 air changes per hour
(ACH) for day-to-day ventilation. The system must also be capable of operating at
temperatures of up to 300C for 60 minutes, and ductwork and fixings should be made from
materials that have a melting point above 800C.
Ducted mechanical extract systems are permitted by regulations and law but are rarely used
nowadays. These systems are implemented only where the car park size and geometry allows
good distribution of air to be achieved without needing extensive ductwork. The main
problems in relation to ducted mechanical extract systems which usually cause problems for
the designers are:
i.

The ductwork moves underneath the ceiling, thus minimizing the restricted allowable
height available.

ii.

Downstand beams require the ducting to be set down below them, thus minimizing
the height even more.

iii.

Valuable floor spaces are taken for low level extract points and these often needing
protective barriers to surround them.

iv.

The ductwork gives the car park a cluttered look and can interfere with CCTV
coverage and lighting.

Figure 1 shows the typical ducted mechanical ventilation system. [1]

Figure 2 shows the ducting system used in most of the car parks in Malaysia. [1]

By contrast, impulse ventilation offers far more effective ventilation.

2.2 Mechanical Ventilation by Impulse (Jet) Fans

Impulse ventilation systems (IVS) are used to supply ventilation for enclosed car parks and to
regulate the smoke in the case of fire. Up to last decade, a ductwork system provides the
ventilation for underground car parks and was based on exhaust of the contaminated air and
the intake of fresh air or on natural ventilation systems. These systems were also practiced in
the case of fire to control the smoke. The performance of such ventilation systems has been
done by several studies (Chow, 1998; Noordijk and Lemaire, 2005; Zhang et al., 2007).
As mentioned by J. C. Viegas, recently a new solution has appeared, based on the use of jet
fans. Jet fans are able to produce the momentum necessary to drive smoke such as CO2 to
exhaust openings. Therefore, air inlets and exhaust openings may be far from pollution or fire
sources and may be concentrated at some points of the underground car park. [2]

Figure 3 shows the Impulse Jet Fans implemented at the basement of Hotel Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside. [3]

Some of the advantages of Jet Fans mentioned by FANTECH [4] are listed below:
i.

Removes the need of using ductwork for air distribution within the car park.

ii.

Fresh air supply and exhaust systems with less resistance (because there is no
ducting), therefore smaller fans were used subsequently lower power consumption.

iii.

Ventilation risers and plant rooms reduce in size and quantity, thus the car park
providing more additional car park spaces.

iv.

Typically brings gains in operating energy efficiency over and above the best ducted
car park ventilation systems.

v.

Has potential for reducing cost for excavation and construction.

vi.

System is small in vertical profile and the placement of fans can be very flexible
resulting in lower floor-to-ceiling heights.

Figure 4 shows the working mechanism of the impulse ventilation

2.3 Sprinkler Systems

Automatic sprinkler systems consist of a configuration of water piping to which are
connected to automatic sprinkler heads. These are devices allows discharge water in a
specified pattern and density over a specified area. Sprinkler systems minimize the wastage
of water by segregating it evenly and more effectively than manually. [5]
Automatic sprinkler systems are considered to be the best and economical way to use water
to suppress a fire. There are many types of systems such as dry, wet, deluge and preaction
piping system.

2.3.1 Dry pipe system

A dry pipe system is when water is held back from the piping network by a dry pipe valve.
The valve is kept closed by nitrogen pressure or air pressure maintained in the piping. The
operation of one or more sprinklers will allow the air pressure to escape, causing the dry
valve to operate, which then permits water to flow into the piping to fight the fire. Dry
systems are used where the water in the piping might be subjected to freezing (usually in cold
countries). [6]
2.3.2 Deluge system
A deluge system is one type of sprinkler that is not automatic, as it is an open sprinkler. A
special deluge valve keeps back the water from the piping, and is triggered by a separate fire
detection system. When activated, the deluge valve allows water to the piping network, and
water flows simultaneously from all of the open sprinklers. Deluge systems inclined to be use
for protection against high hazard fires which are rapidly spreading. [6]
2.3.3 Preaction System
A preaction system is quite the same to a deluge system except that automatic sprinklers are
used. Small air pressure is usually maintained in the piping network to ensure that the system
is air tight. With a deluge system, a separate detection system is used to activate a deluge
valve, allowing water to the pipe. However, because automatic sprinklers are used, the water
is halted from flowing unless heat from the fire has also activate one or more sprinklers.
Some special arrangements of preaction systems permit variations on detection system
interaction with sprinkler operation. Preaction systems are generally used where there is
special concern for accidental discharge of water. [6]
2.3.4 Wet Pipe System
A wet pipe system is by far the most common type of sprinkler system in Malaysia. It
consists of a network of piping containing water under pressure. Automatic sprinklers are
connected to the piping such that each sprinkler protects an assigned building area. The
application of heat to any sprinkler will cause that single sprinkler to operate, permitting
water to discharge over its area of protection. [6]

Figure 5 shows conventional the sprinkler arrangement in CFGS basement carpark. [7]

Concluding Remarks regarding Literature Review

According to COLT INT. while Mechanical Ventilation by Extracted Ducting System has
served good in basement ventilation in the past, it has its flaws in terms of its unaesthetic
design, air loss due to friction and tedious ducting design to suit the basement geographical
dimensions. Meanwhile, FANTECH which is another certified company in ventilation
designs positively promotes that Impulse Ventilation by using Jet Fans minimizes the
weakness of the previous system.
A. ur Rahman , M. T. Zahura, A. Rezwan has mentioned in their research paper that a good
sprinkler system minimize the wastage of water by segregating it evenly and more effectively
than manually. There were many types of system explained by RP Fleming, but the most
suitable system to be implemented in Malaysia is the Wet Pipe System since our country does
not have the problem with a freezing environment. The good thing about wet pipe system is
that the action of the system is fast since the pipe has already been loaded with water.
3.0 DISCUSSION
3.1 Basement Design
The medium that will be the host for these two systems is the proposed basement under the
COE carpark. Figure 3 below is the screenshot picture of the preliminary sketching of the
basement car park:

Figure 6 shows the proposed sketching of the underground basement.

Two ramps on both sides of the basement were added, to ease the flow of the vehicles
inside the basement. This also allows more natural and entrainment air to be used in
aiding the Impulse Ventilation. The arrows in the picture above indicate the direction of
the vehicles.

3.2 Impulse Ventilation Design

Mechanical Ventilation system using Impulse (Jet) Fans
For the Impulse Fans, I have gone to Pullman in Putrajaya to see its basement, since the
impulse ventilation system has been implemented there. We can see that from Figure 3, the
fans are placed at a certain distance from each other. Therefore, I have thought that, if I can
place my fans at the distance that is good enough for the air to be moved, and not creating a
stagnant point, therefore the design should work, allowing the air to flow from the entrance
area, right till the exhaust fan area. According to a FanTech website, [4] we would like the air
to move like this in a Linear Flow System by using the impulse fans:

Figure 7 shows the Linear Flow System [4]

Therefore by applying the same concept, I am proposing to place my impulse jet fans like
this:

Figure 8 shows the air movement from intake air entrance to exhaust air exit.

The black rectangle resembles the Impulse Jet Fans. I have placed the fans at the top of
the basement about 40m from each other, and the fans at the bottom of the basement at
50m from each other. Of course, depending on the distance, the further the distance, the
greater the fan opening thrust needed subsequently greater energy and the higher the cost.
Below is taken from Fan Tech, showing the Fan spacing and its coverage in Area:

Figure 9 above was taken from A Practical Guide for Selection & Application, FANTECH [4]

3.3 Automatic Sprinkler System Design (Wet Pipe)

For the sprinkler arrangements, below are the proposed piping pathways:

Figure 10 shows the piping indicated in the red line throughout the basement.

The one marked x is the sprinkler location. It is proposed to be located at the car parking
area, since fires in a carpark usually the causes is from the parked vehicle. It is better to avoid
the piping from being at the driveway, since the Impulse Jet Fans need to be operating
without any obstruction that can cause turbulence in the air.

An M&E room is provided, acting as the room to keep the tank and pump for the water to be
operated in the sprinkler. The location of the tank can be on the ground floor, and it is
proposed just beside the ramp on the right side of the basement (just in case for plan B).
These sprinklers will operate automatically, where the glass bulbs on the sprinkler head will
break when it is exposed to a certain temperature. The installation will be a wet pipe
installation where the pipework is filled with water and ready to be discharge when the bulb
breaks.

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3.4 Gantt Chart

Figure 11 below shows the schedule for my Final Year Project 1 for Semester 1 2015/2016:

GANTT CHART: FYP 1

Semester 1, 2015/2016
Weeks
Tasks/Work
W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6 W7 W8 W9 W10 W11 W12 W13 W14
Assigning to FYP Supervisor
/
Finalize FYP Project Title
/
Background/Case Study Research
/ / /
Design Methodology Research
/ /
Design Sketch Proposal
/
Progress Report 1 Submission
/
Design Sketch Recorrection
/ / /
Design Methodology Recorrection
/ /
Sketch Drawing to AUTOCAD/CREO
/
Progress Report 2 Submission
/
Finalization of System Design &Sketch
/
/
Finalization of Design Methodology
/
/
Initial Design on AUTOCAD/CREO
/
/
Oral Presentation
/
/
Final Report Submission
/
/
Figure 11 shows the schedule plan of the semester 1 for FYP1

4.0 CONCLUSION
In recent years, new ventilation systems have been used with combination of reporting and
electronic fire detection systems. These brand new technologies can supplement an automatic
sprinkler system well. However, they must not act as a replacement, as they singularly do not
present the secure protection of a water extinguishing system. Impulse ventilation systems
can become a good supplement to automatic sprinkler systems, however only when the
ventilation system is planned out and installed in a way such that it supports the functions of
a sprinkler system. [8] Therefore, it can be concluded that the two systems must complement
each other.
Of course, these designs are not finalize yet. The discussion section is just an initial and
rough idea on the design approach for both of the Impulse Ventilation and Automatic
Sprinkler System. More detailed improvements, and necessary calculations needs to be done
and proved. Once all the theory has been done black and white on paper, a simulation test
needs to be done in order to justify those assumptions.
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5.0 REFERENCES

[1] Colt ventilation systems for car parks, loading bays and service areas, 2014, COLT
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, New Lane, Havant, www.coltinfo.co.uk
[2] J. C. Viegas, 2010, The use of impulse ventilation for smoke control in underground car
parks Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, Volume 25, Issue 1, pp 4253,
Elsevier Ltd.

[3] Picture source taken from the basement of Hotel Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside.
[4] JETVENT Impulse Ventilation for Carparks ,2011, A Practical Guide for Selection &
Application, FANTECH, Second Edition, Revision One,

Accessed 26th June 2015,

www.fantech.com.au/images/Brochures/jvc.pdf
[5] A. ur Rahman , M. T. Zahura, A. Rezwan, 2014, Simplified Design and Fabrication of
Water Sprinkler System: A Survey Based Analysis, Procedia Engineering, Volume 90, pp
692697, Elsevier Ltd.
[6] RP Fleming, Automatic Sprinkler System Calculations, Section Four, Chapter 3,
University of Ljubljana, Accessed 5th July 2015, www.fa.uni-lj.si/filelib/1.../prevod_2.pd
[7] Picture source taken from the basement of College of Foundation and General Studies
(CFGS), UNITEN Putrajaya.
[8] Wolfgang K., 2009, Sprinkler protection for car parks, FeuerTRUTZ Magazin,
www.bvfa.de

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