Sustainable residential towers with high-quality overpressure systems and parking garage ventilation

The design and realization of any project must also pay ample attention to user safety. This applies to industrial, commercial and public buildings, but also to residential projects, such as Grotius I and II next to Central Station in The Hague. For years, NOVENCO Building & Industry has specialized in life safety systems for tunnels, parking garages and high-rise projects, among others. The Bergschenhoek-based company is a certified smoke management company and was commissioned by the BESIX and J.P van Eesteren construction consortium to design, supply, install and commission the certified overpressure systems for both residential towers and the ventilation system for the parking garage.

"In the event of a fire in the residential towers, our Clear Choice positive pressure systems will ensure that stairwells remain free of smoke, allowing residents sufficient time to safely exit the residential tower. Designed using Revit 3D/BIM, these systems include 2 NovAxTM axial pressure relief ventilators and 4 ZerAx® certified axial RWA ventilators. To ensure functionality, pressure relief valves are installed in each of the 6 shafts. To control the systems, several control boxes combined with 70 Clear Choice Interface Boxes provide control and monitoring of the approximately 220 certified smoke dampers and approximately 210 pressure sensors. There are also 8 shut-off dampers with smoke detectors and intake grilles installed," Business Development Manager Jos Wissink explains the installation. "For healthy air in the underground parking garage, a ventilation system with 10 CGF 500 thrust fans was installed. Speed-controlled NovAX axial fans, in a shaft with large ventilation grilles, SCHAKO HKU louvre dampers, ventilation ducts and a roof hood guarantee an adequate supply of fresh air and extraction of contaminated air. All components are operated via a central control system with an integrated CO/LPG detection system."

All of NOVENCO's systems were developed to suit the project. In such high-rise projects, different weather conditions and temperatures between the ground and upper floors have to be taken into account. Furthermore, in the residential towers, the lower floors are already completely finished, while upstairs the structural work is still in progress. This must also be taken into account during the installation of the positive pressure system.