Performance Design of a Smoke Control System for the Bridge Pavilion

The Bridge Pavilion designed by Zaha Hadid for the International Exposition of Zaragoza in 2008, is a singular construction declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) by the Government of Aragon. It is a 280-metre-long building overlooking the Ebro River. Initially, the central nucleus was an exterior space with no fire load, whose lateral envelopes were open and perforated. The change of activity to be developed, as an exhibition and museum area with vehicles, required the enclosure of this volume. The uniqueness of the building makes it impossible to comply with the fire safety requirements (CTE DB SI), therefore, alternative solutions were used for the design of the new smoke control system for the enclosed volume for the new activity. The system selected includes an airlock-extract combination that improves the conditions of evacuation without affecting the aesthetics of the Pavilion's envelope. SODECA fume extractor model THT-56-4T-1-F400 with a theoretical flow rate of 12,349 m³/h, connected to COLT KAMALEON airlock 1500x1000 mm, with an opening degree of 45º, aerodynamic surface area 0.519 m²/m².. The new measures were implemented in the building with the approval of the competent authority for Civil Protection, Cultural Heritage and a favorable final report from an Administration Control Entity. Keywords: Building Evacuation, Fire Safety Engineering, Alternative Solutions. Performance Based Design, Smoke Control