Smoke Exhaust Performance in Single-Loaded Corridor Apartments According to Louver Installation Conditions

This study analyzed the effects of louver installations on the corridor windows of single-loaded corridor apartments in terms of smoke exhaust performance and evacuation safety. Three apartment types (slabs, bent-shaped slabs, and towers) were investigated under three scenarios: no louver, louver installation, and additional louver installation. Simulation results showed that a simple louver installation increased flow resistance, leading to reduced safety performance characterized by a lower average smoke layer height and higher corridor temperatures. By contrast, when some of the corridor windows were converted into additional louvers to enlarge the effective opening area, the smoke layer stability improved and corridor temperatures decreased, demonstrating enhanced smoke exhaust performance. These findings indicate that when louvers are installed for architectural or safety reasons, a prior risk assessment is necessary. If performance degradation is observed, the partial conversion of corridor windows into louvers can expand the effective opening area, offset resistance effects, and improve overall smoke exhaust efficiency.