Effect of the height of the smoke barrier wall in the storage area of metro vehicle depot on the smoke exhaust efficiency: a numerical simulation study

This study investigates the influence of smoke barrier height on the performance of sidewall-mounted exhaust fans in an upper-covered metro depot using Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). Numerical simulations were conducted to analyze smoke dispersion patterns and exhaust outlet CO2 concentrations across six barrier height configurations: 0.5 m, 1.0 m, 1.5 m, 2.0 m, 2.5 m, and 3.0 m. Results show that increasing the height of ceiling-installed smoke barriers significantly enhances the smoke extraction efficiency of sidewall exhaust systems. For optimal performance, it is recommended that the smoke barrier height exceed the vertical clearance between the lower edge of the sidewall vent and the ceiling. These findings offer practical guidance for fire smoke management in metro depots with overhead structures and other similar large-space environments.