News, Resources & Media

CFD Modelling for Car Park Ventilation to Improve Buildings and Reduce Costs

CFD Modelling for Car Park Ventilation to Improve Buildings and Reduce Costs

erbas™ SUSTAIN can provide complex computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modelling approaches to provide performance solutions for buildings whilst also reducing ventilation costs in Class 2 to 9 building car parks.

Challenge: Conservative prescriptive provisions outlined in the NCC for Class 2 to 9 buildings  car park ventilation requirements. 

Solution: Performance based CFD simulation as a performance solution.

Benefits:

  • Reduced ventilation system size
  • Reduced system capital cost
  • Visualised carbon monoxide (CO) concentration levels

Background:  The National Construction Code (NCC) is a performance-based code that sets the minimum required level for the safety, health, amenity, accessibility, and sustainability of certain buildings. NCC Volume One covers the design and construction of multi-residential, commercial, industrial, and public assembly buildings and some other associated structures (i.e., all Class 2 to 9 buildings). Performance Requirements of the NCC are satisfied by a Performance Solution, a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution, or a combination of both.

For car park ventilation systems, the prescriptive provisions outlined in the NCC are conservative, with ventilation systems rarely running at 100% of capacity. This usually results in more onerous ventilation requirements. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation is a suitable alternative to undertake a performance-based assessment as a Performance Solution, compliant with the NCC. CFD is the analysis of fluid flows using numerical solution methods. This performance-based solution method has a wide range of benefits including reduced ventilation system size, reduced system capital cost and visualised carbon monoxide (CO) concentration levels, to name a few.

The National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) has set an 8-hour time-weighted average exposure limit of 30 parts per million (ppm) for carbon monoxide. This ambient CO level over eight hours is equivalent to a carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) level of 5%. This COHb level is considered the current acceptable risk that workers may be exposed to over a working lifetime of exposure. Using CFD simulation, CO concentration will be modelled at different sampling heights Above Finished Floor Level (AFFL). Results from the CFD simulation are then post processed to calculate the average CO concentration value. These values are compared against a set of certain CO concentration thresholds for compliance. Results can also be visualised to show CO concentration levels in different areas of carparks. Air flow velocity and CO concentration contours are shown in the figures below.

Check out the most recent project where we have used this approach: The Waterfront Hotel at Shell Cove NSW

 

 


Previous Article Next Article

CFD Modelling for Car Park Ventilation to Improve Buildings and Reduce Costs - erbas

Latest News, Resources & Media

Meet Bruce Skipp - erbas

Meet Bruce Skipp

Meet Bruce Skipp, our new Queensland Director and watch his interview with our Executive Director, Lincoln Merlo.
Read more
Building a Better Proposal: What Sets Winning Bids Apart - erbas

Building a Better Proposal: What Sets Winning Bids Apart

The latest article from Total Synergy, featuring our Executive Director Lincoln Merlo, underscores the importance of personalisation, clarity and client-focused language in proposal development.
Read more
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics - erbas

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics

We welcomed Professor Rebecca Yang from the University of Melbourne, one of the leading researchers in BIPV, to the erbas™ office.
Read more
2025 Biophilic Design Awards - erbas

2025 Biophilic Design Awards

Representing erbas™ SUSTAIN were our Senior Sustainability Consultant, Aditi Abnave, and Decarbonisation Lead, Dr Tony Lam.
Read more
Circular Transition Indicators for the Built Environment - erbas

Circular Transition Indicators for the Built Environment

Kretheka Natarajan Rajeswari contributed to WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development's Circular Transition Indicators (CTI) for the Built Environment framework.
Read more
ClarkeHopkinsClarke’s Sustainability Series - erbas

ClarkeHopkinsClarke’s Sustainability Series

Dr Jane Lai and Aditi Abnave had the pleasure of kicking off ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects’ sustainability series with a session on certification tools.
Read more
Expo 2025 Osaka - erbas

Expo 2025 Osaka

Lincoln Merlo's first hand experience of the Expo.
Read more
RMIT Guest Lecture - erbas

RMIT Guest Lecture

Dr Tony Lam shared insights with the next generation of built environment professionals.
Read more