Active stairwell compensation systems and methods

An active stairwell compensation system for use with a stairwell, the active stairwell compensation system comprising:

• a fan;
• a plurality of sensors, at least one said sensor being located inside the stairwell for detecting at least one condition inside the stairwell, at least one said sensor being located outside the stairwell for detecting at least one condition outside the stairwell;
• first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth air injection points along the stairwell;
• first, second, and third air injection dampers, the first air injection damper being located between the first air injection point and the fan to regulate an amount of air from the fan that is allowed to exit through the first air injection point, the second air injection damper being located between the second air injection point and the fan to regulate an amount of air from the fan that is allowed to exit through the second air injection point, the third air injection damper being located between the third air injection point and the fan to regulate an amount of air from the fan that is allowed to exit through the third air injection point;
• and
• a controller in data communication with the fan, the plurality of sensors, the first air injection damper, the second air injection damper, and the third air injection damper;
• the controller having programming to utilize data from the plurality of sensors to adjust an amount of air provided by the fan and independently adjust the first, second, and third air injection dampers to maintain a desirable amount of air pressure at the first, second, and third air injection points;
• the desirable amount of air pressure being selected to prevent smoke from entering the stairwell while allowing stairwell doors to open for egress;
• wherein the fourth air injection point is between the first and second air injection points;
• wherein the fifth air injection point is between the second and third air injection points;
• wherein the first air injection damper is located between the fourth air injection point and the fan, such that the first air injection damper is positioned to regulate an amount of air from the fan that is allowed to exit through both the first and fourth air injection points;
• wherein the second air injection damper is located between the fifth air injection point and the fan, such that the second air injection damper is positioned to regulate an amount of air from the fan that is allowed to exit through both the second and fifth air injection points;
• and
• wherein the third air injection damper is located between the sixth air injection point and the fan, such that the third air injection damper is positioned to regulate an amount of air from the fan that is allowed to exit through both the third and sixth air injection points.