Membrane structure parking shelters have become a mainstream architectural form for large spaces worldwide. However, as a new architectural style, there are many aspects of membrane structure parking shelters that do not comply with current fire safety regulations. The editor of Tian Shuo Membrane Structure introduces several effective fire prevention measures:

1. Special fire and smoke separation measures are implemented. Membrane structure parking sheds, unlike conventional buildings, have no structural columns or beams in the main large space, creating a continuous and intact space. Effective fire separation facilities must be set up between the membrane space and the connected areas to prevent the spread of fire to other spaces outside the membrane. It is challenging to achieve fire separation sections using conventional fire-resistant walls and curtains in buildings. We can adopt special measures, such as using the "fire barrier" method to divide fire separation sections. This involves designating a section within a building containing combustible materials, where all building components and finishes are made of non-combustible materials and effective smoke prevention measures are in place. This blocks the spread of fire and smoke from one side of the barrier to the other, creating an invisible fire separation area. For smoke separation sections, lightweight curtains made of fire-resistant fibers can be hung from the overhead structural system. These curtains are normally rolled up but automatically lowered upon fire alarm, suspended at a certain height to perform smoke separation. The divided area is approximately 1,000 square meters, replacing traditional smoke barriers with significant effectiveness.

2. Mechanical smoke and exhaust control systems. For enclosed membrane structure parking canopies, the installation of mechanical smoke and exhaust control systems is crucial. Smoke can often be more terrifying than fire. During a fire, smoke spreads, reducing visibility and delaying evacuation times; the presence of large amounts of high-temperature toxic gases can diminish and eventually eliminate the ability to escape; high-temperature smoke has the same destructive effect on building structures as fire. For membrane structure parking canopies, the area of fire compartments and evacuation distances have already exceeded standards, so effective smoke and exhaust control design for these large spaces is especially important. The key steps are smoke control, directing smoke to a fixed space with a certain amount of positive pressure airflow to prevent random dispersion; followed by smoke storage, utilizing the large space of the building to design "smoke storage chambers" to accumulate smoke, creating a smoke-free layer at a certain height above the ground; finally, smoke extraction. Domestic research institutions have proven through computer simulations: If a smoke control system is appropriately designed, it can prevent smoke from accumulating at a height of 3 to 4 meters from the ground within 30 to 45 minutes, which is very valuable for personnel evacuation and also creates favorable conditions for extinguishing the fire.

3. The adoption of a novel fire detection system. The membrane structure carport has a high ceiling, where smoke is continuously cooled and diluted as it rises. By the time it reaches the ceiling, its concentration and temperature are significantly reduced, rendering it insufficient to activate fire detectors. Moreover, due to the thermal wind pressure inside the membrane structure carport, a certain thickness of hot air layer often forms at the upper part of the large space, which is enough to prevent the smoke from rising to the ceiling and thus affecting the operation of the fire detectors. Consequently, conventional detectors are not suitable for membrane buildings. The use of advanced fire alarm technologies such as infrared light smoke detectors, air sampling, and linear differential temperature detectors in membrane structure carports has solved the early alarm challenge for these spaces.

4. Implement effective automatic fire extinguishing systems. Set up air-pressure-powered mobile fire hoses. The range can be determined by the degree of air pressure, ensuring the safety of the membrane space and its central areas.