Smoke Management Fundamentals

INTRODUCTION
This section describes objectives, design considerations, design principles, control
applications, and acceptance testing for smoke control systems. A smoke control system
modifies the movement of smoke in ways to provide safety for the occupants of a building,
aid firefighters, and reduce property damage. References are at the end of this section which
include smoke control codes.
Smoke is a highly toxic agent. nformation from !. S. "ire Administration estimates that in
#$%$ approximately &,''' fire fatalities occurred in the !nited States and %' percent of these
deaths were from inhalation of smoke. "urthermore, an additional #'',''' individuals were
injured, and fire damage exceeded (#' billion.
)ong term effects on humans from repeated exposure to smoke and heat is a major concern.
According to the *ational nstitute of +uilding Sciences, ,The significance of time of human
exposure is the fact that brief exposure to a highly toxic environment may be survived, while
a lengthy exposure to a moderately toxic environment can lead to incapacitation, narcosis, or
death.,
#
The primary toxic agent produced in building fires is carbon monoxide. -ther toxic
agents include hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride, sulphur dioxide, acrolein, aldehydes,
carbon dioxide, and a variety of airborne particulates carrying heavy metals .antimony, /inc,
chromium, and lead0.
1arly smoke control systems used the concept of passive control to limit the spread of fire and
smoke. This method evolved from early fire containment methods used in high rise buildings.
2ith passive control, 34A5 fans were shut down and dampers were used to prevent smoke
from spreading through ductwork. This application re6uired very7low7leakage dampers. "ire
walls or barriers, used to prevent the spread of fire, were enhanced to prevent the spread of
smoke.
n the late #$&'s, the concept of active smoke control was created. 2ith active control, the
34A5 fans activate to prevent smoke migration to areas outside of fire /ones. This method
includes pressuri/ed stairwells and a techni6ue sometimes called the pressure sandwich or
/oning in which the floors adjacent to the fire floor are pressuri/ed and the fire floor is
exhausted.
DEFINITIONS
AHJ: Authority 3aving 8urisdiction.
ASHRAE: American Society of 3eating, Refrigerating and Air75onditioning 1ngineers, nc.
Atrium: A large volume space within a floor opening or series of floor openings connecting
two or more stories, covered at the top of the series of openings, and used for purposes other
than an enclosed stairway, elevator hoistway, escalator opening, or utility shaft.
uo!an"!: The tendency of warmer air or smoke to rise when located in cooler surrounding
air. 5aused by the warmer air being less dense than the cooler air, resulting in pressure
differences.
Com#ination $ire and smoke dam%er: A device that resists the passage of air, fire, and
smoke and meets the re6uirements of !) 999, Standard for "ire :ampers, and !) 999S,
Standard for )eakage Rated :ampers for !se n Smoke 5ontrol Systems.
Co&ered mall: A large volume space created by a roofed7over common pedestrian area, in a
building, enclosing a number of tenants and occupancies such as retail stores, drinking
establishments, entertainment and amusement facilities, and offices. Tenant spaces open onto,
or directly communicate with, the pedestrian area.
E'%ansion: The increase in the volume of smoke and gas caused by the energy released from
a fire.
Fire dam%er: A damper that meets the re6uirements of !) 999, Standard for "ire :ampers,
and resists the passage of air or fire.
FSCS: "irefighters; Smoke 5ontrol Station.
(arge &olume s%a"e: An uncompartmented space, generally two or more stories in height,
within which smoke from a fire, either in the space or in a communicating space, can move
and accumulate without restriction. Atria and covered malls are examples of large volume
spaces.
NF)A: *ational "ire <rotection Association.
)ressure sand*i"+: An application where only the /ones adjacent to a smoke /one are
pressuri/ed and the fire /one is exhausted to limit the spread of smoke.
Smoke: The airborne solid and li6uid particulates and gases developed when a material
undergoes pyrolysis or combustion, together with the 6uantity of air that is entrained or
otherwise mixed into the mass.
Smoke Control S!stem: A system that modifies the movement of smoke in ways to provide
safety for the occupants of a building, aid firefighters, and reduce property damage.
Smoke Management S!stem, A"ti&e: A system that uses fans to produce airflows and
pressure differences across smoke barriers to limit and direct smoke movement.
Smoke Management S!stem, )assi&e: A system that shuts down fans and closes dampers to
limit the spread of fire and smoke.
Smoke Control -one: An indoor space enclosed by smoke barriers, including the top and
bottom, that is part of a /oned smoke control system.
Smoke Dam%er: A device designed to resist the passage of air or smoke that meets the
re6uirements of !) 999S, Standard for )eakage Rated :ampers for !se n Smoke 5ontrol
Systems.
Sta"k E$$e"t: A difference in density caused by temperature7pressure differences between the
air inside a building and the air outside a building. The air inside the building moves upwards
or downwards depending on whether the air is warmer or colder, respectively, than the air
outside.
U(: !nderwriter;s )aboratories nc.
U)S: !ninterruptible <ower Supply
Smoke Management Fundamentals
OJECTI.ES
:esigning a smoke management system re6uires agreement on the system objectives. The
following is a partial list of potential system objectives=
7 <rovide safety for the occupants
7 1xtend egress time
7 <rovide safe egress route
7 <rovide safe /ones .tenable environment0
7 Assist firefighters
7 )imit property damage
7 )imit spread of smoke away from fire area
7 5lear smoke away for visibility
7 <rovide elevator usage during fires as an egress route for the handicapped
DESI/N CONSIDERATIONS
/eneral
"our points must be stressed in developing a smoke management system=
#. The smoke management system can be properly designed only with agreement on the
objectives of the system.
>. The smoke management system must be designed as a complete mechanical control system
that is able to function satisfactorily in the smoke management mode. The smoke
management system should be designed independently of the 34A5 system and then
integrated, where feasible, without sacrificing functionality of the smoke control system.
?. The smoke management system must be designed to be reliable, simple, and maintainable.
@. The smoke management system must be designed to minimi/e the risks of failure and must
be tested periodically. Sensors providing status of operation and building automation controls
providing system monitoring and printed records can assist in the testing process.
<resent smoke control systems use active methods and follow two basic design approaches to
preventing the movement of smoke from the fire /one=
7 <roviding static pressure differences across penetrations in smoke barriers, such as cracks
around doors.
7 <roviding ade6uate velocity of air through large openings in smoke barriers, such as doors in
an open position.
Although these two methods are directly related, it is more practical to use one or the other to
design with and measure the results.
Aethods used to activate smoke control systems re6uire careful consideration. "or /oned
smoke control, care must be taken in using smoke detectors to initiate a pressuri/ation
strategy. f a smoke detector that is not in the smoke /one goes into alarm, the wrong smoke
control strategy will be employed. Alternatives for system initiation may not solve the
problem. f a pull station is activated from a nonfire /one, the wrong smoke control strategy
will be employed.
Any alarm activation of a smoke management system that is common to all strategies in the
building, such as stairwell pressuri/ation, atria, and exhaust, is acceptable.
"or a smoke management system to function reliably, building leakage must be controlled
during and after construction. Any penetrations of smoke barriers and walls used for
pressuri/ation must be carefully considered in order to maintain the intended smoke control.
Smoke management typically includes control of fires by automatic sprinklers. :esigning
smoke management systems for sprinklered buildings is 6uite practical. 3owever, designing
smoke management systems for buildings that do not have sprinkler systems is extremely
difficult. 5omplicating the design task are problems with estimating the fire si/e and dealing
with higher static pressures .or airflows0.
Smoke vents and smoke shafts are also commonly used as a part of the smoke management
system to vent pressures and smoke from fire areasB however, their effectiveness depends on
the nearness of the fire, the buoyancy of the smoke, and other forces driving the smoke.
(a!out o$ S!stem
Smoke management e6uipment should be located in a building where it can best facilitate
smoke control for various building layouts. The following guidelines apply=
"ollow the drawings and specifications for the job.
)ocate the smoke controls near the mechanical e6uipment used to control the smoke.
Try to minimi/e the length of runs for sensors, actuators, power, and communications
wiring in order to reduce the possibility of wiring being exposed to areas where there
might be a fire.
Appendix A of *"<A $>A describes an example of a "irefighters; Smoke 5ontrol Station
."S5S0. The "S5S allows firefighters to have control capability over the smoke control
e6uipment within the building. The "S5S must be able to show clearly if the smoke control
e6uipment is in the normal mode or the smoke control mode. The example in *"<A $>A
includes location, access, physical arrangement, control capability, response time, and graphic
depiction. This example is for information only and is not a re6uirement.
Codes and Standards
The integration of fire alarm and smoke control is covered in !) %&@, Standard for 5ontrol
!nits for "ire7<rotective Signaling Systems. 5ompliance with this !) standard for
engineered smoke control systems re6uires the following=
7 5ompliance with *"<A $>A, Recommended <ractice for Smoke 5ontrol Systems
7 1nd7of7process verification of each control se6uence
7 Annunciation of any failure to confirm e6uipment operation
7 Automatic testing of dedicated smoke control systems
5ontrols that meet !) Standard %&@ are listed under !) 5ategory !!C). Standby power and
electrical supervision items listed in !)%&@ are optional for smoke control systems.
According to *"<A $>A, control se6uences should allow smoke control modes to have the
highest priorityB however, some control functions should not be overridden. 1xamples of
these functions are duct7static high pressure limit control and shutdown of the supply fan on
detection of smoke in a supply air duct.
Aanual override of automatic smoke control systems should be permitted. n the event of
multiple alarm signals, the system should respond to the first set of alarm conditions unless
manually overridden.
All related energy management functions should be overridden when any smoke control mode
is activated by an actual alarm or during the testing process.
:uring the planning stage of a project, design criteria should include a procedure for
acceptance testing. *"<A $>A states that, ,5ontract documents should include operational
and acceptance testing procedures so that all parties7designer, installers, owner, and Authority
3aving 8urisdiction .A3807have a clear understanding of the system objectives and the testing
procedure.,
>
)egal authority for approval of smoke control systems is from the Authority 3aving
8urisdiction .A380. The A38 uses local building codes as its primary standard. )ocal building
codes are established using several reference standards or codes including the following=
0 Model uilding Codes:
7 +uilding -fficials and 5ode Administrators nternational .+-5A0, nc.
7 nternational 5onference of +uilding -fficials .5+-0
7 Southern +uilding 5ode 5ongress, nc. .S+550
7 2estern "ire 5hiefs Association .2"5A0
7 *ational Aechanincal 5ode .*A50
7 American with :isabilities Act .A:A0
0 National Fire )rote"tion Asso"iation 1NF)A2 Standards:
7 *"<A $>A, Recommended <ractice for Smoke 5ontrol Systems
7 *"<A $>+, Duide for Smoke Aanagement Systems in Aalls, Atria, and )arge Areas
7 *"<A $'A, nstallation of Air 5onditioning Systems
0 Under*riters (a#oratories 1U(2 Standards:
7 !) 999, Standard for "ire :ampers and 5eiling :ampers
7 !) 999S, Standard for )eakage Rated :ampers for !se n Smoke 5ontrol Systems
7 !) %&@, Standard for 5ontrol !nits for "ire7<rotective Signaling Systems .!) 5ategory
!!C)0
Do back to top
Smoke Management Fundamentals
DESI/N )RINCI)(ES
Causes o$ Smoke Mo&ement
The movement or flow of smoke in a building is caused by a combination of stack effect,
buoyancy, expansion, wind velocity, and the 34A5 system. See "igure #. These items
basically cause pressure differences resulting in movement of the air and smoke in a building.
Fig3 43 Fa"tors A$$e"ting t+e Mo&ement o$ Smoke3
+efore controls can be applied, it is necessary to first understand the overall movement of
smoke.
Stack Effect
Stack effect is caused by the indoor and outdoor air temperature differences. The temperature
difference causes a difference in the density of the air inside and outside of the building. This
creates a pressure difference which can cause a vertical movement of the air within the
building. This phenomenon is called stack effect. The air can move through elevator shafts,
stairwells, mechanical shafts, and other vertical openings. The temperature7pressure
difference is greater for fire7heated air which may contain smoke than it is for normal
conditioned air. "or further information of stack effect refer to the +uiding Airflow Systems
5ontrol Applications section.
2hen it is colder outside than inside, there is a movement of air upward within the building.
This is called normal stack effect. Stack effect is greater for a tall building than for a low
buildingB however, stack effect can exist in a one7story building. 2ith normal stack effect, air
enters the building below the neutral plane, approximately midheight, and exits above the
neutral plane. See "igure >. Air neither enters nor exits at the neutral plane, a level where the
pressures are e6ual inside and outside the building.
Note: Arrows ndicate :irection of Air Aovement
Fig3 53 Smoke Mo&ement Caused #! Normal or Re&erse Sta"k E$$e"t3
2hen it is colder inside than outside, there is a movement of air downward within the
building. This is called reverse stack effect. 2ith reverse stack effect, air enters the building
above the neutral plane and exits below the neutral plane.
The pressure difference across the building;s exterior wall caused by temperature differences
.normal or reverse stack effect0 according to :esign of Smoke Aanagement Systems
published by AS3RA1 is expressed as=
?

2here=
E <ressure difference in. wc
Cs E 5oefficient, F.&@
To E Absolute temperature of outdoor air, Rankine .R0
Ti E Absolute temperature of air inside the shaft, Rankine .R0
h E :istance above the neutral plane, ft
Buoyancy
+uoyancy is the tendency of warm air or smoke to rise when located in cool surrounding air.
+uoyancy occurs because the warmer air is less dense than the cooler air, resulting in pressure
differences. )arge pressure differences are possible in tall fire compartments.
The buoyancy effect can cause smoke movement through barriers above the fire and through
leakage paths in walls. 3owever, as smoke moves away from the fire, its temperature is
lowered due to heat transfer and dilutionB therefore, the effect of buoyancy decreases with
distance from the fire.
The pressure difference between a fire /one and the /one above can be expressed as=
?

2here=
E <ressure difference in. wc
Cs E 5oefficient, F.&@
To E Absolute temperature of surrounding air, Rankine .R0
Tf E Absolute temperature of the fire compartment, Rankine .R0
h E :istance above the neutral plane, ft
Expansion
The energy released by fire can move smoke by expansion of hot gas caused by the fire. A
fire increases the volume of the heated gas and smoke and causes pressure in the fire
compartment. f there are several openings, the pressure differences are small.
The volumetric flow of smoke out of a fire /one is greater than the airflow into the fire /one.
This situation is expressed as=
?
2here=
G
out
E 4olumetric flow rate of smoke out of the fire compartment, cfm
G
in
E 4olumetric flow rate of air into the fire compartment, cfm
T
out
E Absolute temperature of smoke leaving the fire compartment, Rankine.R0
T
in
E Absolute temperature of air into the fire compartment, Rankine .R0
"or tightly sealed fire /ones, the pressure differences across the barrier caused by expansion
can be extremely important. 4enting or relieving of pressures created by expansion is critical
to smoke control. 4enting is often accomplished with smoke vents and smoke shafts.
The relationship between volumetric airflow .smoke0 and pressure through small openings,
such as cracks, is as=
?
2here=
E <ressure difference across the flow p in. wc
G E 4olumetric flow rate, cfm
Cf E 5oefficient, >&#'
A E "low area, s6 ft
Wind Velocity
2ind velocity can have a significant effect on the movement of smoke within a building. The
infiltration and exfiltration of outdoor air caused by wind can cause the smoke to move to
areas other than the fire compartment. <ositive pressures on the windward side cause
infiltrationB negative pressures on the leeward side cause exfiltration. The higher the wind
velocity, the greater the pressure on the side of the building. n general, wind velocity
increases with the height from the ground. The effects of wind on a tightly constructed
building can be negligible. 3owever, the effects can be significant for loosely constructed
buildings or buildings with open doors or windows.
f a window breaks on the windward side of a building because of a fire, smoke can be forced
from the fire compartment to other areas of the building, endangering lives and dominating air
movement. f a window breaks on the leeward side, the wind can help to vent the smoke from
the fire compartment to the outside.
<
2
E 5
2
x C
2
x 4
>
The pressure caused by wind on a building surface is expressed as=
?
2here=
<
2
E 2ind pressure, in. wc
5
2
E :imensionless pressure coefficient
C
2
E 5oefficient, @.%> x #'
7@
4 E 2ind velocity, mph
The pressure coefficient, 5w, varies greatly depending on the geometry of the building and
can vary over the surface of the wall. 4alues range from '.% to '.%, with positive values for
windward walls and negative values for leeward walls.
HVAC
34A5 systems can provide a means for smoke transport even when the system is shut down
.e.g., a bypass damper venting smoke0. !tili/ing the 34A5 system in smoke control
strategies can offer an economic means of control and even meet the need for /one
pressuri/ation .e.g., pressuri/ing areas adjacent to a fire compartment0.
Control of Smoke
Smoke control uses barriers within the building along with airflow produced by mechanical
fans to contain the smoke. "or some areas, the pressure difference across the barrier can be
used to control the smoke. 2here the barriers have large penetrations, such as door openings,
it is easier to design and measure the control system results by using airflow methods. +oth
methods, pressuri/ation and airflow, are discussed in the following.
n addition to life safety re6uirements, smoke control systems should be designed to provide a
path to exhaust the smoke to the outdoors, thereby relieving the building of some of the heat
of the fire and the pressure of the gas expansion.
Pressurization
<ressuri/ation of nonsmoke areas can be used to contain smoke in a fire or smoke /one.
+arriers are re6uired between the nonsmoke areas and the area.s0 containing the smoke and
fire. "or the barrier to perform correctly in a smoke control system, a static pressure
difference is re6uired across any penetrations or cracks to prevent the movement of smoke.
"igure ? illustrates such an arrangement with a door in a wall. The high pressure side can act
as a refuge or an escape route, the low pressure side as a containment area. The high pressure
prevents any of the smoke from infiltrating into the high pressure area.
Fig3 63 )ressuri7ation Used to )re&ent Smoke In$iltration3
Duidelines for pressuri/ation values are found in *"<A $>A, Recommended <ractice for
Smoke 5ontrol Systems. Table # indicates minimum design pressure differences across
smoke barriers. The design pressure difference listed is the pressure difference between the
smoke /one and adjacent spaces while the affected areas are in the smoke control mode. The
smoke control system should be able to maintain these minimum pressure differences while
the building is under typical conditions of stack effect and wind. This table is for gas
temperatures of #F''" adjacent to the barrier. To calculate pressure differences for gas
temperatures other than #F''", refer to data in *"<A $>A.
Ta#le 43 Suggested Minimum Design )ressure Di$$eren"es A"ross Smoke arriers3
<ressure differences can vary because of fan pulsations, wind, and doors opening and closing.
Short7term variances, from the suggested minimum design pressure differences in Table #, do
not seem to have significant effects on the protection furnished by a smoke control system.
There is no actual definitive value for short7term variances. The value depends on the
tightness of the construction and the doors, the toxicity of the smoke, the airflow rates, and the
volume of the protected space. -ccasional variances of up to 9' percent of the maximum
design pressure difference can be allowed in most cases.
Table > lists values for the maximum pressure differences across doors. These values should
not be exceeded so that the doors can be used when the pressuri/ation system is in operation.
Aany door closers re6uire less force when the door is initially opened than the force re6uired
to open the door fully. The sum of the door closer forc1 and the pressure imposed on the door
by the pressuri/ation system combine only until the door is opened sufficiently to allow air to
move easily through the door. The force imposed by a door closing device on closing a door
is often different from that imposed on opening a door.
Note: Total door opening force is #??*. :oor height is >.#?m.
The distance from the doorknob to the knob side of the door is '.'F&m.
Ta#le 53 Ma'imum )ressure Di$$eren"e A"ross Doors in In3 *" 1NF)A 85985A23
The door widths in Table > apply only for doors that are hinged at one side. "or other
arrangements, door si/es, or for hardware other than knobs .e.g., panic hardware0, refer to
calculation procedures furnished in :esign of Smoke 5ontrol Systems for +uildings
published by AS3RA1
?
.
Airflow
Airflow is most commonly used to stop smoke movement through open doorways and
corridors. "igure @ illustrates a system with relatively high velocity to prevent backflow of
smoke through an open doorway. "igure 9 illustrates a system with relatively low velocity
which allows backflow of smoke. The magnitude of the velocity of the airflow re6uired to
prevent backflow depends on the energy release rate of the fire. Since this can vary, the
velocity should be regulated to prevent oxygen from being fed to the fire. The fact that doors
are sometimes left open during evacuation of a building, allowing smoke to flow through,
should be taken into account in designing the smoke control system. This is done by
designing and testing the system with one or more doors open.
Fig3 :3 Hig+ Air .elo"it! )re&enting a"k$lo* o$ Smoke T+roug+ an O%en Door*a!3

Fig3 ;3 (o* Air .elo"it! Allo*ing a"k$lo* o$ Smoke t+roug+ an O%en Door*a!3
Purging
+ecause fires produce large 6uantities of smoke, purging cannot ensure breathable air in a
space while a fire is in progress. After a fire, purging is necessary to allow firefighters to
verify that the fire is totally extinguished. Traditionally, firefighters have opened doors and
windows to purge an area. 2here this is not possible, the 34A5 system can be designed to
have a purge mode.
The principle of dilution can be applied to /ones where smoke has entered and is being
purged. <urging dilutes the contaminated air and can continue until the level of obscuration is
reduced and the space is reasonably safe to enter. The following e6uation allows determining
a concentration of contaminant in a compartment after purging for a given length of time
?
=
5 E 5
'
x e
at
2here=
5 E concentration of contaminant at time, t i
5' E initial concentration of contaminant
a E purging rate in number of air changes per minute
t E time after doors close in minutes
e E constant, approximately >.F#%
5are must be taken in the use of this e6uation because of the nonuniformity of the smoke.
+uoyancy is likely to cause greater concentration of smoke near the ceiling. Therefore,
consideration of the locations of supply and exhaust registers is important to effective
purging.
CONTRO( A))(ICATIONS
"igure & illustrates a smoke control system with detectors, an initiating panel, and a
communications bus to an alarm processor and remote control panels in appropriate areas of
the building. A configuration similar to this will meet the re6uirements of !) %&@, Standard
for 5ontrol !nits for "ire7<rotective Signaling Systems, and comply with *"<A $>A
recommended practice for smoke control systems. The remote control panels position
dampers and operate fans to contain or exhaust smoke, depending on the re6uirements of the
various areas in the building. The system can have an operator;s control console for the
building personnel and an "S5S from which to view the status of and override the smoke
control system. The system re6uires a means of verifying operation, such as differential
pressure or airflow proving devices, for each control se6uence. An uninterruptible power
supply .!<S0 is optional but recommended.
Fig3 <3 T!%i"al Smoke Control S!stem Meeting t+e Re=uirements o$ U( Standard ><:
and NF)A 85A3
The following discussions cover smoke control applications for building /ones, stairwells,
and large areas including malls and atria. 1ach of these discussions conclude with a typical
operational se6uence complying with !) Standard %&@ for the smoke control system
illustrated in "igure &.
-one )ressuri7ation
The objective of /one pressuri/ation is to limit the movement of smoke outside the fire or the
smoke control /one by providing higher pressure areas adjacent to the smoke /one. Hone
pressuri/ation can be accomplished by=
7 <roviding supply air to adjacent /ones
7 Shutting off all returns or exhausts to floors other than the fire floor
7 1xhausting the smoke /one .also aids stairwell pressuri/ation systems by minimi/ing
buoyancy and expansion effects0
7 Shutting off, providing supply air to, or leaving under temperature control all supplies other
than those adjacent to the fire floor
A smoke control /one can consist of one or more floors or a portion of a floor. "igure F
illustrates typical arrangements of smoke control /ones. The minus sign indicates the smoke
/one. The plus signs indicate pressuri/ed nonsmoke /ones. n the event of a fire, the doors are
closed to the fire or smoke control /one and the adjacent /ones are pressuri/ed. n the
example in "igures FA and F+, the floors above and below the smoke /one are pressuri/ed.
The application in "igure F+ is called a pressure sandwich. n "igures F5 and F:, the smoke
/one consists of more than one floor. n "igure F1, the smoke /one is only a part of a floor
and all the rest of the building areas are pressuri/ed. Smoke /ones should be kept as small as
reasonable so control response can be readily achieved and 6uantities of air delivered to the
nonsmoke /ones can be held to manageable levels.
Fig3 ?3 T!%i"al -one )ressuri7ation Arrangements $or Smoke Control -ones3
The practice of exhausting air as a means of providing higher pressure areas adjacent to the
smoke /one should be examined carefully. 1xhausting air from the fire floor may tend to pull
the fire along and cause flames to spread before they can be extinguished.
Another consideration in /one pressuri/ation is that bringing in outdoor air at low
temperatures can cause serious free/e damage. <rovision should be made to prevent damage
when using outdoor air, such as providing emergency preheat and minimi/ing the 6uantity of
outdoor air used.
Testing of smoke control strategies should include not only verification of acceptable
pressures but also confirmation that interaction with other systems creates no problems, such
as excessive door pull in a stairwell pressuri/ation system.
T!%i"al O%eration $or -one )ressuri7ation S!stem .See "ig. &0=
#. Smoke detector.s0 initiate alarm in specific /one.
>. System switches to smoke control mode as determined in remote control panel.
?. System turns on pressuri/ation fans if not already on.
@. System allows pressuri/ation fans to continue running if supply duct smoke detector is not
in alarm or manual override is not activated.
9. System enables damper operation as appropriate for smoke control mode.
&. -perator verifies operation as appropriate .e.g., action of differential pressure switch0.
F. -perator cancels smoke control mode as long as initiating panel is not in alarm and "S5S
is not in manual override.
Stairwell Pressurization
The objective of stairwell pressuri/ation is to provide an acceptable environment within a
stairwell, in the event of a fire, to furnish an egress route for occupants and a staging area for
firefighters. -n the fire floor, a pressure difference must be maintained across the closed stair
tower door to ensure that smoke infiltration is limited. Also, ade6uate purging must be
provided to limit smoke density caused by temporary door openings on the fire floor.
To ensure proper stairwell pressuri/ation system design, a means should be included to
modulate either the supply or the exhaustIrelief dampers. Also, a means should be included to
provide multiple supply injection points at a minimum of every three floors .unless design
analysis can justify a greater spacing0 to provide uniform pressuri/ation.
According to *"<A $>A, Recommended <ractice for Smoke 5ontrol Systems, the intake of
supply air should be isolated from smoke shafts, roof smoke and heat vents, and other
building openings that might expel smoke from the building in a fire. 2ind shields should be
considered at fan intakes.
-pen7loop control of pressuri/ation is seldom acceptable because of significant pressure
differences caused by door openings. 5losed loop or modulation provides the ability to
control pressuri/ation within acceptable limits. 5losed loop control can be as simple as a
barometric pressure damper ."ig. %0 to relieve pressure at the top of a stairwell or a more
complex system to modulate dampers or fans at multiple injection points ."ig. $0 in response
to differential pressure measurements at these points.
Fig3 >3 Stair*ell )ressuri7ation *it+ arometri" )ressure Dam%er to .ent to t+e
Outside3

Fig3 83 Stair*ell )ressuri7ation *it+ Modulating Dam%ers and Multi%le In@e"tion )oints
to Regulate )ressure3
Testing o$ stair*ell %ressuri7ation s!stems s+ould #e "ondu"ted *it+ agreed on
"onditions in"luding:
7 *umber and location of doors held open
7 -utside pressure conditions known
7 Aaximum door pull force allowed
T!%i"al O%eration $or Stair*ell )ressuri7ation .See "ig. &0=
#. Any fire alarm initiates smoke control mode.
>. System turns on pressuri/ation fans.
?. System allows pressuri/ation fans to continue running if supply duct smoke detector is not
in alarm or manual override is not activated.
@. System enables damper operation as appropriate for smoke control mode.
9. -perator verifies operation as appropriate .e.g., action of differential pressure switch0.
&. -perator cancels smoke control mode as long as initiating panel is not in alarm and "S5S
is not in manual override.
Control of Malls, Atria and arge Areas
The objective of malls, atria, and other large area smoke control systems is to prevent the area
from filling with smoke as a result of fire in the area or an adjoining area. <urging is used as
the means to dilute and remove smoke.
n large areas ."ig. #'0, the smoke produced is buoyant and rises in a plume until it strikes the
ceiling or stratifies because of temperature inversion. The smoke layer then tends to descend
as the plume continues to supply smoke. Smoke can be exhausted to delay the rate of descent
of the smoke layer. Also, sprinklers can reduce the heat release rate and the smoke entering
the plume. Adjacent spaces to the mall or atrium can be protected from the smoke by barriers
or opposed airflow.
Fig3 4A3 Control o$ Smoke in Malls, Atria, and Ot+er (arge Areas3
Additional information can be found in *"<A $>+, Duide for Smoke Aanagement in Aalls,
Atria, and )arge Areas.
T!%i"al O%eration $or Malls, Atria, and (arge Area Smoke Control S!stem .See "ig. &0=
#. Any fire alarm initiates smoke control mode.
>. System turns on exhaust fans.
?. System enables damper operation as appropriate for smoke control mode.
@. -perator verifies operation as appropriate .e.g., action of airflow7proving sail switch0.
9. -perator cancels smoke control mode as long as initiating panel is not in alarm and "S5S
is not in manual override
ACCE)TANCE TESTIN/
Smoke control systems must be tested carefully and thoroughly. All measurements should be
recorded and saved.
AS3RA1 Duideline 97#$$@ should be followed.
The system should be activated by an appropriate sensor within the /one .if applicable0 and
the results should be monitored and recorded.
2here standby power is used, testing should be conducted with both normal power and
standby power.
The use of smoke bombs or tracer gas to test smoke control systems is discouraged because
they cannot accurately simulate fire conditions. Smoke bombs and tracer gas lack the buoyant
forces caused by heat generated in a fire. These items can be used, however, for identifying
leakage paths and leakage areas.
)eriodi" testing s+ould #e "ondu"ted in a""ordan"e *it+ t+e $ollo*ing:
7 *"<A $'A, nstallation of Air 5onditioning and 4entilating Systems
7 *"<A $>A, Recommended <ractice for Smoke 5ontrol Systems
7 *"<A $>+, Duide for Smoke Aanagement Systems in Aalls, Atria, and )arge Areas
Smoke Management Fundamentals
I(IO/RA)HB
Re$eren"ed )u#li"ations
#. Toxicity 1ffects Resulting from "ires in +uildings, State7of7the Art Report, Aay #&, #$%?,
*ational nstitute of +uilding Sciences.
>. *"<A $>A, Recommended <ractice for Smoke 5ontrol Systems, #$$& 1dition.
?. :esign of Smoke Aanagement Systems, #$$> 1dition, 8.3. Clote and 8ames A. AilkeB
AS3RA1, nc., and Society of "ire <rotection 1ngineers, nc.
Additional !elated Pu"lications
#. Smoke Aanagement, 5hapter @%, AS3RA1 #$$9 34A5 Applications 3andbook.
>. *"<A F> *ational "ire Alarm 5ode, #$$& 1dition.
?. *"<A $'A, nstallation of Air 5onditioning and 4entilating Systems, #$$& 1dition.
@. *"<A $>+, Duide for Smoke Aanagement Systems in Aalls, Atria, and )arge Areas, #$$9
1dition.
9. *"<A #'#, )ife Safety 5ode, #$$@ 1dition.
&. Smoke 5ontrol in "ire Safety :esign, A. D. +utcher and A. 5. <arnell, 1. J ". *. Spon
)td., ## *ew "etter )ane, )ondon 15@< @11, #$F$.
F. Smoke 5ontrol Technology, 5ode %%#@&, AS3RA1, #$%$.
%. !) 999, Standard for "ire :ampers and 5eiling :ampers, "ifth 1dition, #$$9 Revision.
$. !) 999S, Standard for )eakage Rated :ampers for !se n Smoke 5ontrol Systems, Third
1dition, #$$& Revision.
#'. !) %&@, Standard for 5ontrol !nits for "ire7<rotective Signaling Systems .!) 5ategory
!!C)0, 1ighth 1dition, #$$& Revision.
##. AS3RA1 Duidelines 97#$$@, 5ommissioning Smoke Aanagement Systems, SS* #'@$
%$@K.
#>. *"<A "ire <rotection 3andbook, #Fth 1dition, #$$#.
#?. Smoke Aovement and 5ontrol in 3igh7Rise +uildings, Deorge T. Tamura, <.1., *"<A,
Guincy Aassachusetts, :ecember #$$@B )ibrary of 5ongress $@7'&$9@>B *"<A S53R7$@B
S+= '7%FF&97@'#7%.
Re$eren"ed )u#li"ations
#. Toxicity 1ffects Resulting from "ires in +uildings, State7of7the Art Report, Aay #&, #$%?,
*ational nstitute of +uilding Sciences.
>. *"<A $>A, Recommended <ractice for Smoke 5ontrol Systems, #$$& 1dition.
?. :esign of Smoke Aanagement Systems, #$$> 1dition, 8.3. Clote and 8ames A. AilkeB
AS3RA1, nc., and Society of "ire <rotection 1ngineers, nc.
Additional !elated Pu"lications
#. Smoke Aanagement, 5hapter @%, AS3RA1 #$$9 34A5 Applications 3andbook.
>. *"<A F> *ational "ire Alarm 5ode, #$$& 1dition.
?. *"<A $'A, nstallation of Air 5onditioning and 4entilating Systems, #$$& 1dition.
@. *"<A $>+, Duide for Smoke Aanagement Systems in Aalls, Atria, and )arge Areas, #$$9
1dition.
9. *"<A #'#, )ife Safety 5ode, #$$@ 1dition.
&. Smoke 5ontrol in "ire Safety :esign, A. D. +utcher and A. 5. <arnell, 1. J ". *. Spon
)td., ## *ew "etter )ane, )ondon 15@< @11, #$F$.
F. Smoke 5ontrol Technology, 5ode %%#@&, AS3RA1, #$%$.
%. !) 999, Standard for "ire :ampers and 5eiling :ampers, "ifth 1dition, #$$9 Revision.
$. !) 999S, Standard for )eakage Rated :ampers for !se n Smoke 5ontrol Systems, Third
1dition, #$$& Revision.
#'. !) %&@, Standard for 5ontrol !nits for "ire7<rotective Signaling Systems .!) 5ategory
!!C)0, 1ighth 1dition, #$$& Revision.
##. AS3RA1 Duidelines 97#$$@, 5ommissioning Smoke Aanagement Systems, SS* #'@$
%$@K.
#>. *"<A "ire <rotection 3andbook, #Fth 1dition, #$$#.
#?. Smoke Aovement and 5ontrol in 3igh7Rise +uildings, Deorge T. Tamura, <.1., *"<A,
Guincy Aassachusetts, :ecember #$$@B )ibrary of 5ongress $@7'&$9@>B *"<A S53R7$@B
S+= '7%FF&97@'#7%.
Additional !elated Pu"lications
#. Smoke Aanagement, 5hapter @%, AS3RA1 #$$9 34A5 Applications 3andbook.
>. *"<A F> *ational "ire Alarm 5ode, #$$& 1dition.
?. *"<A $'A, nstallation of Air 5onditioning and 4entilating Systems, #$$& 1dition.
@. *"<A $>+, Duide for Smoke Aanagement Systems in Aalls, Atria, and )arge Areas, #$$9
1dition.
9. *"<A #'#, )ife Safety 5ode, #$$@ 1dition.
&. Smoke 5ontrol in "ire Safety :esign, A. D. +utcher and A. 5. <arnell, 1. J ". *. Spon
)td., ## *ew "etter )ane, )ondon 15@< @11, #$F$.
F. Smoke 5ontrol Technology, 5ode %%#@&, AS3RA1, #$%$.
%. !) 999, Standard for "ire :ampers and 5eiling :ampers, "ifth 1dition, #$$9 Revision.
$. !) 999S, Standard for )eakage Rated :ampers for !se n Smoke 5ontrol Systems, Third
1dition, #$$& Revision.
#'. !) %&@, Standard for 5ontrol !nits for "ire7<rotective Signaling Systems .!) 5ategory
!!C)0, 1ighth 1dition, #$$& Revision.
##. AS3RA1 Duidelines 97#$$@, 5ommissioning Smoke Aanagement Systems, SS* #'@$
%$@K.
#>. *"<A "ire <rotection 3andbook, #Fth 1dition, #$$#.
#?. Smoke Aovement and 5ontrol in 3igh7Rise +uildings, Deorge T. Tamura, <.1., *"<A,
Guincy Aassachusetts, :ecember #$$@B )ibrary of 5ongress $@7'&$9@>B *"<A S53R7$@B
S+= '7%FF&97@'#7%.