International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 4, Issue 2, February-2013 1

ISSN 2229-5518

A Comparative Analysis of the Provisions of

Smoke Control Systems in Buildings of National
Building Code of India with other International
Building Codes.
Prof. Pratima Dhoke, Dr. Ravi Bhargava, Dr. Shorab Jain

Abstract— The paper aims to study the requirements for Smoke movement and Control in buildings provided in National Building Code of
India (NBC) 2005 and compare the provisions for the same with that in the International Building Code (IBC) 2006 andNational Fire
Protection AssociationNFPA 92A- Recommended Practice for Smoke Control Systems, 2000 Edition. It aims to study these documents in
terms of their purpose, content and scope for Smoke Control in Buildings. It is an attempt to analyse and compare the approach to smoke
control issues of each code.

Index Terms— Air changes, Evacuation, Fire prevention, Fire protection, Pressurization, Smoke control, Smoke movement, Smoke
Venting, Toxic gases.

——————————  ——————————

1 INTRODUCTION
Various past fire incidences in buildings and the number of The statistics in the below mentioned table 1 demonstrate that
fatalities due to it, has made fire prevention and protection deaths (in UK) from furniture ignited in dwellings have more
one of the basic concerns for planning, design, construction than doubled and that the majority of cases were caused by
and operation of buildings. Among all the building related fire smoke and toxic gases.
deaths nearly three fourths are from inhalation of smoke and
toxic gases produced in fires rather than from exposure to Table 1: Causes of Deaths in Furniture Fires in Dwellings
flame or heat. The great amounts of toxic products present in and in other Fires Classified by Survey Year (UK)
smoke are hazardous out of which Carbon mono-oxide (CO) is
a major cause of deaths. It is therefore, desirable that all large Type of fire 1962 1967 1970 1972
and tall buildings of huge assemblage especially the escape and causes of
routes are designed for Smoke control. This is more important deaths
for people awaiting evacuation to sustain their lives, especially All fire 667 779 839 1078
in high rise buildings. deaths 480 322 358 459
Burns 150 382 425 502
Smoke control is necessary for: Smoke or tox- 37 75 56 117
• the safety of persons by keeping the escape routes ic fumes
smoke free for evacuation. Other
• protection of persons and property by improving the Deaths in
conditions for fire fighting. furniture 156 212 270 289
• achieving direct cost savings by allowing larger fires in 90 59 47 79
standard fire compartments and/or reduced fire performance dwellings 56 140 213 189
requirements for load bearing structures. Burns 10 13 10 21
Smoke or tox-
ic fumes
The primary objective of smoke control is thus to reduce
Other
the hazard due to smoke by controlling its movement, and by
reduction of its concentration to increase visibility. Other 511 567 569 789
deaths 390 263 311 380
Burns 94 242 212 313
———————————————— Smoke or 27 62 46 96
 Pratima Dhoke is Associate Professor at Smt. Manoramabai Mundle Col- toxic fumes
lege of Architecture, currently pursuing Doctoral degree from Nagpur Other
University, India. E-mail: pratdhoke@yahoo.co.in Source: Fire Safety in Buildings, Jain V.K, New Age International
 Dr. Ravi Bhargava, Dean Architecture School of Architecture, Histuntan
Institute of Technology& Science, Chennai. ltd. Publishers, second edition, 2010. (7)
 Dr. Shorab Jain, Senior Scientist, Central Building Research Institute,
India, E-mail:shorab122@gmail.com
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International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 4, Issue 2, February-2013 2
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the shutdown of
It is therefore important to consider measures which will smoke control sys-
help to minimize the smoke hazard by containing it to a space, tems and the use of
regulating its movement and exhausting it to the atmosphere. smoke compartmen-
The Building regulations and statutory control systems are tation.
directed primarily towards limiting the size of a fire, with the
final objective of minimizing hazard to life and property. A NFPA 92B Guide
fire may be confined to a specific area, but smoke can migrate for Smoke Manage-
to various parts of a building and is therefore a potential ment Systems in
threat to occupants far removed from its source as well as to Malls, Atria, and
occupants in the immediate vicinity. Cases have occurred large areas, for
where occupants on floors far removed from the fire floor maintaining tenable
have lost their lives. The byelaws in many countries do not conditions within
define, as a requirement, the design of buildings to ensure that large zones of fire
the smoke does not enter the protected routes for escape in an origin, and NFPA
204, Guide for
emergency.
Smoke and Heat
In India also the situation is not very different. The recent Venting.
example being the fire at AMRI Hospital at Calcutta on 11th a. Chapter 2 Smoke control sys-
Dec 2011, in which the death toll was 89. While many patients Smoke Discusses various tems shall have
died of burns, several others died due to suffocation caused by Con- types of smoke systems designed in
Carbon monoxide accumulation all over the building. The trol control systems and accordance with the
tragedy unfolded over many hours as patients were suffocated Sys- reviews advantages 909 section and the
to death, some trapped in their beds, others dying in their tems Nil and disadvantages of generally accepted
sleep, too infirm to escape the smoke. The worst affected were and each type. and well-established
the ICU patients who died due to asphyxiation. ap- principles of engi-
plica- neering relevant to
Looking at the importance of Smoke control in buildings it
bility the design.
becomes very necessary to review the provisions made in the
National Building Code of India and the provisions inother
countries, like International Building Code (IBC) 2006 and the
National Fire Protection Association NFPA 92A– 2000.A b.Prin Section 1.5 Section 909.4
comparative study of the provisions made in the National ciples The principle factors Factors such as
Building Code of India 2005, International Building Code of that cause smoke to Stack effect, Tem-
(IBC) 2006 and the National Fire Protection Association NFPA Smoke spread to areas perature effect of
92A– 2000 (Recommended Practice for Smoke Control Con- outside a compart- fire, Wind effect,
Systems) with respect to smoke control systems is carried out trol ment like Stack HVAC systems,
and tabulated in table 2. Nil effect, Temperature Climate are covered
TOP- NATIONAL NFPA92A 2000 INTERNATION- effect on fire, under this section.
IC BUILDING AL BUILDING Weather conditions,
CODE OF CODE-2006. particularly wind
INDIA-2005 and temperature and
SMO No separate This recommended Section 909applies Mechanical air-
KE related sec- practice applies to to mechanical or handling systems are
CON- tion is pro- the design, installa- passive smoke con- covered.
TROL vided. tion, testing, opera- trol systems to es- c. The principle of Section 909.7
SYS- tion and mainte- tablish minimum Air- airflow at sufficient Airflow shall be
TEMS Few consid- nance of new and requirements for the flow velocity is common- directed to limit
erations on retrofitted mechani- design, installation ly used to control smoke migration
smoke vent- cal air handling and acceptance smoke movement from the fire zone is
ing are laid systems also used as testing for smoke through openings. covered under this
down in smoke control sys- control systems Nil The Design infor- section.
Section 3.4 tems. intended to provide mation for design The geometry of the
under General NFPA 90 A, Stand- tenable environment velocity through an openings shall be
requirements ard for the installa- for evacuation and open door sufficient considered to pre-
of all Individ- tion of Air- relocation of occu- to limit smoke back- vent flow reversal
ual Occupan- Conditioning and pants. flow during building from turbulence
cies. Ventilating Systems, evacuation is pro- effects.
for requirements for vided. (Design in-

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International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 4, Issue 2, February-2013 3
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formation is provid- cluded in be used for smoke tems, and draft

ed in ASHRAE/ General re- control, which may curtains shall con-
SFPE, Design of quirements of though not be ade- form to require-
Smoke Management all individual quate for full pres- ments of this sec-
Systems). occupancies. surization. tion.
d.Desi Section 1.6
gn Detailed engineering It mentions
pa- design information the provision
rame- is contained in of smoke
ters ASHRAE/SFPE, venting facili-
Nil Design of smoke ties in form of
management sys- roof vents,
tems, and the NFPA open and
publication, Smoke automatic in
movement and action, with
control in High rise 12 air chang-
buildings. es per hour,
e.Pres Section 4.10 Section 2.3 Section 909.6 and venting
surisa- Pressurizatu- A pressurizedstair- The primary me- for basements
tionof on of stair- wellsystem to be chanical means of in Annexure
stair- case adopted designed to meet the controlling smoke C.
case for high rise minimumand maxi- by pressure differ-
buildings, mum pressure dif- ence across smoke Smoke vent-
buildings ferences is elaborat- barriers is covered. ing for indus-
with mixed ed. trial buildings
occupancy/ Section 2.2.2 men- is covered in
multiplexes tions the stairwell Annexure D.
with area pressurization sys- h.Zon Section 2.5 No related section.
more than tem used in combi- ed The concept of
500 Sqm. nation with other Smoke zoned smoke control
Smoke-control con- intended to limit the
Two methods systems. trol smoke infiltration
of pressuriza- The methods pro- into the stairwell
tion used are vided in withina building is
mentioned ASHRAE/SFPE, discussed in this
Nil
but not de- Design of Smoke section.
tailed out. Management Sys-
tems, can be used to Design guidance on
design systems to dilution temperature
accommodate any- is provided in
where from a few ASHRAE/ SFPE,
open doors to almost Design of Smoke
all doors being open. management Sys-
f.Elev Section 2.4 Section 909.21 tems.
ator Several methods of Where elevator hoist i.Area Section 2.6 No related section.
Smoke correcting the prob- way pressurization s of Smoke control for
con- lem of smoke is provided in lieu of refuge areas of refuge can
trol movement through required enclosed Nil be provided by
Nil
elevator shafts have elevator lobbies, the pressurization.
been proposed and pressurization sys-
investigated. tem shall comply Methods of design
with sections for areas of refuge
909.21.1 through are presented in
909.21.11 . ASHRAE Transac-
g.Smo Section Section 3.2.4 Section 910 tions paper, “Design
ke 3.4.12 A separate system Smoke and heat of Smoke Control
vent- No related supplying outside air vents, or mechanical Systems for Areas of
ing section, in- for ventilation can smoke exhaust sys- refuge.”

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j.BUI Chapter 3.0 Section 909.10 management Sys- consideration stack

LDIN Section Conventional build- Equipments shall be tems. effect, temperature
G 3.4.11.2 ing HVAC systems suitable for its in- Several network effect on fire, wind
EQUI Air condition- can be used to pro- tended use and computer models effect, HVAC sys-
PME ing and venti- vide building smoke probable exposure have been written to tems, climate, dura-
NT lating systems control. Various temperatures for calculate steady tion of operation.
AND shall be so types of equipment which the rational state airflow and
CON- installed and and controls and analysis indicates pressures throughout
TROL maintained as guidelines for adapt- and as approved by the building. CON-
Heat- to minimize ing the majority of fire code officer. TAM and ASCOS
ing, the danger of systems aredis- are two such models
Vent- spread of fire, cussed. used.
ing smoke and m.Test Chapter 5.0 Section 909.3
and fumes from ing Recommendations The special instruc-
air one floor to for testing of smoke tions and tests re-
condi- other or from control systems is quired by this sec-
tion- outside to provided along with tion shall be con-
ing other occu- the test procedures. ducted under the
(HVA pied building 1998 edition of same terms in Sec-
C) or structure NFPA 265 which tion 1704.
Eqip- (elaborated in incorporated tests
Nil
ment Annex C.17) for measurement of Section 909.18
smoke opticaldensi- Acceptance testing
k.Smo Section Section 3.3 Section 909.10.4 ty, rate of smoke Devices, equipment,
ke 3.4.11.2 Smoke dampers Automatic dampers, release and also total components shall be
damp- Mentions the used to protect regardless of the smokerelease. This individually tested.
ers provisions of openings in engi- purpose for which was a unique feature
dampers neered smoke con- they are installed which was notavail-
designed to trol systems are within smoke con- able in many other
close auto- classified and la- trol system, shall be international stand-
matically in belled in accordance listed and conform ards.
case of fire with UL 555S, to the requirements n.Smo No related section Section 909.5
thereby pre- Standard for Safety of approved recog- ke Shall comply with
venting Leakage Rated nized standards. Barri- 710 and constructed
Nil
spread of fire, Dampers for use in er to limit leakage
smoke and Smoke Control Con- areas exclusive of
fumes from Systems. struc- protected openings.
one floor to tion
another. o.Desi No related Section Section 909.9
gn Shall be based on
l.Smo Chapter 4.0 Section 909.4 Fire rational analysis
ke Design analysis of Emphasises on the Nil performed by the
Con- smoke control sys- requirement of ra- registered design
trol tems performed tional analysis sup- professional and
Sys- through design porting the types of approved by the fire
tem equations and net- smoke control sys- code official.
Anal- work computer flow tems to be em- p.Dete Section 3.4.5 Fire control systems
ysis program is elaborat- ployed, their meth- ction An automatic smoke providing control or
Nil ed. ods of operation, and detection system can output signals to
The design equa- systems supporting con- be used to automati- mechanical smoke
tions for analysis of them and method of trol cally activate a control systems shall
pressurised stair- construction to be sys- Nil zoned smoke- be equipped with a
wells and elevator utilized to be ac- tems control system. The control unit comply-
smoke control are companied by the location and zoning ing with UL 864 and
based on equations submitted construc- of smoke detectors listed as smoke
provided in tion documents. shall be carefully control equipment.
ASHRAE/SFPE, System to be de- analysed to achieve
Design of Smoke signed taking into a smoke detection
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system that will ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

reliably indicate the
correct zone.
This comparison and analysis has identified the differences
q.Engi No related section Section 909.20.4.2.1
between the National Building Code 2005, International Build-
neered Min. of 90 air
ing Code and National Fire protection Association Code
venti- changes required per
Nil NFPA 101 for Smoke control in Buildings. NFPA 92A and IBC
lation hour exhaust from
cover almost all types of systems used to address the impact of
Sys- vestibule and sized
smoke from fire, with mandatory provisions for the design,
tem for three vestibule
installation, and testing of both new and retrofitted smoke
simultaneously
control systems in buildings -- including openings and leakage
r.Stan Section 3.7 Section 909.20.6.2
through egress doors in stairways.
d by Whether standby is Mechanical vesti-
power required should be bule, shaft ventila-
considered for tion systems, and Both the IBC and NFPA 92A incorporate a holistic implemen-
smoke control sys- detection systems tation of Smoke control requirements within their scope, and
Nil
tems and their con- shall be powered by are revised on a regular basis for the same. The National
trol systems. approved standby Building Code, last revised in 2005, covers the Life and Fire
Generator required power system per Safety requirements in Part IV, but it does not have a separate
in 1 hr rated room Ch 27. section on Smoke Control systems in the building.Various
with 2 hr fuel sup- points in the comparison are touched in the code but such de-
ply. tails are not provided which will lead the designer to certain
s.Smo Section Covered by NFPA Section 910 design solutions for Smoke control in buildings.In the NBC the
ke and 3.4.12 204 M Smoke and heat Fire protection considerations for venting in Industrial build-
Heat Smoke vent- vents, or mechanical ingsis provided in Annexure D, but smoke venting forother
vents ing facilities smoke exhaust sys- occupancies is not considered at all.
for safe use of tems and draft cur-
exit shall be tains shall conform
automatic in to the requirements Looking at the importance of Smoke Control in buildings
action and of this section. there is an urgent need to include them as a separate section
natural draft inthe National Building Codeof India to result in a holistic
smoke shall approach that can be readily utilized by design professionals
utilize roof for incorporating Smoke control in buildings.
vents or vents
in walls etc. REFERENCES
Smoke ex- [1] National Building Code of India, 2005, Second Revision, Bureau of Indian
haust equip- Standards, New Delhi, ISBN 81-7061-026-5, Pg No. 26-32, 65-76.
[2] NFPA 92A, Recommended Practice for Smoke Control Systems, 2000 Edition,
ment to have
Massachusetts.
minimum
[3] International Building Code (IBC) 2006, Section 403.7.
capacity of 12
[4] Design of Smoke Management Systems, 1992 Edition, J.H. Klote and James A.
air changes
per hour. Milke;
[5] ASHRAE Publication. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air
t.Smo No related section. Section 909.20
Conditioning Engineers, Inc., 1791 Tullie Circle, N.E, Atlanta, GA 30329-2305.
ke where required by
[6] SFPE Publication. Society of Fire Protection Engineers, 7315 Wiscon-
proof Section 1022.10, a
sin Avenue, Suite 1225W, Bethesda, MD 20814. SFPE, Handbook of
enclo- smokeproof enclo-
Fire Protection Engineering, 1995.
sures Nil sure shall consist of
[7] Fire Safety in Buildings, Jain V.K, New Age International ltd. Publishers,
an enclosed interior
second edition, 2010.
exit stairway and an
open exterior balco-
ny or ventilated
vestibule.

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