SMOKE CONTROL IN

BUILDING
 PART I HP MORGAN FOR ONE STOREY BUILDING.

 PART II G.T. TAMURA FOR HIGH RISE & ATRIA.

 PART III NFPA (USEFULL INFORMATION)

 CONTENTS

 Chapter 1
: Scope
 Chapter 2
: Introduction
 Chapter 3
: Principles of Smoke Venting
 Chapter 4
: Smoke Venting System
 Chapter 5
: Smoke Venting System Operation
 Chapter 6
: Design of Smoke Venting System
 Chapter 7
: Design Criteria
 Chapter 8
: Methods of Calculation
 Chapter 9
: Installation Requirements of Smoke Venting
Systems
 Chapter 10 : Acceptance Test
 Chapter 11 : Maintenance and Inspection
 Chapter 12 : Relevant Literature
Chapter 1:SCOPE
 This report offers guidance for the design of smoked
and heat venting systems in sprinkled and
unsprinkled, single – storey buildings
 The provisions of the guide may, however, be used to
design smoke and heat venting systems of the top
storey of a multi – storey building.
 The guide applies to buildings with flat or sloped
roofs.
 The guide should be applied in conjunction with
applicable safety requirements issued by the Fire
Department.
Chapter 2: INTRODUCTION
 Fire generates large quantities of smoke, toxic gases
and heat. These products are hazardous to life and
property. Smoke spreads quickly inside building and
can fill a space within of building occupants. Rising
smoke usually contains toxic gases, especially in the
case of certain materials whose chemical
composition releases toxic gases during pyrolysis.
Heat release from fire raises the temperature inside a
building to unbearable levels. As fire continues to
grow and indoor temperature continues to rise, the
materials in the building become hotter and start to
release combustible vapors. This can cause a
flashover and increase fire size and intensity.
 To prevent smoke from spreading over the whole ceiling area
and to enhance smoke venting, smoke screens (vertical
barriers) are used to divide the ceiling area into compartments.
 Ceiling compartments limit the horizontal spread of smoke and
contain its harmful effects within the fire area.
 As more smoke rises from the fire, a hot layer of smoke
develops next to the ceiling, and creates appropriate conditions
for the operation of the smoke venting system. The venting
system is operated by temperature rise (fusible link) or by a
signal from a smoke detector.
 The volume and temperature of rising smoke
depends on fire intensity (heat release rate)
and the amount of air entrained into the rising
plume.
NOTE
 Smoke venting is a passive method of fire –
fighting and does not constitute an alternative
to fire –fighting by the Fire Department.
Smoke venting, however, helps limit the
extent of hazards associated with fire and
helps create suitable conditions for firemen.
 Chapter 3

PRINCIPLES OF SMOKE VENTING

 Hot gases rise vertically from the combustion zone
due to buoyancy.

 In doing so, surrounding cold air is entrained, mixes

with the rising stream of hot gases, and a smoke
plume is formed.

 When smoke reaches the ceiling, it spreads out

horizontally until blocked by a vertical barrier.

 A smoke layer starts to form next to the ceiling. It

progressively deepens as more smoke rises from the
combustion zone.
 When vents open, smoke escapes to the
outside, slowing the deepening rate of the
smoke layer. With a sufficient venting area,
the rate of smoke layer deepening is
arrested and even reversed. The rate of
discharge through a vent of a given area is
primarily determined by the depth of the
smoke layer and its temperature.
 Fresh air flows from the surrounding areas
to the combustion zone to replace the air
entrained in the smoke plume. Fresh air
inlets of sufficient area should be provided
to ensure that a sufficient quantity of
replacement air flows to the combustion
zone.
Chapter 4

 Smoke venting systems are classified into:

 Natural smoke venting systems.

 Mechanical smoke exhaust systems.
Selection of Natural or
Mechanical Smoke Venting
System
 Chapter 5

SMOKE VENTING SYSTEM OPERATION

Natural Smoke Venting System
 The venting system should operate automatically by a signal
from smoke or rate of rise recorded by heat detectors, and
open the vents to allow the smoke to escape.

 Fusible links should be rated for not less than 72°C and not
more than 120°C. Where sprinklers are installed, the minimum,
rated temperature should not be less than the sprinkler rated
temperature.

 Other methods of operation may be used to open the vents in

case of fire. Appropriate mechanical and electrical. In all cases,
approval of the responsible authorities should be obtained.
Mechanical Smoke Venting
System
 The exhaust fan should operate by a signal from a
smoke or rate of rise heat detector.

 The exhaust fan continues to operate until manually

stopped.

 If the venting system requires fresh air openings,

necessary provisions should be provided to open
them when the exhaust fan operates.
 Chapter 6

DESIGN OF SMOKE VENTING

SYSTEM
Design Parameters

 The following parameters should be

taken into consideration
 Fire Size and Intensity
 Smoke Layer Depth
 Clear Height
 Temperature of Smoke Layer
Fire Size and Intensity

 Fire size and intensity affects the rate of

smoke generation and heat release. A fire
that generates large quantities of smoke and
heat requires large vents. Fire size and
intensity, however, are a function of several
factors such as the thermal and chemical
properties of the burning materials and
stocking density.
Smoke Layer Depth

 The depth of the smoke layer should not be

greater than the depth of the smoke screens.
The smoke layer should not be allowed to
deepen to the extent of impairing visibility and
obstructing evacuation of building occupants.
Clear Height

 This is the vertical distance between the

building floor and the bottom of the smoke
layer. The clear height should not be less
than 2.5 m high.
Temperature of Smoke Layer

 The smoke venting system should be

designed to arrest smoke layer temperature
rise. The smoke layer should be allowed to
develop into a heat source that may threaten
the structural integrity of the building and
cause flash – over.
Chapter 7

DESIGN CRITERIA
 Smoke venting systems are designed to:
 Contain smoke within a layer next to the
ceiling
 Prevent it from spreading inside the building.
 Enables the building occupants to leave the
building safely
 Facilitates fire – fighting by firemen.
 Smoke venting is not an alternative to
firefighting and in no way does it render
firefighting unnecessary, nor is it an
alternative to sprinklers.
Smoke screens

 Smoke screens are a suitable and effective

means for blocking the lateral spread of
smoke and for developing a smoke layer that
is discharged through smoke vents
 The smoke venting system should be
designed so that the smoke layer
temperature does not exceed 500°C.

 Mentioned in NFPA (2003) 600°C.

MAXIMUM AREA

 The area of the smoke compartment should

be limited to 2000 m².
 A large number of relatively small vents are
preferred to small number of large area
vents.
Chapter 8

METHODS OF CALCULATION
 Smoke flow rate

Y (clear Height) P (Fire Perimeter )

θ Temperature Rise

Heat Release Smoke flow rate)

Define Fire Area
 The following recommendations on design fire size as related to the kind of
industry/process can be used for smoke venting purposes.

 Classification Fire Size Fire Area Fire Perimeter

 (m x m) (m²) A P (m)
 Group 1 3 x 3 9 12
 Group 2 4.5 x 4.5 20.25 18
 Group 3 6 x 6 36 24
 Group 4 9 x 9 81 36
 Group 5
 Group 5/1 3 x 3 9 12
 Group 5/2 4.5 x 4.5 20.25 18
 Group 5/3 6 x6 36 24
 Group 5/4 9 x 9 81 36
 Group 1
 Restaurants and cafes.
 Cement works.
 Butchers, slaughterhouses.
 Power stations.
 Creameries and wholesale dairies.
 Group 2
 Bakeries and biscuit manufacturers.
 Chemical works with little fire hazard
(otherwise, Groups 3 and 4).
 Motor car repair shops and large motor
garages.
 Motor vehicle and accessories manufacturers.
 Food and preserved food manufacturers.
 Machine factories including light metal
manufacturers.
 Group 3

 Cotton – spinning mills.

 Bleachers, dye works.
 Printing offices.
 Brush manufacturers.
 Tanneries, leather goods manufacturers.
 Cereal mills, grinding and peeling mills.
 Rubber and rubber articles manufacturers ( exclusive foam –
rubber).
 Plastic and plastic products manufacturers (exclusive foam).
 Cardboard, paper and paper products manufactures.
 Radio and television manufacturers.
Heat Release Rate

 The following burning data for fire incidents

involving difference types of materials can be
used for calculation purposes in smoke
venting system design:
 Contents

Heat Release (KW / m²)

Crated furniture 100
Vehicles, petrol, paint 260
Stacked timber 390
Books 93
Stacked cardboard 320
Stacked chipboard 86
Electrical goods 310
Cardboard cartons 620
Cardboard reels 210
Packaged goods 540
Table B.5.3(a) Maximum Heat Release Rates
from Fire Detection Institute Analysis

Product Approximate Values (Btu/sec)

 Medium wastebasket with milk cartons 100
 Large barrel with milk cartons 140
 Upholstered chair with polyurethane foam 350
 Latex foam mattress (heat at room door) 1200
 Furnished living room (heat at open door) 4000-8000
Calculate Mass Flow of Hot Gases
 Calculate mass flow of hot gases entering the smoke
(Hinkley, 1986):

Mf = 0.188 p y 3/2 (1)

Where

Mf = mass flow of hot gases entering

the smoke layer (kg/s)

P = fire perimeter (m)

Y = height of bottom of smoke layer

above floor (m)
Calculate Temperature Rise of Smoke Layer
Above Ambient Temperature

θ = Q f / M f Cp (2)

Where

 Qf = Af x qf =heat release rate (kw)

 Af =fire area (m2)
 Qf = heat release per unit fire area (kw/m2)
 Cp =specific heat of smoke = 1.01 kJ / kg (k)
CALCULATION PROCEDURE – NATURAL

Mf
Av Cv = {Tc² + (Av Cv/ AiCv)² To Tc / 2 g db θ To }½ (3)
Po
Where
Av = geometric vent area m2
Cv = hydrodynamic area coefficient
Po = density of air at ambient temperature = 1.2 kg / m3
Tc = temperature of smoke layer ( K.
= To + θ, where θ is °C
To = ambient temperature (K.)
db = thickness of smoke layer ( m )
Ai = area of fresh air inlet

 Area of vents should not be smaller than 1% of floor area.

Mechanical Smoke Exhaust System

 Calculate smoke exhaust rate from Eq. 4.

V = Mf Tc / Po To (4)

Where
V = exhaust flow rate (m3/s)

Po = density of ambient air (1.2 kg/m3)

To = ambient temperature (303 k.)
Tc = To + θ where θ is calculated from Eq. 2.

Calculate critical extraction volume from Eq. 5.

V cr = 2 (g db5 To θ ) ½
Tc

Calculate number of exhaust fans.

N = V/V cr
Add 10% extra or one unit; whatever is the greater .
 Conclusion
 Determine smoke zone
 Determine fire area and Perimeter
 Determine clear height h
 Determine smoke depth d
 Calculate mass flow rate kg/sec
 Calculate heat release Q KW
 Calculate temperature rise θ oC
 Select type of ventilator (natural or power)
 Calculate AV for natural or V for power
 Check minimum ventilator required
 Get total no of ventilator for each zone
 Determine smoke screen for each ventilator
 Check area or opening for fresh air required.
 Coordinate with fire alarm, HVAC and BMS
 SMOKE MOVEMENT
AND CONTROL

IN
HIGH-RISE BUILDING AND IN ATRIA
Smoke management system operation
 The fire needs to be detected early (before the
smoke level exceeds design level)
 The HVAC system serving large volume space and
communicating spaces need to be stopped if its
operation would effect the smoke system.
 Smoke should be removed from the large volume
space above the desired smoke layer.
 Sufficient makeup air should be provided to satisfy
the exhaust.
Makeup Air System.
 The simplest method of introducing makeup air into
the space is through direct openings to the outside
such as through doors and louvers, which can be
opened upon system activation. Such openings can
be coordinated with the architectural design and be
located as required below the design smoke layer.
For locations where such openings are impractical, a
mechanical supply system can be considered. This
system could possibly be an adaptation of the
building’s HVAC system if capacities, outlet grille
locations, and velocities are suitable.
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THANK YOU