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Introduction
Published in Dalia E. E. Khalil, Essam E. Khalil, Sprinklers and Smoke Management in Enclosures, 2020
Dalia E. E. Khalil, Essam E. Khalil
By definition, smoke control systems (or smoke management systems) are mechanical systems that control the movement of smoke during a fire. Most systems aim to protect occupants while they are being evacuated or being sheltered in place. The most common systems referenced in current codes are atrium smoke exhaust systems and stair-pressurization systems. In some specialized cases, zoned smoke control systems may be provided. These feature zones or floors that are either pressurized or exhausted to keep smoke from spreading. The International Building Code (IBC) contains mandatory provisions for smoke control systems. Designers can find National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA)’s detailed provisions in two nonmandatory documents, the Recommended Practice for Smoke Control Systems (NFPA 92A) and the Guide for Smoke Management Systems in Malls, Atria, and Large Areas (NFPA 92B).
Design Considerations, Risks, and Limitations
Published in Antony Wood, Ruba Salib, Natural Ventilation in High-Rise Office Buildings, 2012
A naturally ventilated building can challenge the operational aspects of mechanical smoke control systems and pressurized stair systems that generally rely on tightly closed façades in order to develop the pressure differentials and appropriate airflow patterns necessary to manage or resist the movement of smoke and fire within a tall building. While different jurisdictions have different requirements with regard to smoke management in tall buildings, some countries actually require operable windows as part of the fire engineering strategy. In some cases the smoke management strategy may dictate the natural ventilation solution. Despite the potential conflict between natural ventilation and fire safety objectives, the challenges can be adequately addressed through thoughtful design.
Fire protection
Published in John Knight, Peter Jones, Newnes Building Services Pocket Book, 2012
Most fatalities in a fire arise from the inhalation of smoke and associated toxic gases, rather than from the flames themselves. Since the presence of smoke inhibits the movement of people in a fire emergency it follows that smoke control is essential. Smoke ventilation is necessary for the following purposes: To protect the life of the occupants of the building by assisting them to escape to a safe place.To help the fire brigade to fight the blaze by keeping smoke away from the approaches to the fire.To protect the building structure by releasing heat from inside the building.
Gas characteristics and effectiveness of smoke control systems in elevator lobbies during elevator evacuation in a high-rise building fire
Published in Combustion Science and Technology, 2018
Yanqiu Chen, Junmin Chen, Zhijian Fu, Shu-Dong Jiang, Longfei Chen
In recent years, with increase of high-rise building fire accidents, smoke control in high-rise buildings has drawn more and more attention. High-rise building fires usually caused huge casualties and property losses due to its special structure. For example, the 24-story resident apartment Grenfell Tower fire in London killed at least 80 people on 14 June 2017 (Officials: Death toll up to 80 in London high-rise fire, final count could take months. [Online]]. As an efficient transportation method in high-rise buildings, elevator evacuation has attracted increasing attention in high-rise building fire research work (Kinateder et al., 2014; Siikonen and Hakonen, 2002; Zu-Ming et al., 2011), and it is one of the most complex and interesting areas in modern fire research. During the elevator evacuation, people need to get into the elevator car through the elevator lobby which is a temporary waiting area as well. Thus, the elevator lobby must be very safe to make sure the evacuation goes on smoothly. Guaranteeing the effectiveness of smoke control systems in the elevator lobby is a key problem to be resolved in elevator evacuation. Most smoke control systems installed in the elevator lobby prevent fire smoke from entering the lobby through maintaining appropriate pressure difference inside and outside the lobby. Thus, this pressure difference determines effectiveness of the smoke control system. Studying gas characteristics in the elevator lobby during elevator motion helps to understand the gas movement and find out an optimized pressure value which is favorable for smoke control during elevator evacuation.