This document provides an overview of building fire and smoke control systems design and commissioning. It discusses relevant codes and guidelines, where smoke control systems are required, acceptable smoke control methods, and the components involved in design and commissioning. The design process requires a multidisciplinary team including architects, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, fire protection engineers, and the authority having jurisdiction. Commissioning is critical to prove system functionality and develop benchmarks for future testing.

1. An Overview of Building Fire and
Smoke Control Systems Design and Commissioning
presented to
Arkansas ASHRAE – ASHRAE Chapter 62
by
Steve Williams, P.E. | Brian Olsen, P.E.

2. Introduction - General
Over 35 years of design experience
Support staff of 350
Local Office
Wide variety of project types
#1 Retail firm in U.S.
(based on number of projects and square footage
Retail Construction Magazine-2006)
Specialty division of Henderson Engineers, Inc.
Staff of 30 fire protection professionals
Nationwide exposure
Significant fire alarm, suppression and
code consulting experience
HEI - Lowell
HEI – Kansas City

3. Introduction – Presentation Overview
– Overview of Smoke Control
• Engineered Smoke Control Systems
• Stairwell Pressurization
• Atrium Smoke Evacuation
– Lobbies
– Malls
• Health Care
– Anesthetizing Locations

4. Introduction – What is Smoke Control
– Passive vs. Active
• Passive
– ‘Smoke Resistant Construction’
– Smoke Barriers – 20 minute rated openings
• Active
– Pressurization Systems
» High-rise of old
» Healthcare
– Atrium Smoke Exhaust
» Exhaust
» Makeup Air
– Stair Towers
» Exhaust
» Makeup Air

5. Introduction – Why Smoke Control
– Inhalation injury from smoke and the noxious
products of combustion in fires may account
for as many as 75% of fire-related deaths in
the U.S.
– Key concept - minimize vertical smoke
migration. Passive smoke control is known
for poor maintenance. Unsealed
penetrations, terminations, etc.
– Basic concept of Smoke Control is to allow
occupants to reach a protected means of
egress
– Fire Department Operations Tool (arguable
purpose but fire departments will use it this
way – fire fighters control panel)
– Architectural Design Flexibility
Atlanta Marriot 47 Story
Fire Example

6. Introduction – Smoke Development

7. Part 1 Codes – Applicable Codes/Guidelines
– 2003 International Building Code (IBC), Section 909
– NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code
– NFPA 92A – Recommended Practice for Smoke Control
Systems
– NFPA 92B – Guide for Smoke Management in Malls,
Atria, and Large Areas
– ASHRAE 1999 HVAC Applications, Chapter 51
– ASHRAE Principals of Smoke Management Handbook
– Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
• Building Inspector
• Fire Marshall-State and Local

8. Part 1 Codes – Where Required
– Atriums (IBC 404.4)
– Enclosed Malls meeting Atrium definition (IBC 402.9)
– High-rise
– Windowless Buildings – Prisons (IBC 408.8)
– Smoke Protected Seating (IBC 1024.6.2.1)
– Healthcare
– Stair Towers (IBC 1019.1.8)
• 75 ft above fire department access

9. Part 1 Codes – Where Required
– Atriums (2003 IBC 404.1.1/404.4)
• “Atrium. An opening connecting two or more stories other than enclosed
stairways… [ lists all shaft scenarios]…, which is closed at the top and
not defined as mall…”
• “404.4 Smoke Control. A smoke control system shall be installed in
accordance with section 909.”
– Stair Towers (2003 IBC 1019.1.8)
• “1019.1.8 Smokeproof enclosures. … each of the exits of a building
that serves stories where the floor surface is located more than 75-feet
above the lowest level of fire department access or 30-feet below the
level of exit discharge … shall be a smoke proof enclosure or pressurized
stairway.”

10. Part 1 Codes – Smoke Control Methods
– IBC 909 does not specify a specific type of smoke control
system. Options include:
• Pressurization
– .05-inches water gauge across smoke barriers
• Airflow
– Air Curtain
• Exhaust
– Atriums

11. Part 1 Codes – Exhaust Method
– Prescriptive Design
• 5 MW Steady State Heat Release
• 20 Minute Duration
– Performance Design
• Rational Analysis – 2006 IBC
• Times 1.5 X Egress Time
• Fire based on fuel load
4.6 MW 260 Seconds
1 MW at 7 Minutes

12. Part 1 Codes – Exhaust Method
– Prescriptive Design
• 5 MW Steady State Heat Release (IBC 909.9)
– Rather large for some scenarios
• 20 Minute Duration (IBC 909.4.6)
– 20 minute smoke barrier opening protection
• Tenability (IBC 909.8.1)
– 10-feet smoke interface 2003 IBC
– 6-feet smoke interface 2006 IBC
• Exhaust Capacity
– Axisymmetric Plume (IBC 909.8.2)
– Balcony Spill Plume (IBC 909.8.3)
» In calculations air density must be adjusted for elevation and smoke
temperature. See ASHRAE Principals of Smoke Management
Handbook

13. Part I Codes – Exhaust Method Air Movement
– Exhaust
• Stratification
• Stack Effect
• Plugholling
– Makeup Air
• Natural or Mechanical
• 85% total exhaust is rule of thumb
• 200 fpm maximum velocity towards fire
– Distortion of smoke plume
• Introduce Below Smoke Layer

14. Part 1 Codes – Equipment Criteria
– UL Listings
• Fans
• Smoke Dampers
• Fire Alarm Control Panel
• BAS
– Fire Fighters Smoke Control Panel
– Fire Command Center?
– Equipment Temperature Ratings
• IBC 909.10.1
– Initiation as required by Rational Analysis
• Sprinklers
• Manual Pull Stations
• Properly Zoned Sprinkler Waterflow Detection

15. Part 2 Design – Smoke Control Design Team
– Specialty Engineered System
– Multidiscipline Effort
• Architect
• MEF
• Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

16. Part 2 Design – Architectural Component
– Smoke Control Objective
– Aesthetics
– Automatic Door Hardware
– Owner/Team
Communication
– Alternatives

17. Part 2 Design – Mechanical Engineering Component
– Makeup Air Configuration
– Exhaust Air Configuration

18. Part 2 Design – Mechanical Engineering Component
– Fan Specification (IBC 909.10.5)
• 1.5 X Belts Required for Design Duty
• Minimum 2 Belts
• Fan Temperature Ratings
– Duct Specifications (IBC 909.10.2)
• Withstand fire pressures and temperatures
• Field Tested to 1.5 X maximum design pressure
– Smoke Damper Approach
• Omit where air path is instrumental to system operation
– Fire Damper Approach
• Higher Temperature Heat Links
– BAS
• Positive Indication of Fan Status

19. Part 2 Design – Electrical Engineering Component
– Primary Power
– Secondary Power
• Dedicated Fire Resistant ATS/Secondary Power Room
• 60 Second Transfer Time (IBC 909.11)
• 15 minute duration UPS for volatile memory BAS
(IBC 909.11.1).

20. Part 2 Design – Fire Protection
Engineering Component
– Design Approach/Rational Analysis
• Design Fire
• Stack Effect/Hot Air Stratification
• Temperature/Wind Effect
• HVAC System Considerations
• Plugholling
• Duration of Operation (Egress Calculations)

21. – Automatic Sprinkler System
• Zone Coordination
– Fire Alarm and Detection System
– Firefighters Smoke Control Panel
– Special Inspections
Part 2 Design – Fire Protection
Engineering Component

22. Part 2 Design – Authority Having
Jurisdiction Component
– Interpretations
– Design Approval
– Acceptance Criteria

23. Part 3 Commissioning – General
– Why Commission
• Prove System Functionality
• Develop Benchmark for Future Testing
– Commissioning Concerns
• Outside Normal Services
• Educate Architects/Contractors/Owners Early
– Commissioning Team
• Owner
• Engineers
• AHJ
• Air Balance and Test Group

24. Part 3 Commissioning – Preparation
– Construction Completion/Partial
Occupancy
– Inspection
– Component Level Testing
• Functionality Test
– Pre-test
• Test System as a Whole
– Final Acceptance Test
• Presence of AHJ
• Smoke Test if Required
– Early AHJ coordination can avoids
this

25. Part 3 Commissioning – Smoke Testing
• Subjective - Smoke testing is extremely subjective although
it will be required in many jurisdictions. NFPA 92A
discusses smoke testing in detail. NFPA 92A (2002)
Section A.5.3.3.6. speaks to the limited value of smoke
testing.
• Hot/Cold Smoke Testing
• Limitations

26. Part 3 Commissioning – Smoke Testing (con’t)
• Smoke Bombs
– Superior Smoke
» Smoke Volume
» Discharge Time
• Smoke Generators
– Theatrical Units

27. Part 3 Commissioning – Air Balance Test Reports
– Air Balance Contractor
• Clear Scope
– Exhaust Fans
– Makeup Air Fans
– Makeup Air Inlets
• Capability to Adjust Equipment

28. Part 3 Commissioning – Initiation
– Fire Alarm
• Smoke Detection
• Manual Alarms
• Waterflow

29. Part 3 Commissioning – Initiation (con’t.)
– Fire Fighters Smoke Control Panel
• Status Indication
• Control

30. Part 3 Commissioning – Secondary Power
• Fans
• Controls
– Reboot

31. Questions?
Thank you.