1. Steve Williams, P.E. | Brian Olsen, P.E.
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

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 )
High-rise
Windowless Buildings – Prisons (IBC 408.8)
Smoke Protected Seating (IBC )
Healthcare
Stair Towers (IBC )
75 ft above fire department access

9. Part 1 Codes – Where Required
Atriums (2003 IBC /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 )
“ 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
1 MW at 7 Minutes
4.6 MW 260 Seconds

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 )
20 minute smoke barrier opening protection
Tenability (IBC )
10-feet smoke interface 2003 IBC
6-feet smoke interface 2006 IBC
Exhaust Capacity
Axisymmetric Plume (IBC )
Balcony Spill Plume (IBC )
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
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
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 )
1.5 X Belts Required for Design Duty
Minimum 2 Belts
Fan Temperature Ratings
Duct Specifications (IBC )
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 )
15 minute duration UPS for volatile memory BAS (IBC ).

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

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 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.