Smoke control by mechanical exhaust or natural venting

Abstract

Smoke management in large-volume spaces, such as atria and covered malls, poses separate and distinct challenges from well-compartmented spaces. In particular, smoke control strategies using pressure differences and physical barriers described by Klote in Chap. 50, and NFPA 92, Standard for Smoke-Control Systems [1], are infeasible. Without physical barriers, smoke propagation is unimpeded, spreading easily throughout the entire space. The tall ceiling heights in many large-volume spaces pose additional challenges because of the production of substantial quantities of smoke and delayed detection times. However, on the positive side, the combination of large-volume space and tall ceiling height permit the smoke to become diluted and cooled as it spreads vertically and horizontally, thereby reducing the level of hazard posed by the smoke. Even so, there is still a need to ensure that dangerous concentrations of smoke are prevented in large-volume spaces.