FOREWORD A GUIDE TO SMOKE EXTRACTION

IN BUILDINGS
As thc3 pace and complexity of construction continues to
accelc?rate,the demand for advanced building materials and With a Passive Fire ProtectiornP e r s p m
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techniques expa.rids accordingly. The risk of fire and the control Page
and managemeli t of smoF:e is a critical issue which demands I
' 1.0 Introduction 2
the focused atterition of coristruction and building management
- isionals evetywnere. 2.0 When Is Smoke Extraction Necessary
3.0 Mechanics Of Smoke Production and Movement
t disastrousevents h, demonstrated,
4.0 Fundamentals Of Design
YI II U K ~I IUI UI I I develops
~ rapidly and 11I~r~eues
safe evacuation 4.1 Why Do It?
procedures, but also dramatically inhibits the easy access of 4.2 Determine Design Fire Size
life and property-savingfire fighting teams. Regardless of the building type, and to maximise 4.3 Determine Acceptable Smoke Layer Depth
ultimate effectiveness, smoke extraction should therefore be planned at the earliest possible 4.4 Identify Smoke Reservoirs
stage of building construci 4.5 Calculate Smoke Volume And Temperature
I
4.6 Calculate Minimum Number Of Extract Points
n:-
II11spublication reflects Prurr I ~ sL purpose in the Asia Pacific region to provide construction 4.7 Calculate Vent On Fan Sizes,
industry professionalswith essential and comprehensive technical informationfor the design ! Determine Fan Temperature Rating
and installation of modem passive fire protection systems. As such, it provides a clear and 4.8 Other Design Factors
logical approach which will assist architects,engineers, designers and consultantsto optimise 4.9 Fire Resisting Ductwork
4.10 ConstructionOf Fire Resisting Smoke E x ~ r a U~ Ut ~
buildirlg safety standards.
5.0 Design Guide For Different Building 7YPes
The a(~pruacrI ar lu cur ILer I ~ Soutlined in this puuacauu~
I closely follow recent British research
5.1 Multi-Storey Office And Simiktr Building
5.2 Warehouses
ana-, aevelopment
- - -,
in modem concepts of fire and smoke control. The up-to-date inform
5.3 Underground Car F'arks
containedhereinoutlines scientific and systematic methods of designing and installing effc
5.4 Atrium Buildings
smoke extraction systems. It is practical, hands-on information which we believe is ea 5.5 Shopping Malls
nent and manage.
3 Limitations
!half of the Promat InternationalHsla raclific Management Tez :e great pride in References
. - . .. . - . ... . A ---?dices
publ~shingthis comprehensive "Guide To Sm0Ke txtractlon In tlullalngs'' anu tnanK yc
your professional interest. Duct Sizing

, . .. Worked Examples

Louis; Lucas
Managing Director
Prom;at InternationalAsia Pacific
 1.0 INTRODUCTION / 2.1 SMOKE '\
EXTRACTION FOR LIFE SAFETY 4
being protected. In . .d, it merely exhausts
smoke which has migrated to the area of
smoke being extracted from that layer.
3.7 As certain types of extractionsystems
I
1.1 Smoke kills more people in fires than Smoke extraction for life safety purposes the extract opening under the influence of rely on the bouyancy of the smoke, there is a
heat, flames, or structural collapse. It is is of benefit in buildings where means of its own buoyancy. limit to the size of a "reservoir" from which
therefore being increasingly realised that escape to the open air cannot be achieved 3.2 The amount of smoke produced by a smoke can be extracted as smoke in an
occupant safety in a fire can be greatly within a short period of time and in which the fire is a function of its size (and heat output) overlarge reservoir may cool and lose its
improved by providing an efficient smoke means of escape could be severely ; and the path through which the smoke flows. buoyancy. Large areas may therefore require
extraction system. Moreover, such systems contaminated with smoke and become In particular,it is related to the size of the rising to be divided into separate smoke extraction
can limit property damage, both directly by impassable. Examples include shopping smoke plume (see Figure I ) , i.e, its perimeter zones of limited area.
reducingthe spread of smoke, and indirectly malls, atrium buildings, and high-risebuildings and height. This is because the turbulence
by providing better visibility and thus easier with phased evacuation (i.ewhen a proportion around the perimeter of the rising plume 4.0 FUNDAMENTALS OF DESIGN
access to the seat of the fire for fire fighters. of the occupants are expected to stay in the entrains the surrounding air as it rises. This
1.2 The purpose of this document is to building throughout the duration of a fire). air is then incorporated into the plume 4.1 WHYDO IT?
provide basic guidance and informationto the increasing the total volume of smoke but
designers of smoke extraction systems. It 2.2 SMOKEEXTRAC~ON reducing its temperature and concentration. The first question to be answered before
should be noted, however, that as buildings FORFIRE-FIGHTER
ACCESS 3.3 Conversely, a non-turbulent smoke attempting any smoke extraction design is
can differ widely, it is not possible to cover all layer, such as may be formed beneath a "what is the purpose of this system?". There
eventualities. The design of any smoke Buildings where either: horizontalceiling, does not entrain significant are three basic possibilities:
extraction system involves experienced i. Fire brigade access is difficult, quantities of air unless excessive horizontal
engineeringjudgment to tailor the system to e.g. basements, high-risebuildings, or travel occurs. 4.1.1 Life Safety
the building and specific design objectives. ii. rapid attack on a fire is desirable to . 3.4 As smoke production is largely related
reduce fire spread and property to fire size, it is obviously not directly related The system is to be designed to maintain
2.0 WHEN IS SMOKE damage, e.g. high value warehouses, to floor area nor to compartment volume tenable conditions on escape routes and in
EXTRACTION NECESSARY? will benefit from the provision of an except as far as this affectsfire size and height other areas throughout the period they are
appropriate smoke extraction system. of smoke rise. Simple approaches relating likely to be in use by occupantsofthe building.
Smoke extraction is one of the tools which extract requirements to a percentage of floor
the fire safety engineer may use to ensure 2.3 SMOKE
EXTRACTION TO CLEAR SMOKE area or number of air changes per hour 4.1.2 Fire fighting accesslproperty
adequate fire safety within a building.As such, AFTER A FIRE (SMOKE PURGING) cannot therefore generally be justified. (But protection
it should not be considered in isolation, but see 4.2.1 .)
as an integral part of the total package of fire Buildings where smoke clearance by 3.5 Smoke removed by a smoke The system is to be designed to increase
safety measures designed for the building. natural means may be diicult (e.g basements, extraction system must be replaced by an visibility for, and reduce heat exposure to,
Thus, the need for smoke extraction in any windowless buildings, and high-risebuildings equivalent volume of inlet or make-upair. This trained fire fighters. This allows earlier and less
building must be decided in context with the without openable windows) may require a air must enter at a sufficiently low velocity hazardous attack on the fire. Such systems
means of escape, compartmentation and mechanical smoke purging system. where it encounters a smoke layer. If it enters will help to reduce property damage by
active suppression systems in the particular at high velocity, it can induce turbulence and increasing fire brigade effectiveness.
circumstances of that building. In general 3.0 MECHANICS OF SMOKE mix air into an otherwise stable smoke layer
terms, however, smoke extraction should be PRODUCTION AND MOVEMENT and cause downward mixing of the layer. 4.1.3 Smoke purging
considered and may be found particularly 3.6 To maintain a smoke layer at a given

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useful in the following circumstances: 3.1 A smoke extract system does not height, the mass flow rate of smoke entering The system is to be designed to enable
"push" or "suck" the smoke from an area the layer must equal the mass flow rate of smoke to be cleared from a building after the

v
 fire has been brought under control. arriving at this size is by direct consideration sizes in this way. This approach is therefore approximated by a simple equation of the
If life safety is the only m: It is necessary to decide which of these not recommended. form,
of the building contents. If, for example, the
it is recommended that t is 4.2.6 A more realistic and theoretically Q = at2
or combination of the three objectives (if any) largest possible fire source in a fire
necessary to ensure saf Where
is to be achieved before commencing a compartment is an oil bathwhich is separated . sound approach is to assume a growing fire.
should be allowed for dek
design. However, naturally a system designed from other combustibles,the design fire size The calculations necessary can, however, be Q = heat output of the fire (kW)
an alarm and for queuing s
for life safety will usually provide a secondary is based on the oil bath. I simplified byeither picking a fire size expected a = fire growth constant
If the system is to be
fighting access rather than r benefit in terms of fire-fightingand property 4.2.3 More often than not, however, no after a set time interval - for example, related t = time since ignition (seconds)
it is recommended that t protection functions. obvious single fire source and therefore fire to expected escape times - or choosing the
The fire growth constant varies with the
brigade response time. l T size presents itself. A frequent strategy then fire to be expected just before flashover.
type of materials present and the configuration
slowest expected responsc 4.2 DETERMINE DESIGN FIRE SIZE is to relate design fire size to sprinkler The latter approach is adopted in NFPA
of the fire room (see Table 4.2.6). Whilst no
of the alarm. operation. Experience has shown that fires 204M(2'.The designer should refer to the
two fires are ever identical, four basic
In both the above casc It is a truism that all fires start small and in "normal" combustiblesrarely exceed a heat tables in NFPA 204M to determine the area
categories of fire growth have been defined
that the alarm will be aut grow larger,As pointed out in 3.2, the amount output of 0.5MW/m2.In sprinkleredpremises of natural ventilators or the mechanical
which are considered to form a good basis
following operation of an 2 ofsmokeproduceddependstoalargeextent it is also frequently assumed that the exhaust capacity required.
for design purposes.
detection system (see4.8.2: on the size of the fire. However, it is simply maximum fire area will be that area contained If adopting the former approach, it is
If there is doubt about what rate of fire
of calculation, operation of not practical to design a smoke extract within the sprinkler array, and that maximum recommended that fire sizes be based on
growth to assume, en towards a faster (i.e.
usually be taken as occurri~ system to cope with any size of fire. Careful fire perimeter will be that of the array (e.g. what is commonly known as the T squared
"worst case") fire or seek expert advice.
4.2.7 In Table 4.2.7 son consideration should therefore be given to with a 3m x 3m sprinkler array, maximum fire fire. Work by the National Bureau of
Assuming such a fire is circular and has a
sizes are given. Use these I determine a fire size for design purposes.This perimeter = 3+3+3+3=12m).Followingwork Standards in the USA based upon a series
heat output of 500kW/m2,the area of the fire
approaches given above is cannot simply be the largest possible fire as at the British Fire Research Station, this of fire tests and analysis of real firesemhas
is thus Q/500 and its perimeter =
In particularit should be I this will invariably be a post-flashover,fully- approach has been shown to be statistically provided a basis for evaluating the growth of I

for that given for car par\. developed fire involving a whole fire justified for shopping malls where a 12m various types of fire which can be
compartment. Smoke extraction systems perimeter is generally used for design
cannot generally be designed to cope with purposes.
such fires. 4.2.4 If there are no sprinklers and no
4.2.1 One case where fire size is not obvious fire centres, choosing a fixed design TABLE 4.2.6
T SQUARED FIRE SCENARIOS
TABLE 4.2.7 relevant is a smoke purging system as fire size becomes unrealistic. It must be
Notional Fire Typical Equivalent Fire Growth Time Fire To Grow
SPRINKLERED BUlLDll described in 4.1.3. In such systems where expected that, barring fire brigade To 1055kW
Description Materials Constant
the rate of smoke extraction is not critical, a intervention,the fire will continue to grow until (a) (approx. 1MW)
Perimeter (m) H
"rule-of-thumbnapproach can be adopted. flashover occurs. But as already pointed Slow 0.0029 600s
Car Parks 13.5 Vent area equal to 2.5% of floor area will out, asmoke extract system cannot generally
Offices 12.0 usually be considered sufficient if natural be expected to cope with post-flashover Moderate Cotton/polyester 0.012 300s
cross-ventilation can be achieved. If not, conditions. sprung mattress
Shops 12.0
powered ventilation may be desirable. A 4.2.5 A simple approach sometimes used
Warehouses 18.0 Fast Fullmailbags, plastic foam, 0.047 150s
design based on six air changes per hour is is to assume that unsprinklered fires can be 1
stacked timber pallets, 4.5m
Hotels often used. If this is impractical the choice of expected to be double the size of sprinklered
(publicareas) 12.0 high stacked cartons
a lower figure will not be critical. fires. Thus an unsprinklered shop can be I
Basement 4.2.2 In life safety and fire fighting systems, expected to suffer a 17m perimeter, 10 MW Ultra-fast Methylalcoholpool fire, fastest 0.19 75s
service areas however, choice of an appropriate design fire fire. It should be not.4 however,that there is
(Lony Parks) 15.0
'-llrning upholstered furniture
Is essential. The most satisfactory way of no sound theoretic t as is for choosing fire
rn
 If life safety is the only major consideration, suggested for unsprinklered buildings have Suggested minimum heights for this purpose (reservoir) it will tend to cool, losing its
it is recommended that t is taken as the time insufficient justification to form a sound basis are: buoyancy.This may result in the smoke layer
necessary to ensure safe escape. Time of a smoke extraction design. mixing into the clean air below. Maximum
should be allowed for delayed response to 4.2.8 A similar approach may be adopted
Single-storey compartments - 2.5m suggested reservoir sizes (appropriate to
an alarm and for queuing at doorways. Upper storey of two-storey single storey compartment shopping mall
in sprinklered buildings where the maximum
If the system is to be designed for fire fire size is assumed to be at the time at which compartments (e.g. shopping malls) - 3.0m design) are:
fighting access rather than means of escape, sprinklers activate. A greater smoke layer height is required 2,000 m2- natural extraction
it is recommended that t is taken as fire on the upper of two storeys because such 2,600 m2- powered extraction
brigade response time. This should be the smoke tends to be cool and the base of the
slowest expected response following raising smoke layer less well-defined. The above figures should be halved for
of the alarm. 4.3.3 If the smoke extract system is multi-storey compartments.
In both the above cases, it is assumed 4.3.1 Having decided upon a design fire, designed for fire fighter access only, a lower Smoke curtains can be used to limit the
that the alarm will be automatically given it is then necessary to determine an smoke base than that recommended above horizontal spread of smoke. These can either
following operation of an automatic smoke acceptable smoke layer depth. As pointed may be acceptable. Recommended smoke be permanent features (e.g. glazed smoke
detectionsystem (see4.8.2). For the purpose out in 3.2, the amount of smoke produced layer levels for this purpose are 2m for lower screens) of a building or retractable dropping
of calculation, operation of the system can depends not only on the frie but also on or single-storey and 2.5m for upper storey. into position on operation of the alarm
usually be taken as occurring at t = 0. the height of rise of the smoke plume. This 4.3.4 In other designs, particularly those system. In either case, they must extend
4.2.7 In Table 4.2.7 some suggested fire is the height to the smoke layer base (see primarily related to property protection, beloidthe base of the smoke layer. Often the
sizes are given. Use these a& if none of the Figure 1). smoke layer depth cannot be determined in maximum practical depth of such curtains
approaches given above is more suitable. relation to clear layer height beneath the or screens determine smoke layer depth
In particular it should be noted that except Smoke Production Depends On The smoke. In such designs, the usual criterion rather than vice versa.
Height Of The Smoke Plume
for that given for car parks, the fire sizes is to establish the smoke layer depth at a
level that prevents smoke flowing into an 4.5 CALCULATE
SMOKE VOLUME & TEMPERATURE

I adjoiningarea of the building(seefor example

Smoke layer Figure 2). 4.5.1 Single storey compartments
Smoke layer

TABLE 4.2.7 Turbulence

entrains 4.4 /DENTIFY SMOKE RESERVOIRS 'An equation which can be used to relate
SPRINKLERED BUILDINGS clean air
smoke productionto fire size and plume rise

Car Parks
Perimeter (m)

13.5
Heat Output (MW)

lnlet air IIII+

C more smoke

+IIII lnlet air

1
If smoke is held in too large an area

Smoke Layer Base Set To Prevent Smoke

is

Where
M = 0.19PyW

Offices 12.0 Flowing Into Adjoining Area M = mass flow rate of smoke (kg/s)
Shops 12.0 5.0
Figure 1
A A P = perimeter of fire (m)
y = height to base of smoke layer (rn)
Warehouses 18.0 10.0 Smoke reservoir
4.3.2 The higher the smoke layer base,
Hotels the greater the plume rise and the greater The above equation is not theoretically
(public areas) 12.0 2.5
the quantity of smoke which needs to be Height of justifiable but is simple to use and generally
lowest opening
Basement extracted. However, obviously the smoke provides conservative results. Other more
service areas flow from A to B
(Low Parks) 15.0 7.0 layer base should be above the heads of accurate equations are available but generally'
1 people trying to escape beneath it. rig11n72 I involve more complex calculations.
v
 The temperature 9 of this smoke is given I With large design fires and small plume smoke extract system or use sprinklers to dilution of smoke which occurs in these
Q heights, y, calculated values of smoke reduce the heat output of the fire and smoke circumstances can significantly reduce the
above ambient, where Q = design
by MC, temperature using the above formulae can temperatures. hazard.
fire size in kW, and C, is the specific heat be excessive. With high smoke temperatures
of gas. (say above 300°C) it is reasonable to assume 4.5.2 Two and multi-storey
The volume of the smoke, V, is then Multi-Storey Plume Can Entrain
that some of the energy of the fire is lost to compartments Very Large Quantities of Air
given by : the building's structure. A common rule of
thumb is to assume that one-third of the Where a smoke layer resulting from a fire
energy of the fire is lost in this way. on one level flows from that level and then
Where To= ambient temperature in O K At this stage the possibility of dangerously rises vertically to form a smoke layer at a
Assume ambient temperature = 20°C high smoke temperatures should b e higher level it entrains more air and the total
(293K) unless local circumstances dictate considered. If people are expected to escape volume of smoke can be greatly increased.
otherwise. beneath a smoke layer, then, layer (See Figure 3).
Table 4.5.1 gives values for smoke temperature above 200°C should not be This problem can be particularly significant
production, smoke temperature and smoke tolerated. However, in a sprinkler controlled in atrium buildings making it difficult to
volume for different smoke layer depths and fire, such temperatures would not be maintain a smoke free layer more than three
fire sizes using the above formulae. anticipated. Therefore either redesign the storeys above the fire floor. However, the

TABLE 4.5.1
SMOKE PRODUCTION A N D S M O K E TEMPERATURE
FOR VARYING FIRE SIZES

Scenario Fire Perimeter Fire Output Height to Smoke Smoke Smoke

Smoke Base broduction Temperature Volume
P Q Y M q V
(m) (MW) (m) (kgfs) ( "C above) (m3/s)
ambient)
Sprinkleredoffice
TaMe 4.5.1 gives values of :
Sprinklered shop M = smoke production in kg/.
8 = smoke temperaturein 'C aboveambient
Sprinklered V = smoke volume in m3/.
warehouse
These are given for values of:
Sprinklered hotel
(public area) y = height to smoke layer in m between 2
and 3.5m
Sprinklered basement P = perimeter of fire in m between 10 and
sewice area
(lony park) 20m
Unsprinklered car ' Q = heat output of fire in kW between 1000
park 1 and 1OOWkW
 .-

r,
4.6 CALCULATE
MINIMUM NUMBER 1 4.7 CALCUUTE VENT OR FAN SIZES. DETERMINE First calculate vent area Av from : i) If natural inlet is provided (i.e. doors,
OF EXTRACT POINTS 1 FAN TEMPERATURE RATING MTO.~ (288 + T)0.5 windows) these open automatically on
AV = operatipn of the extract system.
54(d0)'.~
. .
4.6.1 If an attempt is made to extract too 4.7.1 Powered extract ii) Inlets are sited such that no stagnant
Where M = mass flow of smoke (kg/.)
much smoke through one vent the result can areas aye formed and clean air "flushes
B = smoke temperature above
be that a "hole" is punched through the Required fan sizes are those necessary through" all areas. Use ducted mechanical
ambient OC
underlying smoke layer and fresh air and a to remove the volume of smoke calculated in air inlets if there are insufficient natural inlets.
T = 288 + B
reduced quantity of smoke is extracted. 4.5. Pressure loss adjustment should be iii) Inlets are sited away from extract points.
d = distance between centre line
This occurs at a critical extract rate provided for in such calculations. (See iv) lnlet velocities are either kept below
of vent and base of smoke
given by : Appendix 1 for details). In most cases, the 3m/s (naturalinlets) or fan power is increased
layer (m)
fans should be rated to operate at the to compensate for the increased resistance
P(g x d 5 x 8 x
Mui, = temperature To + 8 as calculated in 4.5. This equation assumes that inlet area of air flow through the inlets. In any case, inlet
Tc It should be noted that when smoke is (Ai) = vent area (Av) velocities through doorways or on escape
Where being extracted from two or more If this is not the case, guess a different routes should not exceed 5m/s as greater air
interconnected storeys, (e.g. shopping malls, value ofAv (call it av) and recalculateAv from speeds than this can hinder escape.
M,,, = critical extract rate m"/s see 5.5), the highest smoke temperatures will M T ""288(av/Ai)? + TJo5 Where inlets (for example doors) cannot
g =9.81m/s2 occur with fire on the highest storey. Av = be sited at least 1.5m below the smoke layer,
54(dB)05
d = distance between centre line However, if sprinklers are installed it can either a smoke curtain or a horizontal shelf
of extract point and base of be assumed that they will cool the smoke. In Continue until a value is found such that should be used to prevent inlet air distorting
smoke layer (m) such cases, it is generally safe to assume a Av = av. This is the required vent area in m2. the smoke layer. (See Figure 4). .
NB. The above simplified procedure assumes that both
To = ambient temperature K maximum smoke temperature of 250°C.
the coefficient of discharge of the ventilators and the
Tc = temperature of smoke K It should also be noted that fan coefficient of entry of the inlets = 0.6.
8 = temperature of smoke above performance is related to air density which is Use of Curtain or Shaft to Prevent Inlet
iv) A simple alternative to the above Air Dist~lrbingSmoke Layer .
ambient "C reduced at elevated temperatures. Seek
p = 7.3 for a vent near a wall and advice from fan suppliers.
iterative method, taken from ref 29, is
to use the following equation:
Curtain, Base ol smoke reservoir -,
1.8for vent distant from a wall If the fans are connected to the extract
points by ductwork then they should be rated A, M T 3m (min)
4.6.2 The minimum number of extract to take account of frictional pressure losses [(2916~,~d~)-(288~~~)10' lnlet velocity slowed, thus
smoke velocity not disturbed
points is therefore the number which ensures: in the ductwork as discussed in Appendix 1.
4.8 OTHER
DESIGN FACTORS

i) M ,, is not exceeded, and 4.7.2 Natural ventilation

ii) that no smoke needs to flow more than 4.8.1 lnlet air
30m to an extract point; (i.e. no part of the Sizing natural ventilation is more complex Shelf 7 Base of smoke reservoir
7
smoke control zone is more than 30m from than sizing fans. For a smoke extraction system to operate
an extract point) greater distances than this Either: effectively, make-up air must be provided to
can cause excessive cooling of the smoke
and therefore mixing betweenthe smoke layer
i) Follow in its entirety the method of
NFPA 204M or
replace the mass of smoky gases removed.
lnlet air should enter at low level, generally
- smoke velocity not disturbed

and the underlying air. These extract points ii) Use Nomogram 3 of Ref. 3. or at least 1.5m beneath the designed smoke
should be spaced evenly over the smoke iii) Use the following iterative procedure layer. It should be ensured as far as possible
reservoir. taken from Ref. 4. that : Figure 4
 4.8.2 System Operation operation there should be provided a fire ventilation ductwork passes through a fire- I is clearly inappropriate and the only solutions
fighters over-ride switch or mechanism. resisting compartment barrier, it is necessary I are either the construction of ductwork from
A powered smoke extract system for to ensure that both fire and smoke cannot fire-resisting materials or the fire protection
means of escape should operate 4.8.3 Ductwork readily spread from one area of the building of steel ductwork.
automatically on operation of: to another via the ductwork.
Fire Resistance Requirements
i) a smoke detection system that is Ductwork used for smoke extract For normal ventilation ductwork, one of for Ductwork (Section1
designed to recognized standards purposes must be of a standard at least the following three methods may be used to
(e.g. BS5839 153 and, if fitted, capable of withstanding the anticipated limit fire spread :
ii) sprinkler system via a water flow switch, smoke temperature as calculated in Section
i) Fire protection of steel ductwork
Fire fighting and smoke purging systems 4.5. If the ductwork passes through a fire-
ii) Construct duct from proprietary fire-
may be operated as above or manually by resisting bamer it must also be capable of
resisting material
the fire brigade. satisfying the fire resistance requirements.
iii) Installsmoke or temperatureoperated
If false alarms are likely to be a nuisance Experience has shown that standard
fire dampers in ductwork where
and the system is not required for life safety, galvanised steel ductwork (e.g. to HVAC
compartment boundary is crossed.
operationof the system by a smoke detection specification DW142 183 can resist relatively
(Not suitable for smoke extract
system can be on the cross-zoned, "double hightemperatures up to 400°C without failure,
ductwork.) If fire ocws h mnpatfment hwmparlmen(B liremslsfameto
-knock"principle, i.e. twodetectorsindierent provided that no aluminium rivets, A. lire resistance lo kmml fire M d lire required aloog duct
detector zones need to operate before the combustible seals or low temperature I In the case of smoke extract or make-up required along ducl length a-b.c lengtha-b-cto pmventheentaing
d, to prevent lire breaking into uxnpatimenl A or breaking oul In
system operation. connectors are used. Such ductwork is air supply ductwork the use of fire dampers compartmentsB or C. ll fire ocurs cwnpartmenl C

. If requiredfor life safety, naturalventilators therefore generally suitable for use as smoke Fire-resistingconstruction
IFire-resistingductwork
should also be operatedby a smoke detector extract ductwork in sprinklered buildings Maintaining Fire Compartmentation
Fire & smoke-rated dampers
with Fire-Resisting Ductwork (Section)
system. Otherwise heat detectors which are and where high smoke temperatures are
Staircase
often linked to the ventilator will be not anticipated. Fire Resistance Requirements
satisfactoly. If smoke temperatures above 400°C for Ductwork (Plan)
If smoke curtains are used they should are anticipated, fire-resisting ductwork will
automatically a c t i i e 4.e. lower) on operation be required to be used (see 4.9).
of the smoke detectionsystem. They should be Fire-resistingductwork is also required to
"fail safe" i.e, power failure should result in them maintainfire-resisting compartmentation.
falling hto their active (i.e. down) posrtion. A general requirement exists worldwide to
Smoke extract fans should have a ensure that a building is provided with a
duplicatepowersupply,Powerandinstrument level of structural fire protection and
cabling supplyingthe fans should be of a type compartmentation such that the building is
resistant to fire, e.g. mineral insulated metal capable of surviving a full burn out even if a
sheathed cableto BS6207: Part 1 Ror category sprinkler system is installed. If fire occurs in cornpartmen1 -men1 A or breaking out h
A. fire r~slstancelo WM! lire comparlmenl C. II fire occurs In
CWZ cable to BS 6387 171. Alternatively, This concept allows for the possibility of requiredalong &lcl length a.b-c lo comoarlmenl C, hre resklance to
prevent lire breaking into Mfire required along duct
cabling should be isolated from other the sprinklers either failing to operate MmDarlmenls B or C. 11 fire W u s length b-c to m t fin entehg
effectively due to poor maintenance, hCony)artmt B. fimresistamto compartment A or breaking into
services by running through a fire rated axlcrnnl fire required along dtel cwnpartmenl 6.
enclosure. equipment failure or the inability to control an tmgh n.b to prevent fire entering
IFire-resistingconstruction
In all cases, in addition to automatic unexpected and rapidly growing fire. Fire-resistingdt l-'.vork IFire compartment boundary
Therefore, if a ,eke extract or any b-a Fire & smoke-r dampers IFire-resistingductwork

rn
 l
I equal to the compa~rmentthrough which it collapseson the outside of the furnace, necessary to satisfy the insulation criterion
passes; a resistanceto an internal fire equal in such a manner that the duct no for a fire inside the duct in the following
The fire resistance of the duct is required to the compartment which it serves. (See longer fulfils its intended function. circumstances:
for three reasons (see figures 5, 6 & 7): Figure 9). The presence and formation in the test i) The duct passes through a circulation
i) To prevent fire inside the duct breaking
Fire Resistance of Ductwork Related specimen of cracks, holes or other openings or means of escape area where it is
out into another fire compartment.
to Fire Resistance ofBuilding (Section) outside the furnace through which flames or hazardous to the escape of people from the

1
ii) To prevent fire outside the duct
hot gases can pass shall constitute lntegrity building and/or
breaking into the duct and hence
failure. ii) The duct is or could come into contact
entering another fire compartment,
e.g. via an inlet grille. Upper storey-2 hours fire resistance lnsulation failure is deemed to have with combustible materials (see Figure 10): .
occurred when the temperature rise above It is particularly important to ensure that
iii) To prevent fire outside the duct
breaking into the duct and then
r
Ir initial ambient temperature in the laboratory sound or thermal insulation,materials to
Basement storey-4 hours on the unexposed surface of the test ductwork will not be raised to ignition
breaking out into ?nother fire fire resistance
specimen outside the furnace exceeds either temperature as a result of heat conduction
compartment. /
0 ~ r w~i i e1d lo have i) 140°C as an average value or through the ductwork.
In most cases the duct will be requiredto 4 Ihm~rsresislance lo

provide fire resistance to both an external and

fig1 !re 9 internal lire. 2 hours
rosalnnro to #?wlnnnI
ii) 180°C as a maximum value read by I

any surface thermocouple. 4.9.3 Fire Stopping

an internal (i.e. inside the duct) fire.
There are occasions, however, when
resistance will only be required to fire inside
IFire compartment boundary
Fire-resisting ductwork
I""

A specific requirement for smoke extract

ducts is that: the duct must retain minimum In all cases where smoke extract
1
4.9.1 Performance Criteria for
75% of its cross sectional area throughout ductwork passes through a fire-resisting
the duct. (See Figure 8). Fire-resisting Ductwork
the duration of the fire test. 1 barrier, fire stopping systems should be /:
Fire Resistance Requirements
British Standard476: Part 24: 1987 details
provided around the duct to maintain the full 1"
for Ductwork (Section) 4.9.2 lnsulation fire-resistance of the barrier. As steel
the 'Methods for determining the fire i
ductwork expands when heated, fire :
resistance of ventilation ducts, smoke and In some cases even when a duct needs
fire resisting shaft stopping around uninsulatedsteel ductwork ;
kitchen exhaust ducts'. The performance to be fire-resisting it is not always a need for it ,
needs to be capable of accommodating this
criteria are Stability, Integrity and to fully comply with the insulation criterion of expansion.
Insulation. the fire resistance test. However, it is Particular care should be taken where fire- ,
A fire resisting ductwork is deemed
Insulation Requirements resisting ductwork is to be used on one side
to have failed Stability if one of the for Ductwork (Section)
Means of escape of a firg'c~m~artment boundaryand non fire-
stairway following occurred:
resisting steel ductwork on the other. Buckling
i) a fire resisting ductwork inside the or collap!se of the non fire-resisting ductwork
Fgure 8
furnace exposed to external fire (i.e.
Fire compartment boundary adjacent to the fire-resisting wall or floor can
called duct A in the standard)collapses
IFire-resistingductwork result in gaps
- . around the wall or floor
in the furnace in such a manner that
penetration, thus allowing fire spread.
Where such occasions are identifiedthen the duct no longer fulfills its intended
ing combustible cabling
ductwork resistant only to fire inside the duct function. 4.10 CONSTRUCT~ON
OF THE FIRE-RESISTING
can be used. Means of escape Cable
ii) either length of duct A or length of fire staiway EXTRACT
SMOKE DUCTS
The standard of fire resistance required rated ductwork exposed to internal
Figure 10
of a duct may also vary. The duct should and external fire 0.e. called as duct B Fire resistanceof smoke extract ductwork
Fire compartment boundary
normally have a resistance to an external fire in the standard) within the furnace I
Fire-resisting ductwork can be achieved in two ways :
 In cases of doubt, the fire resistance of manufacturers.A typical method of fixing fire- shown in Table 4.10.6 are not
ductwork should be demonstrated by testing resisting boards to a large duct is shown in exceeded.
The steel ductwork may be enclosed by to an appropriate test such as BS 476: , Figures 11.
a fire-resisting, non-combustible enclosure Part 24 "1. TABLE 4.10.6
(for example constructed from fire-resisting In practice, fire-resisting ductwork can be 4.10.4 Fire-resisting board MAXIMUM STRESS IN
boards)which providesthe necessary degree constructed in three ways : UNPROTECTEDHANGERS
of fire resistance. In multi-storey buildingsthe i) galvanised steel with additional If it is necessary to protect ductwork with
enclosure effectively forms a fire-resisting Required Fire Resistance Maximum
protection fire resistingboard then it is often more cost-
Stress
protected shaft. (See Figure 5). ii) fire-resisting boards (e.g. Calcium effective to construct the ductwork entirely
Minutes N/mm2
No essential safety services should be silicate) from this material. Designers are advised to
included in smoke extract ductwork contact board manufacturersor independent
enclosures if they will be adversely affected
iii) proprietary fire-resisting ductwork
organisations for details of tested designs.
30 18 1!
60 10 . !
by duct temperatures. 4.10.3 Galvanised steel with One such design which can provide 4 hours
90 10 i
additional protection fire resistance is shown in Figure 12.
4.10.2 Fire-resisting ductwork 120 10
180 6
This is probably the most common form 4.10.5 Proprietary systems !
The ductwork itself provides the 240 6
necessary fire resistance either inherently or of fire-resisting duct construction. Fire
resistance up to 4 hours both to internal There are several proprietary ductwork I
by virtue of a protective cladding. I
and external fire can be achieved provided systems specifically designed for use as If higher loads are applied, it will become j
Protection of Steel Ductwork smoke extract ducts. The suppliers of these necessary to protect the hangers with an
with Fire-Resisting Board sufficient thickness of fire-resisting insulating
material is applied and fixings are adequate. , systems should be contacted for further appropriate thickness of fire-resistingmaterial
Thread rod , 12mm thick
Designers are advised to follow the details. to ensure that the hangers do not reach the
with hexgonal \
, Calcium silicate
nut In all the abovecases,the designer should critical temperatureat which they are unable
recommendations of fire protection
ensure that appropriate test data and/or to support the weight of the fire-resistingduct
Ductwork Constructed from assessments are available from an system.
Fire-Resisting Board
independentlaboratory to justify the particular
Calcium silicate
strips 100mm steelwire form of construction, its suitability for the 5.0' DESIGN GUIDE FOR DIFFERENT :

c 9 wide 7 P p l e s 28llO/l particular location and the required fire BUILDING TYPES
'Support section resistance period. .
The general guidelines given in Section 4
\I/ ~ i l steel
d ventilation
duct
4.10.6 Hangers above are applicable to all building types.
However, more detailed design guidance is
Deta17at wall c o n n e c h 17mm lhlek
To maintain its fire-resisting stability and given below on the following building types: I
integrity, it is necessary that fire-resisting
ductwork should not fail. To ensure this, i) hulti-storey offices and similar
hangers should be designed such that they buildings
can support the weight of the duct and any ii) Warehouses
/
/ Calcium silicate
spacers 5Ox80mm
Mild steel ventilation
duct Figore 1 1
silicate board
additional applied fire protection under fire
conditions. This can be achieved with
unprotectedsteel t ars if the stress limits 1
iii) Underground car parks
iv) Atrium buildings
v) Shopping malls
 -- .

5.1.5 The result(I> [hat the fire storey will I Class 11, Ill, or IV dampers are recommended
\
If preparing a design for one of these before all persons are able to leave the
building types, follow the procedures in building can be in excess of 60 minutes. tend to depressurize in relation to other for all other dampers. The use of high leakage
Section 4 but modify it as appropriate as 5.1.2 It is therefore necessary to ensure storeys so restricting the spread of smoke to dampers leading to smoke extract ductwork,
indicated below. that smoke does not spread from the fire floor other storeys. Instead,airwill tend to leak into i.e. Class Ill or IV, means that more air will
1 to other still-occupied areas and that the fire storey from other storeys, from leak into the smoke extract ductwork
5.1 Multi-storey office and similar staircases which provide means of escape pressurized and unpressurizedlift shafts, and through'thesedampers, and therefore larger
buildings and access for fire fighters remain free of in particular from pressurized staircases. ductwork and/or fans will be required to
smoke. The first of these objectives can be 5.1.6 The following design points should maintain the required extraction rate on the
5.1 . I In a multi-storey building it is achieved using a smoke extract system, the be noted : fire floor. The temperature rating of the
frequently impractical to construct staircases second using a staircase pressurization i) The system is not designed to provide a dampers will depend on expected smoke
capable of evacuating all floors of the building system. Together they form the smoke control smoke free layer on the fire storey. It is temperaturesand fire resistancerequirements
immediately in the event of fire. Instead, it is system for the building. assumed that means of escape is adequate (see 5.1.8).
usual to carry out a "phased evacuation" 5.1.3 Pressurization is beyond the to enable escape from a storey on fire to a vii) In tall multi-storey buildings where
whereby the fire floor and the one above are scope of this guide, but the smoke extract protected staircase without the need for external wind pressures can be very high, :
evacuated immediately and other floors are system can be designed according to the smoke control. smokeqcontrolsystems will be ineffective if '
evacuated later on the advice of fire marshals. basic principles described here. Either a ii) Both the supply and extract ducts or there is appreciable breakage of external :
In high-rise buildings the total evacuationtime dedicated smoke extract system can be
'

shafts should be constructed with fire windows!. Such a system is therefore only of /
Zoned Smoke Control System for provided, or as more usually the building's resistance equal to the fire resistance of the benefit where there is a mechanismto reduce
Multi-Storey Buildings (Section) normal HVAC system can be modified to act compartment floors (see 4.8.3) to prevent fire the fire size, i.e. such as sprinklers. The degree
also as a smoke control system when spread from level to level. of window breakage is hence minimized.
reauired. iii) The exhaust fan should be rated to run viii) In a multi-storey building, operation of
BS 5588: Part 4: 1978(1°)and Design of at the highest expected smoke temperature, the system by smoke detectors can result in
Smoke Control Systems for Buildings, but do not need to operate under fire the system operating on a level other than
i
USA (I2) give guidance on the design of resistance test conditions. the fire storey. It is therefore suggested that
pressurizationsystems. iv) The plant room containing the smoke system operation is by heat detectors or
5.1.4 The basics of such a "zoned" smoke t
extraction equipment should be constructed following the operation of a sprinkler system.
extract system are shown in Figure 13. as a fire compartment and should preferably Theie should also be fire brigade override i
Assuming each storey is a fire contain no other safety equipment (such as control as described in 4.8.2.
compartment, smoke is extracted from the
1
staircase pressurization plant).
fire storey into a common extract duct or shaft v) The power supply to the HVAC fans 5.1.7 Calculating extract rate required i
6
and from there to the exterior. At the same should be duplicated. Power and
time motorised smoke and fire dampers instrumentation cabling to the extract fans In Section 4, it was suggestedthat smoke
operate at each floor level other than the fire and motorised dampers should be of a type extract volumes and hence smoke layer :
floor. If the normal HVAC system recirculates resistant to fire or be run in a protected route depths may be estimated using the following :
air, the return or recirculating air damper is (see 4.8.2). equation : . .

I
I Figure 13
shut preventingsmoke re-entering the supply
ductwork. The supply system therefore runs
vi) The smoke and fire-rated dampers
should be to a suitable specification. In the
M = 0.19 Py3I2
on fresh air only and this is fed to all floors absence of suitable local standards, a Class Where
Fire-resistingconstruction
Fire-resistingductwork except the fire floor where a motorised I damper to UL 555s (11) is recommended for
~4 Fire & smoke-rateddampers damper prevents air entering. the return air damper, where leakage is critical.
 M = mass of smoke kg/. worthwhile for an unsprinklered building if a Dedicated Smoke Extract for
5.1.8 Smoke temperature ,
Mu,ti- Storey Building (Section,
P = perimeter of design fire (m) severe fire results in a significant breakage of ,

y = height from floor.to smoke Having calculated the smoke extract external windows.
/fan
layer base (m) volume it is possible to estimate expected
smoke temperature once a design fire has 5.2 WAREHO~SES
However, there are difficulties with such been chosen (see4.2). For sprinklered office
an approach when designing the smoke buildings, a design fire of heat output 1.5MW 5.2.1 Purpose of system
extract rate required in a multi-storey zoned is suggested. Determining fire size for an
smoke control system because it is not unsprinkleredoffice is difficult. However,if the The main use of a smoke extract system
necessary or practical to specify a design building is subdivided into small rooms, then in a warehouse would generally be to assist
smoke layer base. Indeed, the fire floor can the heat output of a fire fully involving one in fire fighting and to provide a means of
become completely smoke logged provided room (preferablythe largest) could be chosen. reducing propertydamage. Means of escape
smoke does not leak into surrounding areas. A reasonableapproximationto the maximum would normally be adequate to ensure
The purpose of the system is to prevent heat release rate Q max is given by : evacuation without a smoke extraction
leakage by creating pressure differences system.
across leaky boundaries such as doors and
floors. 5.2.2 Single-storey warehouses
The calculation of required flows and where
pressure differences is beyond the scope The d&gn of a naturalor poweredsmoke
of this guide. It is most easily carried out using L = total fire loadof the room expressed venting system for a single-storeywarehouse
a computer model such as ASCOS. in MJ or similar building, as shown for example in
However, for most purposes an extract rate Figure 14, is covered fully in Section 4.
of six air changes per hour from the fire But it must be accepted that a smoke The main difficulty in designing such L --- ----
floor will provide an acceptable level of
depressurization.
extract system of the type discussed here is
unlikely to perform satisfactorily or be
systems is in determining the fire size. This is
discussed in 4.2.
- Figure 15
Fire-resisting constructlon
m Fire-resistingductwork

,
w Fire B smoke-rateddampers
5.2.3 Multi-storey warehouses
Other design points are :-
Smoke Venting of Single-Storey Building For the purposesof smoke control, multi- i) Ductwork should be fire-resisting to
Powered or natural
extract Vents away fmm fire storey warehouses can be treated as a stack maintain compartmentation as discussed in
zone can act as inlets of single-storey warehouses provided that 4.8.3.
there is sufficient headroom on each storey i) Fans should be provided with
to allow the establishment of a smoke layer duplicate power supply and all cabling
and that each storey forms a single fire associated with them should be of fire-
\/ Smoke curtains
compartment.
Figure 15 shows the recommended I
resisting type (see 4.8.2). They should be
rated to run at the highest expected smoke
system. A single plant room can be used ( temperature which will occur with fire on the
*111t 41111 Cllli lnlet air Cllll
except in very tall buildings where friction highest floor.
losses in cornme ductwork become iii) Other design points as mentioned in
excessive. 5.1.6 iv - viii should also apply.
m.
 \ a\
5.3 Underground car parks reducing the teniperature and enabling sprinkler protection to compensate for the through openings (such as shop fronts) and
clearance of smoke once the fire has been lack of compartmentation. corre7ponding rotation into corridor is
Underground Car Park with Natural brought under control. The risk associated with fire in an atrium included;
Inlet and Extract (Section)
5.3.3 In unsprinklered car parks, the building will depend upon such factors as iii) two approaches for estimating smoke
design of the smoke extract may be carried the type and usage of a building, the number entrainment into line plumes rising up the
out on the basis of the guidelines in Section of people present, the type of fire protection height of the atrium void are presented;
4 using a 2.1m design smoke layer for fire systems and the means of escape provided. iv) design procedures for depressurisa-
fighting purposes. Hospitals, offices, shops, leisure centres etc. tion/smoke ventilation hybrid systems are
5.3.4 Generally, both inlet and extract to may all be designed to incorporate one or incorporated.
'
an undergroundcar park need to be ducted. more atria each presentingdifferent problems Above all, the document serves as ready
The ducts themselves should be designed in for means of escape. Ofices traditionally have referencefor an engineering design of smoke
I
accordance with 4.8.3. Inlets should be at proved to present a very low risk to life but ventilation in atrium buildings.
low level, extract should be at high level and entertainment and shopping complexes 5.4.3 The other UK document which deals
should be distributed evenly over the whole containing large numbers of people who are with the design of smoke control systems in
area of the car park. unfamiliar with the building represent a buildings containing atria is "Fire Safety in
or powered
5.3.5 The number and therefore size of significantly different case. Atrium Buildings", Fire Safety Guide No.2
Ground level 5.4.2 The Building Research Establish- which has been produced by the London
individual fans is up to the designer, provided
. Inlet air I sufficient volume of smoke is extracted and ment in UK has recently (1994) published a District Surveyors Association (LDSA).Whilst
mechanical inlet 1111
maximum inlet velocities (see 4.8.1) are not BRE report on "Design approaches for this guide has no statutory standing outside
exceeded. Fans should be rated to withstand smoke control in atrium buildings - central London, it iswidely usedin thedesign

Figure 16 / expectedsmoke temperatures and powered

as described in 4.8.2.
BR258".(2R'Thereport, similar to an earlier
BRE report for shopping mall, "Design
principles for smoke ventilation in enclosed
and approval of atrium buildings. The LDSA
guide puts particuldr emphasis on means of
escape and draws a clear distinction between
5.4 Atrium buildings shopping centres - BR 186"(2nconsolidates the fire protection measures required in
latest research findings in smoke ventilation buildings where total evacuation can be
5.3.1 The design fire size for a smoke An atrium which unites several storeys into design tables and charts. Engineers will achieved and buildings where phased
extract system for an underground car park within a building provides a route by which be able to design key components of an evacuation is utilised requiring a proportion
is suggested to be based on one car - usually smoke and fire can potentially spread from atrium ventilation system if the building of the occupants to remain in the building for
taken to have a heat output of 1.5MW for level to level much more rapidly than in a parameters fall within the scope of the given an extended period. Essentially the LDSA
sprinklered car parks and 3.OMW for similar building which is compartmented at charts. Otherwise, engineering equations document requires that all storeys which are
unsprinklered car parks.(I3) each level by means of solid fire-resisting included in the report enable designers to not separated from the atrium space are
5.3.2 It has also been shown by floors. Such spread of smoke can have a do the calculations from first principles. capable of being evacuated simultaneously.
experience that in sprinklered car parks, the substantial effect upon the time available for Essential features in BR258 include the The guide states that the provision of a
action of sprinklers is such as to bring smoke escape of the occupants, the activities of fire following: smoke control system is necessary in order
to floor level even if a smoke extract system fighters and the damage to the building i) principle for three methods of smoke to :
is installed. Thus, the system is unlikely to structure and contents. ventilation in atrium, namely, from floor of i) reduce the heat building up on the fire
provide a clear smoke-free layer for fire 5.4.1 The open nature of atrium buildings origin, from underbalcony smoke reservoir floor and thereby limit the risk of failure of the
fighting purposes and the system will often means that it is necessary to rely heavily and throughflow ventilation via atrium void atrium enclosure (if one exists).
therefore be essentially a smoke purging on active systems such as smoke extraction, are explained; ii) inhibit smoke spread into the atrium
system which will assist fire fighters by sophisticated detectiodalarm systems and ii) evaluation of smoke entrainment in the event of a local failure of the enclosure,
'l
 i iii) removeheat from the atrium to reduce have been constructed ranging from fully reservoir which will contain the smoke and i) Fire-resistingenclosure (steriletube),
the risk of failure of the atrium enclosure on
! enclosed atria glazed ~vithfire-resisting glass substantially prolong the time available for e.g. fire resisting glazing. ( See Figure 18).
iI the levels above the fire floor. and containingno fire loadto totally open with escape from the lower levels. Also the dilution ii) Enclosure of limited combustibility
/ In addition, the smoke control system for no separation between the atrium void and of smokeTwhicharises from the mixing of air but not fire-resisting.
: the individualfloors is requiredto be designed the associated floor areas. with the rising plume in large atria can I
to prevent the early spread of smoke into the If fire occurs on a floor connected to an significantly reduce the hazard presented by Fire-Resisting Sterjle Tube Atrii~m
j atrium space. The requirementsof the LDSA unenclosed atrium, hot smoke will rise to (Section)
the smoke. For most design pirrposes it is
i document can lead to the specification of very ceiling level of that storey and spread in all . possiblethat if the smoke from a 1 MW fire is
i wide staircases if a large number of open possible directions to form a layer beneath mixed in a volume of 75m3the visibility and
storeys are planned; which according to the the ceiling. Smoke will flow from the ceiling toxicity of the smoke will not be sufficient to

p"=I'
i guide's provisions must be capable of being layer into the atrium void where it will tend to
prevent escape if exposure is for a limited
I evacuated simultaneously. rise upwards due to its natural buoyancy. As period only.
i However in practice, by the provision of a the smoke rises through the atrium it will
j well designed smoke control system, it is entrain large quantities of cool air from within Smoke Logging of Atrium Building
I often possible to maintaintenable conditions the atrium reducing the temperature and
' (Section) resistant

within the open floor areas and increase the increasing the mass and volume of smoky
: number of storeys open to the atrium which gases involved.
: may be served by a given staircase As the smoke plume rises and cools, its I I
i specification. density increases such that at some height Figure 18

:
i Absolute protection against the its temperature may fall to that of the
B. PARTIALLY OPEN ATRIUM - Floors
; consequencesof fire can never be achieved surrounding air and will cease to rise by its
! in building design. However, a building open directly to aJrium at low level with
own buoyancy. Upper storeys smoke logged
enclosure above.
j containing an atrium should be designed in Having risen to an upper limit the smoke
! will then build downwards to produce a layer
.
I
'
such a manner that it presents no greater risk
to life than would be associated with a more
traditional building of similar type and
of increasing depth which will spread
horizontally into any open storeys within the
I Partially Open Atrium (Section) .
enclosed atrium oravlde
smoke resekolr
Rislng plume entrains
occupancy but which does not contain an depth of the layer.
' atrium. 5.4.6 Because a substantial proportionof
5.4.4 The latest development in the the smoke and toxic fumes arising from a fire
international effort to formulate design on an open floor levelwill spread directly into glazing
: guidelines for smoke ventilation in atrium is the atrium volume the rate of smoke layer
theongoingEuropeanUnionStandardisation development on the fire floor will be Fwre 17

Committee(CEN) draflingof a CEN Standard. significantly reduced. This can provide a . 5.4.7 Buildings containing atria can be
Much of the British research findings have substantial increase in the time available
considered in terms of the following main
been incorporated into this draft standard. for escape on the level at which the fire
categories for the purposes of fire safety
Furthermore,considerable work is being started.
design:
carried out at the present time to develop a If the upper levels of the atrium are
new British Standard for fire safety in atrium enclosed with fire resisting glazing which will A. FULLY ENCLOSED - Atrium figure 19

buildings (BS 5588: Part 7). remain intact, the atrium may, depending separated from all .nqor levels except at the i)Fire-resisting enclosure, e.g. made
5.4.5 A wide range of building designs upon its size and f, provide a large smoke atrium base level of fire resisting glazing.
El
 ii) Enclosure of limited combustibility This may be a~nievedby either the designed to maintam the smoke layer base Under non-emergencyconditionssuch an
but not fire-resisting. (See Figure 19). installationof sprinklers or by means of smoke above highest open storey assuming a steady area could serve as an office or fulfill some
extract system designed to maintain state design fire. Alternatively, a specific fire other purpose provided that sufficient space
C. FULLY OPEN ATRIUM - No enclosure temperatures within the atrium at or below growth/time evacuation study may be camed is available for waiting space. If this strategy
between atrium and floor areas as shown in 300°C. out and a smoke control system designed to
Figure 20. I No further action is necessary other than ensure that the occupied levels will remain
is adopted the smoke control system should
be designed to maintain the waiting area at a
to comply with statutory requirements for tenable throughout the evacuation period. positive pressure relative to the atrium space
Ftjlly Open Atriirm (Section)
non-atrium buildings. to ensure that smoke does not hazard the
A iil) Atrium enclosed with non- 5.4.10 Fully open atrium refuge areas.
combustible b u t non-fire resisting
glazing. -
Occupancy awake, mobile a n d 5.4.11 Provision for fire fighting

el Fgure 20

The currently available guidancein the UK

has been quoted above. In essence, the
a. Building should be sprinklered
throughout, sprinklers on normal grid.
b. Smokeheat extract system designed
to maintain glazing at two levels above fire
floor below 300°C or failure temperature of
glass whichever is the lower.
c. If atrium facade contains perforation
familiar with building.
For all high-rise buildings a sprinkler
system should be provided throughout.
The smoke control system should be
designedto ensure that untenable conditions
do not arise (other than on the fire floor) within
a period of at least equal to the anticipated
To assist fire fighting operations and
smoke clearance it is common practice to
provide a smoke extract system designed to
provide an hourly air change rate of six
although certain U.S. codes accept lower air
change rates. This is based upon the total
of limited area and phased evacuation is evacuation time. volume of the atrium space and the
following general principles can be associated open floor area.
considered as basis for design of high-rise utilised, a smoke extract system designed to An alternative strategywould be to provide
maintain a negative atrium pressure relative "waiting areas" in the form of separate fire
atrium buildings.
to the non-fire floors is recommended. compartments at each level which are
5.4.8 Fully enclosed atrium capable of holding the,total occupancy of 5.5.1 The smoke control requirement for
5.4.9 Partially open atrium the floor whilst awaiting evacuation via the shopping malls of more than one storey arise
i) Fire-resisting enclosure to all levels staircase. essentially as the malls must be treated as
except at atrium base. As per enclosed atrium design at enclosed
levels but following provisions apply to open Smoke Extraction from Individua4 Shop Units (Plan)
If the fire-resistingenclosure provides both
h d i i w l shop
integrity and insulation (e.g, fire resisting areas: 'unils separaled
insulated glass) in accordance with BS 476: -
i) O c c u p a n c ~ awake, mobile a n d by fire resisling
construction
Part 22 or other recognised fire resistance familiar with building fe.g. offices)
standard for the appropriate period no other If Single stage evacuation of open storeys
action is necessary(other than to comply with with standard exit widths and travel distances
statutory requirements for no special exit provision is required provided -llll+
alr MALL Inlet air via mall
doors, mall rooflights
4111:placement
1
buildings). that it can be shown that i~ntenableconditions I or vents or mechanicaNductedinlets I
ii) If the fire-resisting enclosure provides do "01 arise on any open floor within the
integrity only, the fire protection systems expected period.
ii) O c c u ~ a n c- ~awake, mobile b u t
should be designed to maintain the
temperature within the atrium below 300°C unfamiliar with building fe-g. shops). I'
SHOP ON FIRE ,
/
- I - uI
so as to reducethe potential for heat radiation stage is Figure 2 1
onto the other floors. together with a smoke control system IFire-resistingconstruction Fire-residing duct wall w Fire & smoke-rated damper

r?
 Smoke Extraction from Individual Shop Units (Section) iv) Smoke and fire rated dampers are Two-storey Shopping Mall.
I Extract from Mall
needed where ductwork within a shop enters
common ductwork. They should be rated to
UL 555s Class I, 11, Ill or IV.
(Note: More leaky dampers, i.e. Class Ill
or IV, means that more air will be drawn into '-'
the smoke extract ductwork through these
dampers, therefore requiring larger ductwork
and/or fans.)
or perinanent smoke
v) It is assumed that means of escape
capable of within the shop are such that allow occupants =3
wilhstandino
smoke ' I/ ,",","k', RIE;r!: to escape before potentially dangerous Rising plume
. . .:.. : , ,
:i
temperature
/I' damper open
conditions arise. The primary purpose of the Channellingscree{-

I MALL

Figure 22
smoke extract system is not to maintain a
high smoke layer within the shop to facilitate
!
lnlet from doors, vents orllll+
mechanical ducts

IFire-resisting construction escape within the shop.The design smoke Figure 24

Fire-resisting duct wall
Fire 8 smoke-rated damper
layer can be lower than the 2.5-3.0m
recommended in 4.3.2. The main constraint Detailedguidance BR 186on one method
escape routes. Smoke escaping from a shop no need for shoppers to escape through or on smoke layer depth is the need for people of design is given.
on the ground storey will entrain air as it beneath a hot smoke layer. to pass beneath reservoir smoke screens at i) The amount of smoke produced by
rises and the large volume of smoke ii) very large fan sizes which are required the junction between shop and mall, the rising plume increases significantly with
produced can fill the mall area within a for mall extraction are not needed. suggesting a minimum design smoke base height. It is not therefbre practical to use this
relatively short period unless provision for While this system is effective, its design is height of 2m. method for malls of more than 2 storeys and
sprinkler protection and smoke control is more complex and will cost more than the approach described for atria in Section
made. conventional mall extract systems. 5.5.4 Extract from mall 5.4 will be more appropriate.
5.5.2 There are two common approaches Some design features to note are: ii) To limit the amount of smoke entering
to this problem : i) Shops must be sprinklered. In the U.K This approach is illustrated in Figures 23 the' rising plume it is usually necessary to
i) extract smoke from each individualshop design is usually based upon a fire of 5MW, and 24. channel smoke so that the perimeter of the
unit so that smoke is prevented from entering with a 12m perimeter sprinkler controlled fire. plume is reduced. This is done using
Single-storey Shopping Mall,
; the mall. ii) To reduce cost, use combined ductwork Extract from Mall (Section) channelling screens as shown in Figure 24.
ii) extract smoke from the mall itself to and fans serving many shops. Fans and iii) ?Thevolume of smoke in the plume can
maintain pedestrian levels clear. ductwork should be sized to cope with the be estimated either by using the figures in
"worst case" demand - usually extract from Ref..l dr by using the following formula
5.5.3 Extract from individual shop units

This approach is illustrated in Figures 21

the shop unit most remote from the fans.
Power and cabling to fans should be as
described in 4.8.2.
r-i (simplified from Ref. 17):

and 22. iii) Common ductwork which passes

There are two main advantages of such
a method :
through compartment walls should be
inherently fire-resistinq or encased with fire
Inlet air from
doors, vents or
m I
I

i) smoke is kept off the mall and there is protection material( escribed in 4.9.