This code provides guidelines for the design, installation, and maintenance of smoke control systems in buildings. It covers three primary methods: pressurization of escape routes, smoke venting, and mechanical smoke extraction, aiming to maintain tenable conditions for occupant evacuation and firefighting operations.
Provides guidance on the design, installation, and maintenance of smoke control systems to facilitate evacuation and firefighting.
Quick Reference Values
Minimum pressure differential (doors closed)50 Pa
Minimum pressure differential (doors open)15 Pa
Minimum air velocity through open doorway0.75 m/s
Maximum force to open a door110 N
Number of air changes for smoke extraction (basements)12 per hour
Key Formulas
Q = 0.827 × A × (P^(1/n)) — Airflow through leakage paths (where Q=airflow, A=leakage area, P=pressure difference, n=flow exponent)
Q = A × v — Airflow required for velocity control (where Q=airflow, A=doorway area, v=air velocity)
Practical Notes
This standard should be read in conjunction with the National Building Code of India (NBC) 2016, Part 4 'Fire and Life Safety', which provides more updated and comprehensive requirements for smoke control.
The maximum door opening force (110 N) is a critical life safety check; high pressurization levels can make doors difficult to open, trapping occupants.
Effective smoke control design requires close coordination between architects, MEP engineers, and fire safety consultants, especially for damper locations and fan specifications.