 The airborne solid and liquid particulates and gases evolved when a material undergoes pyrolysis or combustion. – NFPA 92A  Follows Path of Least Residence

 The majority of all fire deaths is related to smoke and noxious gases, not flames.  MGM Grand Hotel Fire=85 deaths primarily from smoke movement & carbon monoxide  Cook County Fire = 6 dead found in stairwell hours after fire was extinguished

 Dilution (smoke removal, smoke exhaust)  Typically used to remove smoke after fire has been extinguished  CAUTION: Can cause significant mixing of air within space and may cause increase in fire if used in location of fire origin.  Pressurization  Pressure difference across a barrier can control smoke movement

 Air Flow  Typically used extensively to manage smoke from fires in subways, railroad and highway tunnels.

 Dedicated Smoke Control Systems  Sole purpose is providing smoke control  Non-Dedicated Smoke Control Systems  Use of HVAC systems to control smoke when detection of fire

 Smoke control systems are designed to accomplish one or more of the following objectives: 1. Contain the smoke to the zone of the fire origin, 2. Maintain a tenable environment within exit stairwells for the time necessary to allow occupants to exit the building, 3. Maintain a tenable environment within all exit access and smoke refuge area access paths for the time necessary to allow occupants to reach an exit or smoke refuge area, and 4. Other performance-based design objectives acceptable to the AHJ (NFPA 92A, 2008).

 Include one or more of the following elements: 1. Stairwell pressurization-pressurized stairwells are mechanically pressurized, with respect to the fire area, with outdoor air to keep smoke from contaminating stairwells during a fire incident. 2. Zoned smoke control – This is a space within a building enclosed by smoke barriers, including the top and bottom, that is part of a zoned smoke-control system. 3. Elevator smoke control 4. Vestibules – A small entrance hall or passage between the outer door and the interior of a house or building, also known as a lobby. 5. Smoke refuge areas – An area of the building separated from other spaces by fire resistance rated smoke barriers in which a tenable environment is maintained for the period of time that such areas might need to be occupied at the time of fire. (NFPA 92A, 2008)

 A system that provides graphical monitoring and manual overriding capability over smoke- control systems and equipment at designated locations within the building for the use of the fire department

 Must Coordinate suppression activities with ventilation activities.  Typically we must order fire service personnel into dangerous places to perform adequate ventilation.  The FSCS provides the fire service an excellent tool to utilize in fighting these larger fires.  Best if analyzed as part of pre- plan

 Ventilation at the wrong time and wrong place may lead to a worse fire by bringing a source of oxygen to the fire.