| By EB Life Safety Team | Smoke Control | 6 min read
Smoke Control in Florida High-Rise Buildings
Smoke is responsible for more fire-related deaths than flames. In high-rise buildings, smoke control systems are essential for protecting occupants during evacuation. Here's what building owners and managers need to know.
What is Smoke Control?
Smoke control systems manage smoke movement during a fire to:
- Maintain tenable conditions in egress paths
- Allow safe occupant evacuation
- Enable fire department operations
- Protect property and equipment
When is Smoke Control Required?
Under IBC Section 909 and the Florida Building Code, smoke control is required in:
- High-rise buildings (75 feet or more in height)
- Atriums connecting more than 2 stories
- Underground buildings and structures
- Covered malls and large assembly spaces
- Stages over 1,000 square feet
- Special uses as determined by AHJ
Types of Smoke Control Systems
#### Stairwell Pressurization Maintains positive pressure (0.05 to 0.10 inches water gauge) in exit stairs to prevent smoke infiltration. This is the most common system in Florida high-rises.
#### Elevator Shaft Pressurization Similar concept applied to elevator shafts, particularly important for firefighter access elevators.
#### Atrium Smoke Exhaust Uses mechanical exhaust fans to remove smoke from atrium spaces, maintaining clear lower areas for evacuation.
#### Zoned Smoke Control Creates pressure differentials between fire zones, containing smoke to the area of origin.
Key Code Requirements
NFPA 92 provides detailed engineering guidance for:
- Design calculations and methods
- Acceptance testing procedures
- Equipment specifications
- Maintenance requirements
IBC Section 909.4 requires a rational analysis documenting:
- System design approach
- Calculation methodology
- Performance criteria
- Engineering assumptions
Testing Requirements
Smoke control systems require rigorous testing:
- Commissioning before certificate of occupancy
- Annual testing per NFPA 4
- Semi-annual component testing
- Documentation of all test results
Common Deficiencies We Find
Through our commissioning and testing work, we frequently identify:
- Insufficient fan capacity
- Improper damper sequencing
- Fire alarm interface failures
- Inadequate pressure differentials
- Missing or damaged ductwork seals
- Outdated control programming
EB Life Safety Services
We provide comprehensive smoke control services for Florida high-rises:
- Design review and rational analysis
- Commissioning and acceptance testing
- Annual NFPA 4 integrated testing
- Remediation design and support
- AHJ coordination and documentation
Contact us for a smoke control system evaluation of your building.