Smoke Control Systems

Smoke control systems typically follow a performance-based design approach and generally require acceptance by the Building Department and the fire district. All submittals shall include the name, address, and telephone number of the designer of record. Design submittals shall be stamped and signed by a Colorado-licensed professional mechanical or fire protection engineer. The submittal accompanying the application for plan review and permit of a smoke control system should include the following elements:

  • At least one full set of building construction plans. All components of the smoke control system shall be shown on the plans. Smoke zones or compartments shall be identified on the plans.
  • Documentation of each step in the performance-based fire safety analysis and design process shall be submitted. Each key step in the process should be identified and documented in order to provide a clear record of the process.
  • Documentation shall be provided that includes the following information:
    • The key participants in the project, including the client, and their specific roles shall be identified. Any pertinent education and background of the members of the design team relative to performance-based design of smoke control systems should be included.
    • The restrictions on use or occupancy based on the proposed design shall be explicitly stated.
    • The periodic and/or routine inspection, testing and maintenance requirements, as well as any training requirements for the inspection, testing and maintenance of the system, shall be included.
    • A statement of goals, objectives, requirements and criteria shall be included. The documentation of criteria shall include any safety or reliability factors that have been applied along with justification for their use.
  • An engineering rationale shall be submitted with supporting details of system. References shall be cited in support of all aspects of the engineering rationale. The engineering rationale shall include the following information, calculations, and considerations:
    • Fire scenarios and design-basis fire(s) shall be characterized in detail.
    • A time-based egress analysis (sometimes called “timed exit analysis” or “dynamic exit analysis”) shall be performed.
    • Stack effect shall be considered and analyzed.
    • Temperature effects of the fire.
    • Wind effects shall be considered and analyzed.
    • The role of HVAC systems shall be considered and analyzed.
    • Climate shall be considered and factored into the design.
    • The implemented smoke control method shall be identified.
  • An equipment list shall be provided for all equipment that is to be part of or connected to the smoke control system. Technical literature establishing the suitability of each type of equipment for the predicted fire environment shall also be submitted.
  • Schematics shall be submitted depicting the primary and secondary power sources for the smoke control system. A sequence of operations shall be provided that explains the transfer of power between primary and secondary sources.
  • Where a separate fire alarm system is to be installed, fire alarm system plans shall be submitted concurrently with smoke control system plans. For design, review and testing purposes, the smoke control system and the fire alarm system shall be considered a single, integrated system.
  • Where a separate fire alarm system will not be provided, fire detection and smoke control system plans shall be submitted.
  • A smoke control system event matrix shall be provided. The matrix shall fully describe the design of the system based on operation of each component and shall be the basis for system testing.
  • The smoke control system submittal shall include a preliminary firefighter’s control panel layout and a preliminary user’s manual explaining the fundamental principles of operation of the smoke control system and detailing the operation of the firefighter’s control panel.
Smoke control systems are required to be inspected by a special inspector. The special inspector or special inspection agency shall be approved by North Metro Fire. Smoke control design documents shall acknowledge the need for a special inspector and shall prescribe, in detail, the testing and acceptance procedures, equipment necessary to perform such testing, and the specific pass/fail performance criteria that need to be met in order for the smoke control system to pass final inspection.