FPE's or other FP related designers generally have nothing to do with the selection of smoke/heat vents. It is in most cases driven by the architect who is trying to comply with a building code directive for a building of a certain size, construction type and occupancy. It could easily be an open manufacturing are or a warehouse area. The determination of whether they are needed or not in almost every case doesn't even take into consideration what type of sprinklers will be designed and used. The code requirement directing the use of vents is determined many times before the sprinkler designer or FPE is ever invited to the dance.
Doors are for EGRESS, not ingress. So whenever this scenario arises it's time to get with the Underwriter, the Owner and the local AHJ an come to some sort of agreement as to what to do that will satisfy all parties. And it ain't always the same song for each dance. Craig L. Prahl, CET Fire Protection Group Mechanical Department CH2MHILL Lockwood Greene 1500 International Drive PO Box 491, Spartanburg, SC 29304-0491 Direct - 864.599.4102 Fax - 864.599.8439 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.lg.com -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of å... .... Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 4:21 PM To: [email protected] Subject: 2006 IFC - Smoke and Heat Vents If the doors are meant for fire fighter INGRESS, then what does it matter if smoke vents are eliminated, since we are presuming then, that the doors required for occupant egress are satisfied. If the doors spacing is required for occupant EGRESS, and the larger door spacing that is allowed when vents are present-- is maintained after smoke vens are eliminating, then it STILL should not matter, because in MOST instances, these smoke vents are to operate AFTER the ESFR sprinkers, and usually for fire fighter salvage and overall operations. The issue of smoke venting in large, single story, open plan buildings is one of smoke and mirrors, and frankly i think far too many FPE's use it for mental masturbation to make themselves look (or feel) useful at the design meeting. While it may be a CLOSE call in some fires, I have yet to hear of OCCUPANTS not successfully evacuating from some large fires in these types of occupancies. I will gladly stand corrected. I know SOME fire departments out there must have SOP's on smoke venting of large, single-story, open plan structures. I would like to hear from them what are their SOP's: 1. the time they desire for the building to clear of smoke via smoke venting in still air 2. the time they desire for the building to clear of smoke via smoke venting in a 15 mph wind 3. their intention (if any) to use smoke venting as a life safety tool for the egress of OCCUPANTS, (i realize it is used for search and rescue, but that is past the point in the timeline where self evacuation is possible). 4. how many vents and which vents they intend to open (upwind, downwind), and which doors they plan to open in concert. I ask for these smoke venting SOP's to make my designs more harmonious with fire department practices. After all, what is the purpose of these vents? a. interruption of normal, tested and listed sprinkler activation b. increased sales of a building feature that is the equivalent to the oversized starter first contemplated for the Model-T? c. self evacuation of occupants d. search and rescue for the fire department e. salvage and overall for the fire deparment Yes, I am being a little sarcastic, but sincerely though. scot deal excelsior fire engineering _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
