Zoned Smoke Control System in Healthcare Facilities

[Saber Elkassas]

Hello All,

NFPA 101 is requiring an engineered smoke control system to be provided in existing healthcare facilities, and I have an existing inpatient hospital with 2 smoke compartments and atrium connected with the mean of egress corridors. What should be the system used:
1- Smoke extraction in the atrium with the passive smoke control system.
2- Zoned smoke control system besides option (1)and Windowless Anesthetizing Locations according to NFPA 99 1999.

 

[Adamfpe]

Hey Saber,

Couple questions to get us started. Smoke control has a specific meaning per NFPA 92 and NFPA 101. Do you actually have a defined atrium? If so your smoke compartments cannot overlap with the atrium. Make the atrium it's own smoke compartment unless you are in accordance with NFPA 101, 2012 section 18.3.7.1.

Now that I wrote this, we should start with where in the world you are located. Figure out the correct codes to follow. Let's start here and work through the answers.

Adam