Smoke Containment Strategies for Elevator Hoistways and Lobbies

Smoke Containment Strategies for Elevator Hoistways and Lobbies

The spread of smoke in mid- and high-rise building fires is recognized as a major threat to the safety of the building occupants and responding fire personnel and the effectiveness of firefighting operations. This course explains how smoke migrates in a multi-story building fire and discusses how building codes have evolved to address this danger and why they mandate smoke containment in specific areas of a structure. Product applications and assemblies designed to meet building code requirements and limit vertical smoke migration via elevator hoistways and lobbies are examined.

Learning Objectives: 
  1. Discuss how the building codes address smoke control in multi-level buildings and the building design measure that must be taken to enhance occupant safety.
  2. List building design and product configuration options that comply with building code requirements for egress planning.
  3. Explain the behavior of fire and smoke in a mid- or high-rise building and how smoke migration can inhibit means of egress via elevator hoistways and lobbies and compromise the life-safety of building occupants.
  4. Evaluate and compare the product applications and assemblies designed to meet building code requirements and limit smoke migration via elevator hoistways and lobbies.
Design Category: 
(08) Doors, Windows and Openings
Applicable Credits