Article VII — Smoke Removal Systems — Sacramento Zoning Code

15.100.480 Smoke removal.¶

Natural or mechanical ventilation for the removal of products of combustion shall be provided on every story and shall consist of one of the following methods:

A. Easily identifiable windows or panels which are manually openable shall be provided in the exterior walls. When openable windows or panels are used, all windows/panels in the building above the first floor shall be openable.

B. The interior air circulation system may be used provided such system, under fire conditions, exhausts at a minimum of six complete air changes per hour. Such systems shall be exhausted directly to the outside of the building. System shall be so designed that the maximum required change can be achieved in two separate smoke removal zones at the same time during normal and emergency standby power conditions. (Prior code §§ 9.28.1247, 15.13.1301)

15.100.490 Smoke removal openings.¶

All smoke removal systems shall be designed to remove smoke directly out of the building. All exhausted smoke openings shall be located so that smoke will not be recirculated into that building or any other building. Systems shall be so designed and installed to eliminate smoke entering any main air duct, plenum, or shaft not used for smoke removal. (Prior code §§ 9.28.1248, 15.13.1302)

15.100.500 Designed by licensed mechanical engineer.¶

All smoke removal systems shall be designed by a licensed mechanical engineer registered in the State of California. (Prior code §§ 9.28.1249, 15.13.1303)

15.100.510 Mechanical ventilation testing.¶

Smoke removal systems shall be tested with a suitable product to verify the capability of the system to perform its intended design. The acceptance test will be performed by pressure and velocity testing, using chemical smoke, tracer gas or various combinations of these methods. All chemical smoke products used shall be approved by the authority having jurisdiction. (Prior code §§ 9.28.1250, 15.13.1304)

15.100.520 Test criteria for smoke removal systems.¶

The test criteria for removal of smoke shall be as follows:

A. Test area(s) shall be selected by the authority having jurisdiction.
B. The heating ventilation air conditioning (H.V.A.C.) system(s) shall be in the "OFF" mode.

C. Chemical smoke shall be introduced to the test area until a density of smoke is equal to one cubic foot of smoke per cubic foot of floor area.

D. The H.V.A.C. system(s) shall be placed in the "ON" position.

E. All devices shall be checked for proper function.

F. Smoke density shall be reduced to make exit signs and the paths of egress clearly visible within ten (10) minutes. G. All adjacent areas shall be inspected to assure that smoke has not migrated.

H. Systems shall also be tested to assure compliance in the automatic mode. (Prior code §§ 9.28.1251, 15.13.1305) 15.100.530 Fire-damper temperature rating. Selection of fire damper temperature ratings and other damper control temperature ratings shall be so that smoke removal is not impaired.

A. Dampers shall have a minimum smoke rating of Class II as per the 1989 U.B.C. Standard 43-12.

B. Where equipment is used for smoke removal and located in the air stream, such as air ducts, shafts, or plenum ceiling areas, the devices used shall have a temperature rating equal to, or greater than, the maximum working temperature that could be encountered under removal conditions. These devices shall include, but not be limited to, motorized dampers, air-volume controls, pneumatic piping and wiring. (Prior code §§ 9.28.1252, 15.13.1306)

15.100.540 Stairway pressurization.¶

Stairway pressurization shall be installed as required by T-24 C.C.R., Chapter 33 and designed in accordance with N.F.P.A. Standard 92-A. Stairway pressurization shall also be designed that all exit doors into stairways, at all levels, shall be opened by exerting between eight pounds and thirty (30) pounds force in the direction of exit travel. Such systems shall not work against the smoke removal systems. Positive pressure shall be maintained with a minimum of three doors in the fully open position. (Prior code §§ 9.28.1253, 15.13.1307)

15.100.550 Smoke removal actuation.¶

Smoke removal systems shall be activated by all initiating devices except manual pull stations.

A. Stairway pressurization shall be activated by any initiating device.

B. Individual guest room smoke detectors of R-1 occupancies shall not activate smoke removal systems. (Prior code §§ 9.28.1254, 15.13.1308)

15.100.560 Smoke system controls.¶

A control panel shall be provided for the control of all fans and dampers associated with the life safety system and be located in the fire control room. Control shall be achieved by three position switches (on, off, and automatic). The on position shall be the manual on position, the off position shall be the manual off position and the automatic position will put into operation, automatically,

all necessary fans and dampers necessary for the smoke removal system. These switches shall control the following:

A. Every supply fan system;

B. Every return/exhaust fan system;

C. Every supply damper zone;

D. Every return/exhaust damper zone.

No other control switches are permitted with these fans or dampers. Switches shall be kept in the automatic position to allow automatic operation of the engineered smoke management system. No. switches or devices shall be capable of overriding the controls for the fans or dampers, while in emergency mode, except those located in the fire control room. The foregoing notwithstanding, the disconnect switches required by the National Electric Code shall be installed. (Prior code §§ 9.28.1255, 15.13.1309)

15.100.570 Fan override controls.¶

Each supply and return fan associated with the smoke removal system shall be provided with its own control switch. This switch shall be a three position switch located in the fire control room and capable of providing the following functions:

A. Automatic start or stop of all fans;

B. Manual start or stop of all fans.

Each control switch and its indicating lights shall be clearly labeled as required in Section 15.100.590 of this chapter. Systems shall be installed so that the override control switches can be manually taken out of the automatic position and put in any other position or back into automatic without requiring any portion of the life safety system to be reset. (Prior code §§ 9.28.1256, 15.13.1310)

15.100.580 Damper override controls.¶

Each supply and exhaust damper shall be provided with a re-openable fire/smoke damper operator control switch. This switch shall be a three position switch located in the fire control room and capable of providing the following functions:

A. Automatic positioning of all dampers required to achieve the desired smoke removal system;

B. Manually opening and closing of any desired damper;

C. Each control switch and its indicating lights shall be clearly labeled as required in Section 15.100.590 of this chapter;

D. Dampers shall fully open and/or close within sixty (60) seconds of activation;

E. Fire stats shall be overridden in emergency conditions and shall not hinder the operation or cause premature closure of the damper.

The system shall be installed so that the override control switches can be manually taken out of the automatic position and put in any other position or back into automatic without requiring any portion of the life safety system to be reset. (Prior code §§ 9.28.1257, 15.13.1311)

15.100.590 Visual display.¶

Each control switch shall be provided with a visual indicator to verify the position or function of that unit or device. Damper indicators shall indicate damper position. This shall be accomplished by a positive contact on the damper blade. Indicate shall be grouped with the switch.

All fan indicators shall indicate fan mode. This shall be accomplished by a device(s) located in the air stream that will positively sense the presence or lack of air in the air stream. (Prior code §§ 9.28.1258, 15.13.1312)

15.100.600 Fans, dampers and controls.¶

All fans, dampers and their controls, associated with the smoke removal system, shall be on the emergency standby power systems. This shall include the compressor(s) that supply air for the variable air volume control. (Prior code §§ 9.28.1259, 15.13.1313)

15.100.610 Panel arrangement.¶

The control panel for this system shall be arranged so that fan control and damper control switches are not intermixed with each other or any other control or annunciating device within the fire alarm control panel(s). (Prior code §§ 9.28.1260, 15.13.1314)

15.100.620 Smoke removal plans.¶

A graphic illustration of the smoke removal system for the building shall be provided and posted adjacent to the control panel that shows the following:

A. Location of all fans, their function and areas served;

B. Location of all dampers, their function and areas served;
C. All fans and dampers shall be labeled on the riser detail so that they correspond directly to the labeling of the control switches;

D. Controls for fan operation in atriums shall comply with this section. (Prior code §§ 9.28.1261, 15.13.1315)