Smoke can be vented through escape routes within high-rise structures, such as corridors, lobbies, and notably staircases, if a smoke control system is in place. The smoke control system is designed to function on a floor-by-floor basis, and when smoke is detected in any of the protected areas, it immediately opens smoke doors and Automatic Opening Vents (AOVs) to allow smoke to be extracted from the affected area while keeping escape routes accessible.
By expelling smoke, smoke ventilation allows for the formation of a smoke-free layer. This improves the chances of a safe escape and allows the fire to be put out quickly. Smoke can be naturally or mechanically ventilated. Natural smoke ventilation makes use of the buoyancy of hot smoke as well as the airflow dynamics of smoke and air to remove smoke off a building's façade.
A mechanical system forces smoke to flow and allows it to escape through dampers, grills, and vents by using powered elements such as fans. Mechanical systems, which most often use a smoke shaft, are beneficial when space is limited and/or natural airflow is insufficient to meet specifications.
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