What is a smoke control system?

A smoke control system is specifically designed to manage smoke movement within a building during a fire event. Its primary function is to minimize the spread of smoke and heat, helping to maintain tenable conditions for occupants and facilitating the safe evacuation of the building. This system plays a critical role in life safety and property protection during fire emergencies by strategically controlling smoke through various means, such as smoke vents, pressurization systems, or smoke barriers.

Understanding this concept is essential for safe building design and fire protection planning, ensuring that measures are in place to combat the hazardous effects of smoke in the event of a fire. While smoke detection is important for early warning, and air quality enhancements are beneficial for health, those functions do not encompass the primary purpose of a smoke control system. Additionally, low-cost fire alarm systems do not involve the comprehensive management of smoke movement, which is a vital aspect of life safety in fire situations.