Fire and Smoke Experiments: How Smoke Control Codes are Made

Written by Alpha Sallah, PE, CFPS, LEED AP BD+C in Smoke Control Systems 

Smoke control systems have evolved over time through a variety of tests and experiments. Full-scale experiments conducted before building demolitions or in research facilities are just some examples of how data is gathered to shape modern building codes and fire safety designs. These tests help validate the performance of smoke control systems in real-world scenarios.

Smoke control standards are generated through rigorous experiments that test system effectiveness, like pressurization and exhaust methods. Organizations such as NFPA and ICC then review and assess these results to modify or introduce new code and standard requirements, ensuring systems meet evolving safety needs.

Organizations such as the Atlanta City Building Department (Henry Grady Hotel), Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute (30 Church Street), and the National Institute for Standards and Technology (Plaza Hotel) have contributed valuable data through their experiments. The National Research Council of Canada’s Experimental Fire Tower is another example of a facility dedicated to such testing. Read on to explore some of these case studies and their impact on modern standards.

Henry Grady Hotel Smoke Control Experiments

Historical Background
The Henry Grady Hotel, a high-rise in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, was completed in 1924. The building gained political significance as it hosted several US politicians’ offices and was the site of civil rights protests.

Before its demolition, the Atlanta City Building Department conducted a series of full-scale fire and smoke tests for research purposes.

Systems Tested

  • Stairwell pressurization without vestibules
  • Stairwell pressurization with vestibules
  • Elevator hoistway pressurization

Findings

  • Stairwell pressurization effectively kept smoke out of egress stairwells.
  • Elevator pressurization successfully prevented smoke infiltration into elevator shafts.

30 Church Street Offices Smoke Control Experiments

Historical Background
The Hudson Terminal in Manhattan, New York City, was a 22-story office complex opened in 1908 and operated by the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad (H&M) Company. After the company went bankrupt, the building was demolished around 1972.

Before demolition, the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute conducted full-scale fire and smoke tests.

System Tested

  • Stairwell pressurization

Findings

  • Stairwell pressurization effectively kept smoke out of egress stairwells.

Below is a clip from a December 10th, 1972, newspaper article about the Hudson Terminal fire tests.

Plaza Hotel Smoke Control Experiments

Floor Plan of Plaza Hotel Smoke Control Testing (Klote et al., 2012)

Historical Background
The Plaza Hotel, a 7-story building in Washington, DC, was the site of full-scale fire and smoke tests conducted by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) in 1989, shortly before the building’s demolition.

Systems Tested

  • Stairwell pressurization
  • Zoned smoke control (exhausting the fire floor and pressurizing the floors above and below)
  • Measurements of smoke obscuration, pressure differences, wind, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and oxygen (O2)

Findings

  • Stairwell pressurization effectively kept smoke out of egress stairwells.
  • Zoned smoke control prevented smoke from entering non-fire floors.
  • Validated the use of hydrostatic equations for fire modeling and smoke control calculations.

NRCC Experimental Fire Tower Smoke Control Experiments

Background
The National Research Council of Canada (NRCC) constructed a 10-story Experimental Fire Tower near Ottawa in 1981 for the sole purpose of fire and smoke experimentation. A nearby service building housed researchers working on the project.

Over the years, this facility has been a site for many significant smoke control experiments.

Citations

  1. Klote, J. H., Milke, J. A., Turnbull, P. G., Kashef, A., & Ferreira, M. J. (2012). Handbook of Smoke Control EngineeringOpens in a new tab.. ASHRAE.
  2. Achakji, G. Y. (1987). NRCC Experimental Fire Tower for Studies on Smoke Movement and Smoke Control in Tall Buildings. NRC Publications ArchiveOpens in a new tab..
  3. Image Sources: Henry Grady HotelOpens in a new tab., 30 Church St OfficesOpens in a new tab., Newspaper ClipOpens in a new tab., Plaza Hotel, NRCC Experimental Fire TowerOpens in a new tab.

Alpha Sallah, PE, CFPS, LEED AP BD+C

Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) who specializes in smoke control systems, performance-based design, and qualitative fire risk assessments - with experience in the USA and Gulf regions.

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