917.2 Post-Fire Smoke Purge Systems in Occupancy Groups Other Than R-2

Post-fire smoke purge systems are permitted to use dedicated equipment, the normal building HVAC system or other openings and shall have the capability to exhaust smoke from occupied spaces. Smoke removal may be by either mechanical or natural ventilation, but shall be capable of removing cold smoke. Smoke removed from a space must be discharged to a safe location outside the building and shall not be recirculated into the building in accordance with the New York City Mechanical Code.

The system shall have an air supply and smoke exhaust capability that will provide a minimum of 6 air changes per hour or 1 cubic foot per minute per square foot (cfm/ft²) (0.00508 m³/s • m²), whichever is greater. The system need not exhaust from all areas at the same time, but is permitted to be zoned based on the largest fire area served. For the purpose of calculating system size, the height of a compartment shall be considered to run from slab to slab and include the volume above suspended ceilings. Provisions shall be made for sufficient make-up air. The provisions may include operable windows, doors, building leakage, or mechanical systems. In buildings having occupied floors located less than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of Fire Department vehicle access, breakable windows may be utilized.

The post-fire smoke purge system shall be operated by manual controls that are part of the fire command center, in accordance with Section 911, or fire alarm control unit when a fire command center is not required. Such control center or panel shall display a graphic indicating the portions of the building served by each post-fire smoke purge system. When a system is zoned into areas of operation less than the entire building, each zone shall have an individual control. Fire Department manual controls of post-fire smoke purge systems shall not override the manual or automatic operation of the smoke control system. Such Fire Department manual controls shall override the fire shutdown signal from the fire alarm system.

Interior exit stairways or ramps or exit passageways shall not be used as a portion of the post-fire smoke purge system in occupancies other than Group R-2. Doors in interior exit stairways or ramps or exit passageways shall not be permitted to be used as a portion of the post-fire smoke purge system. Air transfer and duct openings associated with the post-fire smoke purge system shall not be permitted in the interior exit stairway or ramp or exit passageway.