Division B
Acceptable Solutions

Part 7 — Fire Emergency Systems in High Buildings

Section 7.3. Inspections and Test Procedures for Smoke Control Measures

7.3.1. General

7.3.1.1. Application

1) The test procedures described in Subsections 7.3.2. to 7.3.15., as appropriate to the fire safety measure being used, shall be carried out in addition to those required by Sections 7.1. and 7.2., unless otherwise specified in the fire safety plan. (See Appendix A.)

7.3.1.2. Doors in Means of Egress

1) Where vestibules or stairshafts are pressurized as a means of smoke control, all doors in the path of exit travel shall be tested to ensure that they can be operated as required in Article 2.7.2.1. when the entire smoke control system is being tested.

7.3.2. Measure A

7.3.2.1. Test Procedures

1) Where Measure A is used to limit smoke movement as provided in Commentary C of the User's Guide – NBC 1995 (Part 3),

a) switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested to ensure that

i) closures to vent openings in vertical service spaces that are required by Sentence (6)^* of Measure A open automatically and remain open, and

ii) the mechanical air supply to below grade stairshafts is initiated as provided in Sentence (3)^* of Measure A,

b) closures in openings to the outdoors in vertical service spaces that are required by Sentence (6)^* of Measure A shall be tested to ensure that they will operate as required,

c) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in above grade stairshafts shall be tested to ensure that they can be opened manually and will remain open as provided in Sentence (2)^* of Measure A, and

d) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in below grade stairshafts shall be tested to ensure that they will open automatically, if such means is provided, and remain open when air is being injected into the stairshaft.

7.3.3. Measure B

7.3.3.1. Test Procedures

1) Where Measure B is used to limit smoke movement as provided in Commentary C of the User's Guide – NBC 1995 (Part 3),

a) switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested at intervals conforming to Article 7.2.1.1. to ensure that

i) dampers in air-handling systems that serve more than 2 storeys close automatically and remain closed as provided in Sentence (7)^* of Measure B, and

ii) closures to vent openings in vertical service spaces that are required by Sentences (5)^* and (6)^* of Measure B open automatically and remain open,

b) switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested to ensure that the mechanical air supply to below grade stairshafts is initiated as provided in Sentence (3)^* of Measure B,

c) closures in openings to the outdoors in vertical service spaces that are required by Sentence (5)^* of Measure B shall be tested at intervals conforming to Article 7.2.1.1. to ensure that they will operate as required, and

d) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in below grade stairshafts shall be tested to ensure that they open automatically, if such means is provided, and remain open when air is being injected into the stairshaft as required by Sentence (3)^* of Measure B.

7.3.4. Measure C

7.3.4.1. Test Procedures

1) Where Measure C is used to limit smoke movement as provided in Commentary C of the User's Guide – NBC 1995 (Part 3),

a) switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested to ensure that the mechanical air supply to below grade stairshafts is initiated as provided in Sentence (3)^* of Measure C, and

b) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in below grade stairshafts shall be tested to ensure that they open automatically, if such means is provided, and remain open when air is being injected into the stairshafts.

7.3.5. Measure D

7.3.5.1. Test Procedures

1) Where Measure D is used to limit smoke movement as provided in Commentary C of the User's Guide – NBC 1995 (Part 3),

a) switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested at intervals conforming to Article 7.2.1.1. to ensure that

i) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in vestibules, vertical service spaces and elevator shafts open automatically and remain open as provided in Sentences (6)^*, (10)^*, (12)^* and (13)^* of Measure D, and

ii) dampers in air-handling systems that serve more than 2 storeys close automatically and remain closed as provided in Sentence (16)^* of Measure D,

b) switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested to ensure that the mechanical air supply to vestibules and below grade stairshafts is initiated as provided in Sentence (5)^* of Measure D,

c) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in vertical service spaces or at the top of elevator shafts as required by Sentences (10)^*, (12)^* and (13)^* of Measure D shall be tested at intervals conforming to Article 7.2.1.1. to ensure that they will operate as required,

d) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in above grade stairshafts and at the street entrance floor of firefighters' elevator shafts shall be tested to ensure that they can be opened manually and remain open as provided in Sentences (7)^* and (11)^* of Measure D, and

e) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in below grade stairshafts shall be tested to ensure that they open automatically, if such means is provided, when air is being injected into the stairshafts as required by Sentence (8)^* of Measure D.

2) Pressurized vestibules shall be tested in different seasons by a pressure sensor or by tracer smoke at intervals not greater than 2 years and after any alteration to the building, to ensure that movement of air is from the vestibules to the floor areas on all storeys.

7.3.6. Measure E

7.3.6.1. Test Procedures

1) Where Measure E is used to limit smoke movement as provided in Commentary C of the User's Guide – NBC 1995 (Part 3),

a) switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested at intervals conforming to Article 7.2.1.1. to ensure that closures in vent openings to the outdoors in vestibules and firefighters' elevator shafts that are required by Sentences (4)^* and (9)^* of Measure E will open automatically and remain open,

b) switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested to ensure that the mechanical air supply to vestibules and below grade stairshafts is initiated as provided in Sentences (4)^* and (7)^* of Measure E,

c) closures in vent openings to the outdoors at the top of firefighters' elevator shafts that are required by Sentence (9)^* of Measure E shall be tested to ensure that they will operate as required,

d) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in above grade stairshafts and at the street entrance floor of firefighters' elevator shafts that are required by Sentences (6)^* and (10)^* of Measure E shall be tested to ensure that they can be opened manually and will remain open, and

e) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in below grade stairshafts shall be tested to ensure that they will open automatically, if such means is provided, and remain open when air is being injected into the stairshafts as required by Sentence (7)^* of Measure E.

2) Pressurized vestibules shall be tested in different seasons by pressure sensor or by tracer smoke at intervals not greater than 2 years and after any alteration to the building, to ensure that movement of air is from the vestibules to the floor areas on all storeys.

7.3.7. Measure F

7.3.7.1. Test Procedures

1) Where Measure F is used to limit smoke movement as provided in Commentary C of the User's Guide – NBC 1995 (Part 3),

a) switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested at intervals conforming to Article 7.2.1.1. to ensure that

i) closures to vent openings to the outdoors in vertical service spaces, elevator shafts and below grade floor areas that are required by Sentences (6)^* and (10)^* of Measure F open automatically and remain open, and

ii) dampers in air-handling systems that serve more than 2 storeys close automatically and remain closed as provided in Sentence (12)^* of Measure F,

b) switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested to ensure that the mechanical air supply to stairshafts and elevator shafts is initiated as provided in Sentences (2),^* (3)^* and (4)^* of Measure F,

c) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in vertical service spaces or elevator shafts that are required by Sentence (12)^* of Measure F shall be tested at intervals conforming to Article 7.2.1.1. to ensure that they will operate as required, and

d) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in stairshafts shall be tested to ensure that they open automatically, if such means is provided, and remain open when the mechanical air supply to the stairshafts is initiated as provided in Sentences (2)^* and (3)^* of Measure F.

2) Pressurized stair and elevator shafts shall be tested in different seasons by a pressure sensor or tracer smoke at intervals not greater than 2 years and after any alteration to the building, to ensure that the movement of air is from the stair or elevator shafts to the floor areas on all storeys.

7.3.8. Measure G

7.3.8.1. Test Procedures

1) Where Measure G is used to limit smoke movement as provided in Commentary C of the User's Guide – NBC 1995 (Part 3),

a) switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested to ensure that

i) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in below grade floor areas that are required by Sentence (6)^* of Measure G open automatically and remain open, and

ii) the mechanical air supply to stairshafts and elevator shafts is initiated as provided in Sentences (2),^* (3)^* and (4)^* of Measure G, and

b) closures in openings to the outdoors in stairshafts shall be tested to ensure that they open automatically, if such means is provided, and remain open when the air supply to the stairshafts is initiated as provided in Sentences (2)^* and (3)^* of Measure G.

2) Pressurized stair and elevator shafts shall be tested in different seasons by a pressure sensor or tracer smoke at intervals not greater than 2 years and after any alteration to the building, to ensure that the movement of air is from the stair or elevator shafts to the floor areas on all storeys.

7.3.9. Measure H

7.3.9.1. Test Procedures

1) Where Measure H is used to limit smoke movement as provided in Commentary C of the User's Guide – NBC 1995 (Part 3), switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested at intervals conforming to Article 7.2.1.1. to ensure that

a) closures in vent openings to the outdoors or into smoke shafts on each floor will open automatically and remain open as provided in Sentence (6)^* of Measure H,

b) dampers in return air and exhaust ducts will close automatically and remain closed as provided in Sentence (5)^* of Measure H,

c) return air and exhaust fans are stopped and supply fans will provide air to all floor areas and stairshafts as provided in Sentence (3)^* of Measure H, and

d) closures in all openings in external walls and roofs will close automatically and remain closed as provided in Sentence (4)^* of Measure H.

2) Pressurized vestibules at or near grade level shall be tested by a pressure sensor or tracer smoke in different seasons at intervals not greater than 2 years and after any alteration to the building, when the building is pressurized but without venting of the fire floor, to ensure that the direction of air movement is from the building to the outdoors.

7.3.10. Measure I

7.3.10.1. Test Procedures

1) Where Measure I is used to limit smoke movement as provided in Commentary C of the User's Guide – NBC 1995 (Part 3), switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested at intervals conforming to Article 7.2.1.1. to ensure that

a) dampers in air-handling systems that serve more than 2 storeys will close automatically and remain closed as provided in Sentence (8)^* of Measure I,

b) closures in openings in the walls and roof of the central core and in shafts within the core will close automatically and remain closed as provided in Sentence (3)^* of Measure I,

c) return air fans are stopped and supply fans will provide air to the central core as provided in Sentence (2)^* of Measure I,

d) closures in vent openings to the outdoors and into smoke shafts from each floor area will open automatically and remain open as provided in Sentence (4)^* of Measure I,

e) air movement is initiated in an exhaust system used for venting as provided in Sentence (4)^* of Measure I, and

f) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in vertical service spaces outside the central core that are required by Sentence (6)^* of Measure I will open automatically and remain open.

2) The pressurized core shall be tested at or near grade in different seasons by a pressure sensor or tracer smoke at intervals not greater than 2 years and after any alteration to the building, to ensure that movement of air is from the pressurized core to the outdoors on all storeys.

7.3.11. Measure J

7.3.11.1. Test Procedures

1) Where Measure J is used to limit smoke movement as provided in Commentary C of the User's Guide – NBC 1995 (Part 3), switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested at intervals conforming to Article 7.2.1.1. to ensure that

a) closures in openings in the walls and roofs of the central core and in shafts within the core will close automatically and remain closed as provided in Sentence (3)^* of Measure J, and

b) return-air fans are stopped and supply fans will provide air to the central core as provided in Sentence (2)^* of Measure J.

2) The pressurized core shall be tested at or near grade in different seasons by a pressure sensor or tracer smoke at intervals not greater than 2 years and after any alteration to the building, to ensure that the movement of air is from the pressurized core to the outdoors on all storeys.

7.3.12. Measure K

7.3.12.1. Test Procedures

1) Where Measure K is used to limit smoke movement as provided in Commentary C of the User's Guide – NBC 1995 (Part 3),

a) switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested at intervals conforming to Article 7.2.1.1. to ensure that

i) the mechanical air supply to vestibules is initiated as provided in Sentences (11)^* and (15)^* of Measure K, and

ii) doors to vestibules, if these are normally held open, will close automatically and remain closed as provided in Sentence (1)^* of Measure K, and

b) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in above grade stairshafts and in vented vestibules shall be tested to ensure that they can be opened manually and will remain open as provided in Sentences (11)^* and (13)^* of Measure K.

2) Pressurized vestibules shall be tested in different seasons by a pressure sensor or tracer smoke at intervals not greater than 2 years and after any alteration to the building, to ensure that the movement of air is from the vestibules to the floor areas on all storeys.

7.3.13. Measure L

7.3.13.1. Test Procedures

1) Where Measure L is used to limit smoke movement as provided in Commentary C of the User's Guide – NBC 1995 (Part 3),

a) switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested at intervals conforming to Article 7.2.1.1. to ensure that

i) doors to vestibules and areas of refuge, if these are normally held open, will close automatically and remain closed as provided in Sentence (8)^* of Measure L, and

ii) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in elevator shafts that are required by Sentence (16)^* of Measure L will open automatically and remain open,

b) switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested to ensure that the air supply to the areas of refuge, vestibules and below grade stairshafts is initiated as provided in Sentences (9),^* (10),^* (11)^* and (14)^* of Measure L,

c) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in below grade stairshafts shall be tested to ensure that they open automatically and remain open when the air is being injected into the stairshaft, and

d) vent openings to the outdoors in above grade stairshafts and at the street entrance floor of firefighters' elevator shafts shall be tested to ensure that they can be opened manually and will remain open as provided in Sentence (13)^* of Measure L.

2) Vestibules and areas of refuge shall be tested in different seasons by a pressure sensor or tracer smoke at intervals not greater than 2 years and after any alteration to the building, to ensure that the movement of air is from the areas of refuge or vestibules to the floor areas on all storeys.

7.3.14. Measure M

7.3.14.1. Test Procedures

1) Where Measure M is used to limit smoke movement as provided in Commentary C of the User's Guide – NBC 1995 (Part 3),

a) switches at the central alarm and control facility shall be tested to ensure that the mechanical air supply to below grade stairshafts is initiated as provided in Sentence (3)^* of Measure M, and

b) vent openings to the outdoors in above grade stairshafts shall be tested to ensure that they can be opened manually and will remain open as provided in Sentence (2)^* of Measure M.

7.3.15. Measure N

7.3.15.1. Test Procedures

1) Where Measure N is used to limit smoke movement from one building to another of connected buildings as provided in Measure N of Commentary C of the User's Guide – NBC 1995 (Part 3),

a) switches to initiate the air supply to the vestibules shall be tested to ensure that the air supply is initiated as provided in Sentence (3)^* of Measure N, and

b) closures in vent openings to the outdoors in vestibules shall be tested to ensure that they will open as provided in Sentence (3)^* of Measure N.

2) Pressurized vestibules shall be tested in different seasons by a pressure sensor or tracer smoke at intervals not greater than 2 years and after any alteration to the building, to ensure that the movement of air is from the vestibules to adjacent floor areas on all storeys.