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When is Staircase Pressurization required?

In high-rise buildings, the stairs are the most vital mode to exit in case a fire breaks out. It is important for the exit stairs to be free from smoke, and it needs to have features to help the occupants of the building exit swiftly and most importantly safely. It is a mandatory safety code for stairwells in high-rise buildings to be pressurized to keep the smoke out. Cease Fire Solutions is a well-established fire protection company that has years of experience in installing staircase pressurization systems in Doha. To find out more information about our services, speak to our team today.

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Prevent Smoke from Flowing into the Stairwells

The main function of the staircase pressurization systems is to prevent smoke from flowing into the stairwells. However, based on the structure of the building, it is imperative to determine if it is necessary to implement staircase pressurization. Stairwell pressurization is important for high-rise buildings. Stairwell pressurization systems have several purposes, below mentioned are some of them:

• Prevents migration of smile to stairwells, elevator shafts, or similar areas.

• Facilitates fire and safety professionals to help occupants safely evacuate the building, including significantly improving their visibility.

• Reduces damage to property and saves lives.

• Creates a safe environment for occupants to safely evacuate the building in the event of a fire.

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What are High-Rise Buildings and Smokeproof Enclosures?

A high-rise building is a building type which has an occupied floor of more than 75 feet above the lowest level for fire department vehicles to access. A smokeproof enclosure is an exit stairway or ramp constructed to easily combustible products in the event a fire breaks out in parts of the building where the enclosure is limited. For further enquiries about our fire-fighting solutions, please do not hesitate to consult with our expert team today. We offer services throughout Doha.

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When is Staircase Pressurization Required?

As mentioned above, staircase pressurization systems are commonly installed in high-rise buildings. However, as alluded to earlier, simply because a building meets the definition of a high-rise building, it doesn’t need to be required for every stairwell. The building code simply states that every exit stair should be more than 75 feet above the lowest level for the fire department to access. For instance, if the stairs serve only a couple of stories, it is not mandatory for the building to meet the requirements for a smokeproof enclosure. Likewise, for underground buildings, every stairway serving floor level that is more than 30 feet below the exit level would also need a smokeproof enclosure.

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What is the Importance of a Smokeproof Enclosure?

The main reason for a smokeproof enclosure is to prevent smoke from migrating from the area surrounding the stairs. A simple way this can be achieved is by providing an outside balcony that acts as a buffer zone where smoke can disappear and not migrate into the stair enclosure. The outside balcony acts as a natural ventilator to dissipate any incoming smoke. Based on the geometry of the building or the architect’s vision, a vestibule or an exterior exit balcony is not the best option. In this case, a stairwell pressurization system is an alternative that is approved by the building code. However, it can be quite a stretch if one mentions that staircase pressurization is not a building code requirement. This fire safety device is a popular alternative to providing the required smokeproof enclosures.

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The Smoke Control Rational Analysis

A staircase pressurization system is considered a smoke control system and it is subjected to several requirements as per the building code. To take advantage of the stairwell pressurization system, it is important to conduct a rational analysis which should be prepared by a qualified professional. To find out more details about stair pressurization systems in Doha, call our team today.

Here at Cease Fire Solutions, our team can help you understand when stairwell pressurization is needed as it is subject to various rules and regulations. If you are unsure about when to implement it, do not hesitate to reach out to our team. They can help determine if staircase pressurization is required and help with the process. Additionally, our team of professionals provide regular updates on fire protection and best safety practices, codes and much more. We are the best fire protection company in Doha.

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If you wish to learn more about staircase pressurization or our comprehensive fire-fighting solutions, please free to reach out to our team at +974 40389783

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