1. Reasons for Amendment

Unlike “Smoke Control Systems for Stairwells and Vestibules of Special Emergency Stairs (NFPC 501A),” the “Fire Safety Performance Standards for Smoke Control Systems (NFPC 501)” does not prescribe a performance verification procedure for smoke control equipment upon completion of installation in habitable or occupiable rooms. This has sparked debates regarding system reliability verifications and accordingly, this Amendment prescribes grounds to verify the performance of smoke control systems in habitable or occupiable rooms against fire safety standards to ensure reliability, and also addresses a number of weaknesses concerning smoke control system dampers and manual actuation devices, etc. that have emerged from the operation of the current system.

2. Major Provisions

A. Prescribe detailed standards for dampers installed in ducts (Article 10-2).

B. Specify manual actuation devices as being manually operable from planned smoke control zones, and prescribe the installation height and other detailed standards (Article 11 (2) and (3)).

C. Prescribe grounds to verify the performance of smoke control systems (Article 11-2).