DESIGN ALERT ON ELEVATOR SMOKE VENT ING
ISSUE:
Need for a smoke venting system in the elevator hoistway.
BACKGROUND:
On several projects, the A/E's have failed to show smoke venting systems for the
elevator hoistways resulting in change orders during construction.
DISCUSSION:
A smoke venting system is required for the elevator hoistway to comply with rule 100.4
of ANSI.1, Elevator Safety Code. This was missed on several projects due to lack of
coordination between different trades. VA mechanical standard detail 15900-18 shows
various components that are required and involve various trades. For instance, a louver
is provided under architectural at the top of the hoistway with a two position automatic
damper under mechanical, and a smoke detector is provided under electrical with a 120
volt circuit for damper control and fire alarm panel. All these items have to be shown by
various trades to make it work.
RECOMMENDATIONS/CONCLUSION:
1. Each trade should insure during the design to provide their respective items.
2. The HVAC reviewer should remind the mechanical A/E to include detail 15900-18
with temperature control diagrams and coordinate louver requirements with the
architect and a 120 volt circuit by the electrical engineer.
3. Louver size shall be equal to 3% of the floor area of the hoistway with a minimum
area of 3 square feet.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFOR MATION:
Contact Satish Sehgal at 202.565.5032 in the Standards Service (187C).
13 April 1995
FM-187C-DA32
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