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Make-up air, NFPA, and common sense

Make-up air, NFPA, and common sense

Make-up air, NFPA, and common sense

(OP)
I am a novice to NFPA code, but I can't find much that specifically applies to make-up air systems. Common sense would tell me that make-up air systems should not be running during a fire. Let's say that a fire exists in a building such that a hole is created between the buidling and the outside. This would create a negative pressure situation and the make-up air unit is going to try and correct this situation by increasing the air flow, essentially fanning the flames. Yet, through all my Googling and searching, I can't find anything saying that make-up air systems should be interlocked to a building's fire safety system. Can anybody spread some light on this subject?

RE: Make-up air, NFPA, and common sense

Google duct smoke detection. Air Products and Control has a nice primer on duct smoke detection.

Duct smoke detection is required by a number of codes. Depending on where you're at you can find the requirements in the International Mechanical Code, International Fire Code, NFPA 72, NFPA 101, and NFPA 90A or 90B.

RE: Make-up air, NFPA, and common sense

Depends on the criteria that has been designed for fire protection for the building.

Either there is smoke control or not. If is not, then a good solution is that the fire alarm system order to shut down ALL fans and hvac equipment.

RE: Make-up air, NFPA, and common sense

where the spread of smoke and  fire becomes an issue,fire dampers actuated by fusible links rated for particular temperatures are used in ducts.

RE: Make-up air, NFPA, and common sense

Fire dampers can also be actuated by smoke detectors in the duct, or the FACP.   

RE: Make-up air, NFPA, and common sense

Check you State code.  Many states specify that all ventilation fans over a certain size (ie, 2000 CFM) have to be interlocked to turn off in the event of a fire alarm.

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