Fire and smoke control in naturally ventilated buildings

There is a developing interest in achieving low-energy, naturally ventilated, non-domestic buildings in significant numbers over a relatively short period that is driven by the government's commitment to achieve reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and building owners' interests in reducing life cycle costs. The presumption is that this is possible within the current regulatory context. However, design for natural ventilation of public buildings is still innovative, at least within the regulatory framework. Two case studies involving the implementation of natural ventilation schemes indicate the concern and barriers raised by local authority Building Control departments, the fire authorities and various prospective insurers in response to design proposals. The design strategies devised fell outside the provisions of the prevailing codes and regulations in their approach to ensuring safe and effective fire control and smoke clearance using natural ventilation. The destabilizing effects of the current regulatory system impact negatively on the use of natural ventilation and hinder innovation. Schemes proposing to incorporate natural ventilation may be rejected through risk- and value-engineering exercises because of perceived uncertainties about compliance with current fire regulations and codes, and the time and cost implications of embarking on an exercise to prove at least equivalence in the creation of a safe environment.