Short course

Principles of Smoke Control and Management

Short course on smoke control engineering methods in buildings, covering smoke dynamics and design calculation methods outlined in BS 7974 Application of fire safety engineering principles (Part 2) and BS EN 12101 Smoke and heat control systems, along with the application of CFD tools, including the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) and the commercial software Pyrosim.

Overview

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of smoke control and management in buildings. It covers the fundamental behaviour of smoke, including key concepts such as buoyancy, stratification, and smoke movement. Participants will explore smoke dynamics using the methodologies outlined in BS 7974 Part 2, and elements of tenability design such as temperature, visibility, and toxicity. The course examines the core design principles of smoke control engineering, enabling participants to understand and evaluate a range of strategies, including natural ventilation, mechanical extraction, pressurisation systems, and zoned smoke control approaches. A practical component introduces participants to Pyrosim, a graphical interface for Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), where they will model and assess fire and smoke scenarios. Participants will develop an understanding of how to simulate smoke movement and evaluate the performance of ventilation and pressurisation systems in realistic building conditions.

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the fundamental principles of smoke movement in buildings, including buoyancy, stratification, and the impact of ventilation.

  • Interpret and apply the key guidance and design approaches outlined in BS 7974 Part 2 for smoke control and management.

  • Evaluate different smoke control strategies (natural, mechanical, and pressurisation) in relation to building design and fire scenarios.

  • Develop and analyse a basic fire and smoke model using FDS, and interpret outputs such as temperature, visibility, and smoke layer height in the context of tenability criteria.

Who would benefit?

This course is aimed at a broad audience within engineering and the built environment who may have responsibilities related to smoke management, smoke control design, or its evaluation:   

  • Fire engineers and fire safety professionals
  • Building engineers, and Built environment professionals
  • Member of fire services across the country
  • Engineering companies (civil, mechanical, electrical)
  • Recent graduates of engineering and built environment programs
  • Regulatory organisations (Building Safety Regulator staffs)
  • Architect and Architecture technologists, architecture companies.
  • City councils
  • Government sections
  • Graduates from engineering and architecture disciplines with an interest in, or responsibilities related to, fire engineering

Participants are expected to have a good knowledge of fire dynamics and fire modelling, or to have completed a recognised CPD course in these areas.

Schedule & Location

Session 1: Wednesday 25 November

Session 2: Thursday 26 November

Session 3: Friday 27 November

Location

Birmingham City University

Millenium Point, Computer Lab,

Birmingham, B5 5JU

Fees and enrolment

Level: CPD 

Cost: £1,500 (inc VAT)

If you're interested in finding out more about this course or would like more information before you enrol, please register your interest and we'll be in touch with more information.