What term describes the systems used to manage smoke movement in buildings?

The term that describes the systems used to manage smoke movement in buildings is smoke management. Smoke management encompasses a variety of strategies and technologies designed to control smoke during a fire, ensuring safety for occupants and aiding in fire suppression efforts. This includes both active and passive approaches that aim to minimize smoke accumulation, direct smoke to designated exit paths, and maintain tenable conditions in escape routes, thereby enhancing overall life safety.

Smoke management systems work in conjunction with building designs to regulate smoke flow through architectural elements like smoke barriers, smoke vents, and other specialized equipment. This is crucial for maintaining visibility and reducing the inhalation hazard posed by smoke, which can significantly impact evacuation and firefighting operations.

While fire suppression systems are concerned with extinguishing flames, ventilation systems may help in exchanging indoor and outdoor air, and smoke evacuation systems focus on removing smoke from a space. However, smoke management is the broadest term that encompasses all these strategies specifically related to controlling smoke movement in buildings during a fire incident.