In a smoke control system, combination fire/smoke dampers should not be activated by what, unless secondary to the smoke management system controls?

In a smoke control system, it is essential for the combination fire/smoke dampers to operate effectively and reliably to ensure the safety of the building's occupants. These dampers are designed to restrict the movement of smoke and fire, allowing for better management and control of smoke during an emergency.

Local area smoke detection should not directly activate the dampers because it can lead to premature or unnecessary activation. This might cause the dampers to close too frequently or inappropriately, potentially disrupting the overall smoke management strategy. The smoke control system is designed to function based on a comprehensive assessment of multiple factors, including broader environmental conditions and the status of other components of the smoke management system. Therefore, activation should ideally be based on dedicated smoke management controls rather than localized responses.

Other systems, such as heat sensors, manual pull stations, and security alarms, may serve specific roles in alerting for the presence of fire or security breaches. However, logic dictates that local area smoke detection, if used independently, could undermine the overall effectiveness of the smoke control system, as it could trigger dampers in isolated pockets rather than taking a more coordinated approach based on the entire system's assessment.