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NFPA 204, Standard for Smoke and Heat Venting

2021 NFPA 204 Standard - Current Edition
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  • Description

    Apply NFPA 204 for smoke and heat venting systems to help prevent the accumulation of products of combustion within buildings.

    Engineers developing fire protection schemes and enforcers charged with approving plans can use NFPA 204, Standard for Smoke and Heat Venting, to learn the critical requirements and find additional information addressing the design of venting systems for emergency venting of products of combustion.

    The requirements in NFPA 204 include the following:

    • Fundamentals, including design objectives, design basis, and determination of contents
    • Vents
    • Air inlets
    • Draft curtains
    • Fire design, including steady (limited-growth) fires and growing (continuous-growth) fires
    • Sizing vents
    • Mechanical smoke exhaust systems
    • Venting in sprinklered buildings
    • Inspection and maintenance
    • Design documentation

    The standard's manual calculation and computer-modeled solution methods can aid in design. In addition, the equations and models can help a designer determine the tools necessary to develop vent designs based on selected performance objectives related to a specific building or a specific set of circumstances.

    Revisions keep NFPA 204 consistent with other NFPA® codes and standards.

    In the 2021 edition of NFPA 204, the requirements for sprinkler waterflow activating automatic smoke vents have been removed. Further, SI unit (metric) conversations have been added to Annex C, and the informational references have been updated.

    Engineers and architects use NFPA 204 to improve fire protection in buildings where smoke and heat venting is used. Facility managers and inspectors also rely on NFPA 204 to help ensure systems are maintained so they can function as designed. (Print, 96 pp., 2021)

    Order the latest edition of NFPA 204, Standard for Smoke and Heat Venting, today.

  • Table of Contents (2021 Current Edition)

    NFPA® 204 Standard for Smoke and Heat Venting, 2021 Edition

    Chapter 1 Administration
    1.1 Scope.
    1.2 Purpose. (Reserved)
    1.3 Application.
    1.4 Retroactivity.
    1.5 Equivalency.
    1.6 Units and Formulas.
    Chapter 2 Referenced Publications
    2.1 General.
    2.2 NFPA Publications.
    2.3 Other Publications.
    2.4 References for Extracts in Mandatory Sections.
    Chapter 3 Definitions
    3.1 General.
    3.2 NFPA Official Definitions.
    3.3 General Definitions.
    Chapter 4 Fundamentals
    4.1 Design Objectives.
    4.2 Design Basis.
    4.3 Determination of Contents Hazard.
    4.4 Venting.
    4.5 Smoke Production.
    4.6 Vent Flows.
    Chapter 5 Vents
    5.1 Listed Vents.
    5.2 Vent Design Constraints.
    5.3 Methods of Operation.
    5.4 Dimensions and Spacing of Vents.
    5.5 Mechanical Smoke Exhaust Systems.
    Chapter 6 Air Inlets
    6.1 General.
    6.2 Construction.
    6.3 Location.
    6.4 Installation.
    6.5 Methods of Operation.
    6.6 Dimensions and Spacing of Air Inlets.
    6.7 Air Paths.
    Chapter 7 Draft Curtains
    7.1 General.
    7.2 Construction.
    7.3 Location and Depth.
    7.4 Spacing.
    Chapter 8 The Design Fire
    8.1 General.
    8.2 Steady (Limited-Growth) Fires.
    8.3 Growing (Continuous-Growth) Fires.
    Chapter 9 Sizing Vents
    9.1 General.
    9.2 Hand Calculations.
    9.3 Models.
    Chapter 10 Mechanical Smoke Exhaust Systems
    10.1 General.
    10.2 Exhaust Rates.
    10.3 Fire Exposure.
    10.4 Number of Exhaust Inlets.
    10.5 Intake Air.
    Chapter 11 Venting in Sprinklered Buildings
    11.1 Design.
    11.2 Automatic Sprinkler Systems.
    11.3 Storage Occupancies Protected by Control Mode Sprinklers.
    Chapter 12 Inspection and Maintenance
    12.1 General.
    12.2 Requirements.
    12.3 Inspection, Maintenance, and Acceptance Testing.
    12.4 Conduct and Observation of Operational Tests.
    12.5 Air Inlets.
    12.6 Ice and Snow Removal.
    Chapter 13 Design Documentation
    13.1 Documentation Required.
    Annex A Explanatory Material
    Annex B The Theoretical Basis of LAVENT
    Annex C User Guide for the LAVENT Computer Code
    Annex D Sample Problem Using Engineering Equations (Hand Calculations) and LAVENT
    Annex E Predicting the Rate of Heat Release of Fires
    Annex F Design Information
    Annex G Informational References
  • Prior Editions

    2018 Edition

    Apply NFPA 204 for smoke and heat venting systems that work effectively to prevent build up of combustion products.

    Engineers developing fire protection schemes and enforcers charged with plans approval need NFPA 204, Standard for Smoke and Heat Venting, featuring critical requirements and additional information addressing design of venting systems for the emergency venting of products of combustion from fires in buildings.

    Requirements cover:

    • Fundamentals, including design objectives, design basis, and determination of contents
    • Vents
    • Air inlets
    • Draft curtains
    • The Design Fire, including steady (limited-growth) fires and growing (continuous-growth) fires
    • Sizing vents
    • Mechanical smoke exhaust systems
    • Venting in sprinklered buildings
    • Inspection and maintenance
    • Design documentation

    The Standard's manual and computer-modeled solution methods aid in design calculations. The equations or models provide the designer with the necessary tools to develop vent designs based on selected performance objectives related to a specific building and a specific set of circumstances.

    Revisions keep the NFPA 204 consistent with other NFPA® codes and standards.

    In addition to updated references, the 2018 edition also includes a correction to an Annex A image and a change to definitions. Engineers and architects use NFPA 204 to improve fire protection in buildings where smoke and heat venting is used. Facility managers and inspectors also rely on NFPA 204 to ensure systems are maintained so they can function as designed. (Print, 96 pp., 2018)

    2015 Edition

    Apply the 2015 NFPA 204 correctly for smoke and heat venting systems that prevent build up of combustion products.

    Essential for engineers developing fire protection schemes and for enforcers charged with plans approval, the 2015 NFPA 204, Standard for Smoke and Heat Venting applies to the design of venting systems for the emergency venting of products of combustion from fires in buildings. Manual and computer-modeled solution methods aid in design calculations. The equations or models provide the designer with the necessary tools to develop vent designs based on selected performance objectives related to a specific building and a specific set of circumstances.

    Changes in the 2015 edition address:

    • Revised requirements for draft curtain materials, so designers and enforcers can make informed decisions about their acceptability based on the types of hazard. Engineers and architects need this critical Standard to improve fire protection in buildings where smoke and heat venting is used. Facility managers and inspectors also rely on NFPA 204 to ensure systems are maintained so they can function as designed. (Softbound, 86 pp., 2015)
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