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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.