Which piece of equipment is essential for smoke control in a building?

Smoke control systems are essential for managing and mitigating smoke movement within a building during a fire incident. These systems are designed to prevent smoke from spreading to areas where it could endanger lives or impede evacuation efforts. They can utilize various methods, including smoke vents, pressurization, and exhaust fans, to create safe routes for occupants to exit and to assist fire services in their operations.

While fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and emergency lighting play critical roles in fire safety, they do not specifically address the management of smoke. Fire alarms alert occupants to the presence of smoke or fire, fire extinguishers provide a means of combating small fires, and emergency lighting helps guide people to safety during a power outage. However, none of these equipment types actively control or limit smoke propagation, which is a crucial factor in ensuring safe evacuation and reducing the risk of smoke inhalation, thereby making smoke control systems the key piece of equipment for this purpose.