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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 6. Criminal Justice And Corrections
Agency 15. State Board of Local and Regional Jails
Chapter 81. Standards for Planning, Design, Construction, and Reimbursement of Local Correctional Facilities
12/26/2024

6VAC15-81-1020. Smoke control.

A. A smoke control system shall be provided for dormitory and celled areas such as intake, medical, special purpose, and general population housing.

B. The pressurization method, with a minimum of 24 air changes per hour of exhaust and 20 air changes per hour of makeup air, is preferred, but the exhaust method may be used.

C. Exit corridors shall be positively pressurized to minimize smoke migration into the area and keep the path of egress clear of smoke.

D. A smoke test shall be performed prior to acceptance of the building. The local fire department, local building official, facility safety officer, or their designees shall be invited to witness the smoke tests, and the tests shall be witnessed by the reviewing authority. The areas to be tested shall be at least one each of a typical dormitory and one of each typical celled area, such as intake, medical, segregation and each configuration of general housing, as determined by the reviewing authority.

E. Smoke machines to perform the tests shall be furnished by the owner or the owner's contractor. Smoke machines provided shall be of sufficient size and capacity to perform the tests in a short period of time.

F. Understanding that there are many variables involved, the desired results of the tests are as follows: from start of smoke machine to system alarm shall be two minutes or less; from system alarm to system activation shall be 30 seconds or less; from system activation to distinguish an egress path from the center of the room to an exit shall be two minutes or less; and from system activation to the space being sufficiently clear to reset the system shall be 30 minutes or less.

Statutory Authority

§§ 53.1-5, 53.1-80, and 53.1-82 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 12, eff. March 8, 2018.

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