Existing office buildings that are 100 feet or more in height must have at least how many smoke shafts for venting smoke and heat?

In existing office buildings that are 100 feet or more in height, building codes require at least one smoke shaft to effectively vent smoke and heat during a fire incident. This requirement is crucial to ensure safe egress for occupants and to mitigate the risks associated with smoke inhalation and fire spread. Smoke shafts are vertical passages that allow smoke to rise and exit the building, helping to maintain clear paths for evacuating individuals and aiding firefighters in their efforts to control the situation.

Having at least one smoke shaft is deemed essential by fire safety regulations, as it facilitates the movement of smoke upwards and out of the building, which is a vital component of fire protection measures in taller structures. This minimizes the danger presented by smoke and heat to both occupants and emergency responders.