Question

In high-rise buildings, the method adopted to prevent ingress of smoke in an enclosed fire staircase is \underline{\hspace{2cm}}.

• A. Polarization
• B. Pressurization
• C. Perpetuation
• D. Fumigation

Hint:

Always remember: In fire staircases, pressurization = safety. Without it, smoke easily seeps into escape routes, causing casualties.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Problem in fire safety.
In case of fire, smoke spread is a bigger killer than the flames themselves. It causes suffocation, reduces visibility, and prevents safe evacuation. Enclosed fire staircases in high-rise buildings must be kept free of smoke at all times.

Step 2: Principle of smoke prevention.
Smoke naturally drifts from high-pressure zones (fire-affected areas) to low-pressure zones (staircases). If we can maintain higher air pressure inside the staircase shaft, smoke will not be able to enter.

Step 3: Definition of pressurization.
Pressurization means mechanical fans continuously pump fresh air into the staircase shaft, ensuring: \[ P_{\text{staircase}} > P_{\text{adjacent rooms}} \] Thus, airflow direction is always outward from staircase to rooms, preventing smoke ingress.

Step 4: Elimination of wrong options.
- (A) Polarization → electrical phenomenon, irrelevant here.
- (C) Perpetuation → means continuation, not applicable to fire design.
- (D) Fumigation → use of chemicals for pest control, unrelated.

Step 5: Conclude.
Only pressurization directly solves the problem.

Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{Pressurization}} \]