As the City and County of Denver prepares to transition to its 2025 Building and Fire Code amendments in January 2026, significant changes are on the horizon—especially when it comes to smoke control system design. One of the most important updates involves a renewed focus on smoke control rational analysis, which will become a key requirement for projects involving smoke control systems in atria, underground buildings, smokeproof enclosures (stair pressurization), smoke-protected assembly seating, windowless buildings, and pressurized elevator hoistways.
At TERPconsulting, our licensed fire protection engineers and consultants are at the forefront of this shift, having served on the Denver Fire Code committee that has been working on the amendments. Specifically, we offer specialized smoke control rational analysis services in Denver to ensure code compliance, life safety, and efficient system design.
What is Smoke Control Rational Analysis?
A rational analysis is a technical evaluation that determines how smoke control systems will perform during a fire event. Required under Section 909 of the International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC), this analysis is particularly relevant for complex buildings. It is influenced by industry standards, including NFPA 92—Standard for Smoke Control Systems. In the context of the 2025 edition of the Denver Fire Code, the use of a rational analysis replaces outdated prescriptive methods, offering a tailored and performance-based approach to smoke control. This change ensures that system designs are not only compliant but also more effective in real-world scenarios.
Why is Rational Analysis important in Denver?
Denver’s elevation, climate, and urban density introduce unique challenges for smoke control system performance. With the 2025 code changes, local projects must now follow modern modeling standards to determine airflow rates, fan sizes, and pass/fail criteria for pressurization and exhaust systems. That’s where TERPconsulting’s expertise in Denver rational analysis comes into play.
Software Platforms used in Smoke Control Rational Analysis
Depending on the building geometry and smoke control strategy, different modeling tools are used during the rational analysis process:
- CFAST for basic atrium smoke layer calculations
- CONTAM is a multizone airflow analysis for stairwell and elevator shaft pressurization modeling
- CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) for complex geometries and advanced smoke movement analysis using Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS)
- Algebraic Calculations and Correlations for simple atrium smoke layer calculations and stair pressurization systems
TERPconsulting’s modeling team is proficient in applying the right tools for the project, providing documentation and modeling that meet Denver fire code requirements.
Smoke Control Strategies Evaluated
During a smoke control rational analysis, TERPconsulting performs an evaluation using one of the following design strategies:
- Pressurization Method – commonly used for smokeproof enclosures (e.g. pressurized stairs) in high-rise buildings
- Exhaust Method – often used for atrium smoke control and smoke-protected assembly seating
- Air Flow Design Method – a less common but sometimes necessary hybrid approach
Each system is analyzed for factors like stack effect, wind loading, fire temperature, climate, and mechanical interfacing—ensuring a comprehensive and code-compliant result.
Why choose TERPconsulting for Rational Analysis in Denver?
- Local expertise in Denver’s code amendment process
- Involvement in 2025 Denver Fire Code development
- Proven track record performing rational analysis across a range of project types
- Mastery of CONTAM, CFAST, CFD (i.e. FDS), and other essential modeling platforms
- Ability to integrate modeling into permit submittals and AHJ reviews
Prepare for the 2025 Code Changes Now
If your project in Denver involves smoke control systems—whether for a new high-rise, a complex renovation, or an underground facility—it’s time to plan for the 2025 code cycle as the codes is currently published and already in effect (design teams have a grace period between now and the end of the year to utilize the previous edition of the code or the 2025 edition). TERPconsulting is your partner for smoke control rational analysis in Denver, offering technical insight, regulatory compliance, and industry-leading modeling services.
Contact TERPconsulting today to discuss your project’s rational analysis needs and get ahead of the 2025 Denver Building and Fire Code adoption.