What happens to smoke that rises above 25 feet due to stratification?

When smoke rises due to stratification, it can be influenced by various factors, including temperature, airflow, and the physical characteristics of the smoke itself. In a typical environment, smoke can rise and accumulate in layers as it encounters different temperatures at various heights, often leading to areas where the smoke can become trapped.

At heights above 25 feet, the behavior of smoke tends to change significantly. When it reaches this level, it is less likely to continue rising further. This is primarily due to the cooling effects of the upper air strata, which can cause the smoke to stabilize and not rise above that threshold. Additionally, as smoke cools, it can become less buoyant, contributing to its tendency to remain below the ceiling rather than continuing to rise.

Thus, the correct understanding is that smoke may not rise above 25 feet due to these stratification effects, which can impact its behavior in a fire scenario and subsequently influence the design and implementation of fire alarm and detection systems.