This document applies to smoke control systems in buildings of special type and use (special-purpose buildings), taking into account characteristic fire curves. It points out the potential applications and limitations of, as well as requirements to be met by, engineering-grade calculation methods for dimensioning (VDI 6019 Part 2, to be published) and provides guidance in verifying effectiveness. This guideline does not deal with safety pressurisation and flushing installations or similar systems which may also serve to secure escape routes (necessary corridors and staircases) against smoke. In addition to buildings, this document can also be applied to, e.g., subterranean traffic systems (such as tunnels) and vehicles (such as vessels). The dimensioning method for the determination of fire curves, as given in Section 3, can also be used for other verifications of compliance with fire-protection regulations (e.g. for thermal analyses of building elements).