What phenomenon becomes more noticeable in buildings that are 60 feet or more in height?

The stack effect, also known as the chimney effect, becomes increasingly noticeable in taller buildings, particularly those 60 feet or more in height. This phenomenon occurs due to the temperature differences between the indoor environment and the outside air, which creates a pressure difference. As warm air rises through the building, it creates a vacuum effect at the lower levels, drawing cooler air in from outside.

In taller buildings, this effect can lead to significant challenges during fire operations, as it can influence how smoke and heat travel through the structure. Understanding the stack effect is crucial for fire officers because it can affect smoke movement, visibility, and the spread of fire within a multi-story building. Additionally, recognizing that this effect is more pronounced in larger structures helps in strategizing ventilation techniques and managing occupant evacuation more effectively.

In contrast, while backdraft, flashover, and fire whirls also present significant hazards in firefighting contexts, they are not specifically linked to the height of buildings in the same way that the stack effect is.