Which condition will most likely cause smoke to stratify in a large building?

Smoke stratification in a large building is primarily influenced by the dynamics of air movement and temperature differences. When a sprinkler system is activated, it cools the air and can disrupt the thermal layering of smoke. This cooling effect creates varying density levels within the smoke, often leading to a situation where layers of smoke can settle at different heights due to varying temperature motions. The density differences caused by the heat generated from the fire versus the cooler air from the sprinkler contribute to stratification, allowing smoke to accumulate in specific levels of the building.

This phenomenon can severely impact visibility and air quality, making it a critical condition firefighters need to address when combating a fire in a large structure. Proper understanding of how the activation of a sprinkler system interacts with smoke behavior aids in executing effective ventilation and firefighting strategy.