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Flow path describes the volume between an inlet and an outlet that provides a route for heat and smoke to move from higher-pressure areas toward lower-pressure areas accessible by openings. This connected space governs how hot gases travel as pressure differences drive flow, shaping fire behavior and movement through openings. The other terms don’t specifically name this continuous space between the inlet and outlet: vent path is a more generic vent-related idea, inflow channel isn’t standard terminology, and chimney effect refers to buoyancy-driven vertical movement rather than the connecting volume between openings.