Principles
Fire costs money. The cost as a consequence of fire, including property damage, human casualties and lost business, was estimated at £2.5 billion. If a fire does occur then occupants must be protected.
SE Controls offers a comprehensive range of natural and powered Smoke Heat and Exhaust Ventilation systems (SHEV) suitable for any size and type of building. Systems are designed to facilitate the safe escape of occupants in the event of a fire and to enable the fire to be fought in its early stages.
Typical Layouts
Commercial buildings such as offices and retail buildings are typically designed with an Atrium to provide an attractive, naturally controlled light and airy space. Such spaces provide a significant challenge to the fire protection design teams due to typical heights being greater than 20m and due to the openness and ability of the fire to spread from floor to floor. Evacuation routes in these areas provide a significant concern, and can become venerable to the smoke spreading throughout the building, unless an effective smoke control system is implemented.
Typical Strategies
The safe containment or extraction of smoke can be achieved by either natural or powered smoke extraction systems, within the atria or fire fighting cores. Depending on the building layout, natural ventilation systems in atria would typically use high level openings in the roof utilising the smoke’s inherent buoyancy. Powered extract systems use temperature rated fans to extract smoke with the equivalent mass of make air typically being replaced at low level.
Further Information
For further information regarding the product groups and regulations associated with smoke ventilation in commercial building please choose an option below:
SE Controls listed within