Smoke control and ventilation – a clear winner for life safety

According to Home Office figures, smoke accounts for almost 80% of all fire related deaths in the UK.

It’s not only the inhalation of toxic smoke and hot gases, caused by the burning of furniture and building materials that create the problem, but also the reduced levels of oxygen that reach the blood stream. Oxygen makes up around 21% of ambient air, but if it drops by only 4%, our judgement and co-ordination are impaired, another 8% drop and we lose consciousness. 

At just 6% oxygen in the air, we experience respiratory and cardiac arrest and ultimately death.

To increase the chances of surviving in a burning building, occupants must have a safe route of escape. Smoke control systems remove smoke from a building and keep escape routes, such as stairs and corridors, free from smoke, not only making it easier to evacuate a building, but also protecting occupants from the potentially fatal effects of smoke.

The importance of escaping a fire quickly cannot be underestimated and thankfully, Building Regulations Approved Document B demands that smoke control and ventilation systems are mandatory in any residential building over three-storeys high.

Smoke ventilation systems also have the additional benefit of increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the fire services. As a longstanding member of the Smoke Control Association SE Controls is committed to any initiative that can help save lives and improves fire safety standards across the industry.

The Smoke Control Association state that a well-designed smoke control system can save lives and help protect property as it will:

• Keep escape and access routes free from smoke
• Facilitate fire-fighting operations
• Delay or prevent flashover, reducing the risk of the fire developing further
• Protect the contents of the building
• Reduce the risk of damage to the building

One system alone is not enough

Sprinklers have featured heavily in the media recently in light of tragic events at Grenfell Tower, and they are an effective safety solution that undoubtedly help to save lives. However, the reality is that no one life safety system on its own can offer an acceptable level of protection against the dangers of fire and smoke, the right combination of systems however, designed and installed to the latest standards, can make the difference between life and death.

Legislation such as BS7346-8 ensures that these smoke control systems have to be maintained regularly so that they work when needed. Testing products in a real life controlled fire environment to EN12101-2 means that products work when needed. 

Simon North, Service & Maintenance Division Manager with SE Controls, comments:

“Since the tragic events of Grenfell Tower, we have seen a 25-30% increase in maintenance enquiries. Fortunately, for most of these landlords and building owners, we can now attend these sites and ensure that their smoke ventilation system is working correctly and is compliant. As an industry, we must not allow the situation to occur again where it takes such a tragic loss of life to make those responsible for their tenant’s safety understand the importance of smoke ventilation in a building, along with all other life safety systems in place” 

If you want more information on smoke control systems and how they can protect your building or tenants then contact us today, email: sales@secontrols.com or telephone: +44 (0)1543 443060.