Smoke and Natural Ventilation Controls Systems News | SE Controls en Helena.Preston@secontrols.com Copyright 2012 2012-01-11T13:31:14+00:00 SE Controls gains LABC approval for new smoke ventilation solution http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/se-controls-gains-labc-approval-for-new-smoke-ventilation-solution/ http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/se-controls-gains-labc-approval-for-new-smoke-ventilation-solution/#When:12:31:14Z An advanced smoke & heat exhaust ventilation (SHEV) system developed by smoke and natural ventilation specialist SE Controls has received full Registered Detail Certification from the LABC (Local Authority Building Control) following a detailed and extensive performance evaluation process.

The new SHEVTEC® Extended Travel Distance System was developed by SE Controls to provide an off the shelf solution for developers to deliver extended travel distances with a single escape staircase while avoiding the expense of costly CFD modelling.

Due to the safety critical nature of its application, the new system took more than two years to develop fully with SE Controls’ designers and engineers making extensive use of advanced computational fluid dynamics techniques to model a wide range of operating scenarios, building layouts and escape situations.

In addition, the LABC certification registration gives local building control officers (BCO’s) the confidence to accept the SHEVTEC® Extended Travel Distance System knowing that it has already been rigorously evaluated and tested. The system’s components are all tested and CE marked to the most recent European Standards and SE Controls believes it the only company that can offer such a high performance solution.

The fully compliant and CE marked system also incorporates a range of additional features that enable specifiers, designers and developers to achieve a more cost effective solution without compromising safety. The SHEVTEC Extended Travel Distance System offers further cost savings to developers by reducing the size of smoke shafts to less than half of the 1.5m2 required by an Approved Document B compliant natural ventilation system.

The innovative system has already been installed by SE Controls in a major accommodation project for around 1000 students in Nottingham, which was also monitored and scrutinised as part of the detailed LABC verification process.

Will Perkins, SE Controls’ Managing Director, explained: “This is a significant achievement in smoke ventilation and fire safety as the new system not only provides an effective solution for buildings outside of Approved Document B, but also provides greater freedom for architects, specifiers and developers. Clearly, we are all delighted to be awarded approval by the LABC as it now provides local authorities with a ready made fully compliant solution.”

Recent guidance published by the Smoke Control Association (SCA) covering ‘Guidance on smoke control to common escape routes in apartment buildings, flats and maisonettes’ is the focus of a key seminar being held on 10th April 2012 at FETA’s headquarters in Hare Hatch, Reading. Aimed at BCOs, the Fire Service and other stakeholders, details and booking instructions are available from FETA’s website http://www.feta.co.uk.



]]> UK News, Reference Sites, PR 2012-01-11T12:31:14+00:00 Xi’an Xianyang International Airport http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/xian-xianyang-international-airport/ http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/xian-xianyang-international-airport/#When:08:17:19Z Xi’an Xianyang International Airport, a growing airport hub for western China, was China’s eighth busiest airport in 2010. With a growth rate of around 18% (to 18 million passengers), Xi’an was the third fastest growing major airport in China (airports with more than 10 million annual pax) behind only the two Shanghai airports; Pudong and Hongqiao. Growth is expected to continue with the airport tipped to handle over 21 million passengers in 2011. The anticipated strong growth will be supported by the airport’s new Terminal 3, which is scheduled to open in Mar-2012. The facility is expecting to handle 31 million passengers, 230,000 aircraft movements and 400,000 tonnes of cargo by 2020, supported by the new terminal and runway.

SE Controls, the UK’s leading provider of smoke and natural ventilation systems has successfully completed the supply, installation and commissioning of over 2000 chain and linear actuators to the glazed façade and high level roof smoke vents. These proven products, designed for neat integration into the façade system allowed fully concealed cables back to the control system. SE Controls’ CE marked, fully compliant OS2 control system includes battery back up to ensure operation of the life safety critical smoke vents in case of a primary power failure. The system communicates seamlessly with the Fire Alarm System to ensure optimum operational reliability.

SE Controls has completed many aviation projects around the world including Terminals 1 and 3 at London’s Heathrow Airport, Bangkok International Airport, Hong Kong’s Chek Lap Kok Airport, and Beijing’s Terminal 2 Airport. The innovative and highly experienced company celebrated its 30th year of business in 2011 and boasts offices in UK, Bahrain, Durban, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Shenzhen, Sao Paolo and now Chennai.




]]> International News, UK News, Reference Sites, PR 2011-12-22T08:17:19+00:00 Smoke ventilation and natural ventilation for Salford Royal Hospital http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/smoke-ventilation-and-natural-ventilation-for-salford-royal-hospital/ http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/smoke-ventilation-and-natural-ventilation-for-salford-royal-hospital/#When:09:07:44Z A combined smoke and natural ventilation solution from SE Controls is helping create a comfortable and safe environment for patients, visitors and staff at Salford Royal Hospital’s new £90 million Hope Building.

Designed by architects HKS and constructed by Balfour Beatty, as part of the Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust’s £200 million redevelopment programme, the five storey Hope Building houses a new A&E department as well as providing 242 beds, an emergency assessment unit and critical care facilities.

SE Controls developed the fire engineered smoke and natural ventilation solution around the original fire specification and worked closely with the consultants to create an effective and reliable system that maximises comfort, safety and energy efficiency by linking in to both the building management system (BMS) and the separate fire alarm system.

Within the hospital, the smoke and natural ventilation system is split into two zones to allow maximum control over the temperatures and ventilation needs in both the main concourse and the atrium areas of the building, by using a series of louvres, roof vents and atrium vents controlled by the BMS.

In normal operation, localised sensors throughout the building monitor the temperatures and their patterns of change, feeding constant information to the BMS, which manages the proportional opening and closing of the vents and louvres. This not only ensures that temperatures remain within specified limits but also that the building has a constant flow of fresh air.

SE Controls’ solution also takes account of adverse weather conditions, such as excessively high winds or rain, to ensure that vents are automatically closed to stop the ingress of water and limit any possible damage.

In the event of fire, the alarm system over-rides the BMS, which instantly opens the smoke vents and louvres fully to create a smoke free escape route and access for fire services.
The potential for false alarms and accidental triggering is also addressed by the SE Controls system, as any manual activation by a Manual Control Point (MCP) or individual smoke detector requires a secondary confirmation signal from the aspirator monitoring system. However, if the aspiration system detects a fault, then it switches to ‘fault mode’ where no confirmation signal is required to activate the smoke ventilation if triggered manually or by a smoke detector.

Further fail-safe back up is provided by a separate fully monitored battery back up system in compliance with the requirements of EN12101 standard, as well as a further supply taken from the hospital’s own secondary power system, which effectively provides the entire system with two independent back up supplies.

Mark Hargreaves, SE Controls’ Commercial Manager, explained: “Fire safety is a critical aspect of any building design and in hospitals where there are a large number of people with limited mobility, it is vital that escape routes are kept clear for extended periods to enable them to escape. By combining fire engineered smoke ventilation with highly effective natural ventilation as an integrated solution, the system not only provides failsafe protection, but also provides a comfortable environment for the building’s occupants.”





]]> UK News, Reference Sites, PR 2011-11-28T09:07:44+00:00 SE Controls strengthens its team with six new appointments http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/se-controls-strengthens-its-team-with-six-new-appointments1/ http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/se-controls-strengthens-its-team-with-six-new-appointments1/#When:12:29:08Z Continued success and expansion for smoke and natural ventilation solutions specialist SE Controls, has resulted in the company strengthening its nationwide team with six key new appointments within the last few weeks.

At its Staffordshire head office, Helena Preston joins as Marketing Assistant alongside new Credit Control Auditor, Lindsay Danks and Kate Sansom who takes on the role of National Maintenance Co-ordinator.

The company’s project management and installation team also gets a boost with Stephen Van De Gevel joining as Project Leader for the Northern team together with Tom Jaunzems and Rob Tierney who take up new posts as installation engineers covering the North and Midlands respectively.

These new appointments come just a few months after SE Controls recruited three new trainee project leaders together with an electronics design and controls engineer and the company is expecting to take on around 10 further staff in early 2012 as part of a strategic plan to develop the business and reinforce its core competencies.

SE Controls’ Managing Director, Will Perkins, commented: “We are clearly focused on developing and providing the best possible smoke and ventilation solutions and to achieve that goal, we need to have excellent people within our team at all levels.”

He added: “Our innovative solutions have not only enabled us to win key projects, such as this year’s RIBA Stirling prize winning, the Evelyn Grace Academy, but also a range of other prestigious contracts both in the UK and internationally. However, it is our people that enable us to deliver the technical excellence, project support and customer service, which is why we have taken on these new staff and we’re looking to enhance our team further next year.”


]]> UK News, PR 2011-11-23T12:29:08+00:00 Advanced smoke ventilation solution from SE Controls http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/advanced-smoke-ventilation-solution-from-se-controls/ http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/advanced-smoke-ventilation-solution-from-se-controls/#When:11:04:34Z

Advanced smoke ventilation solution from SE Controls protects Nottingham students



A £55 million student accommodation development in Nottingham is using integrated smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems from SE Controls to provide smoke free escape routes for around 1000 students living in the new purpose designed apartments at Chettles Yard.

To meet the fire safety and smoke ventilation needs in three of the new buildings at the Chettles Yard development, SE Controls developed specific smoke and heat ventilation solutions for each accommodation block based around its versatile SHEVTEC® system.

Dedicated extended travel distance escape solution


As the maximum escape travel distance in two of the apartment buildings was within the 7.5 metre limit covered by Approved Document B of the Building Regulations, the SHEVTEC Natural Corridor Ventilation System was installed. However, the six storey F Building had a travel distance of 12.0 metres so SE Controls created a dedicated fire engineered solution around its LABC approved SHEVTEC Extended Travel Distance System.

In the event of a fire, the main exit route is through a singe protected stairwell, so the SE Controls solution had to provide high integrity smoke and heat ventilation that not only allowed occupants to travel the increased distance to safety, but must also perform at least as well as the code compliant systems installed in the other two accommodation blocks.

Fully compliant smoke ventilation system


The extended travel system used in Building F was originally developed by SE Controls using advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to create an off the shelf, fully compliant and CE marked solution that can not only assist escape but also simplify the building’s design by removing the need for additional escape stairs.

In addition, the size of the smoke shafts used can be reduced to less than half of the 1.5m2 required under a typical natural ventilation system. When combined with the requirement for only one escape stair, this allowed the developers to incorporate more apartments within the building’s envelope.

The SHEVTEC system uses a dual smoke shaft and fan ventilated solution linked by smoke sensors through SE Controls’ powerful OSLoop® control system, which when triggered determines which shaft is closest to the fire and automatically opens the smoke shaft doors on each floor to extract smoke away from escape routes, corridors and stairs. Once actuated, OSLoop continues to monitor the entire system throughout the incident to ensure the system maintains its performance in accordance with the imminent EN12101 part 9 standard.

Fully managed turnkey project


SE Controls provided a full turnkey solution to the Chettles Yard development, involving project management, the supply and installation of the SHEVTEC system and liaison with all the appropriated authorities and inspectors, as well as full testing and rigorous commissioning procedures to verify the system’s performance, operation and compliance with the design brief.

Will Perkins, SE Controls’ Managing Director, explained: “This is an ideal example of how we combine our technical expertise, immense experience and innovative products to develop an outstanding solution on a challenging project.”

He added: “Chettles Yard itself is an incredibly innovative development and is providing much needed high quality accommodation for students at Nottingham and Trent Universities and I’m delighted that we have been able to play a key role in maintaining their safety.”

Further information


A fully detailed PDF case study covering the specific fire engineered smoke ventilation solution installed by SE Controls is available for download from the company’s website at http://www.secontrols.com/library.

SHEVTEC® Extended Travel Distance System for Chettles Yard Case Study

]]> UK News, Reference Sites, PR 2011-11-03T11:04:34+00:00 Triple RIBA Stirling Prize success for SE Controls http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/triple-riba-stirling-prize-success-for-se-controls/ http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/triple-riba-stirling-prize-success-for-se-controls/#When:09:15:11Z The hotly contested 2011 RIBA Stirling Prize has resulted in a triple success for SE Controls as its specialised smoke and natural ventilation solutions are used not only in Zaha Hadid’s stunning award winning design for Brixton’s Evelyn Grace Academy, but also in two of the other five shortlisted finalists.

The Evelyn Grace Academy incorporates four separate schools within a single building and to ensure that high levels of natural light are available throughout the building, the exterior makes full use of glass cladding, which forms part of the natural heating and ventilation incorporated within the design.

Control and management of natural ventilation system’s concealed vents is handled by more than 70 SE Controls OS2 Controllers linked to the building management system (BMS) to provide incremental operation of the vents to ensure ample fresh air is supplied at all times throughout the building.

Natural ventilation also forms part of the SE Controls’ solution installed at another RIBA Stirling Prize finalist, the new Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford upon Avon. SE Controls provided the smoke and natural ventilation strategy in the rebuilt restaurant area, the colonnade and the link bridge connecting the building to a newly built observation tower.

The multi-zone smoke and natural ventilation solution developed and installed for the RSC theatre by SE Controls utilises a range of EN12101-2 chain actuators connected to dedicated zone control panels as part of the fire alarm system and linked to the building’s BMS. The natural ventilation solution is also linked to the smoke ventilation system to clear smoke and enable visitors to evacuate the building in the event of a fire.

Darren Wainwright, SE Controls’ Project Leader, commented: “These two projects, together with our involvement in the Olympic Velodrome, reinforce the important role that effective smoke and natural ventilation play in modern architecture. While we might not provide the vision for these outstanding pieces of architecture, our role is to ensure that the ventilation and building safety needs meet the demanding specifications and I’m delighted that we have been involved in these three unique buildings.”




]]> UK News, PR 2011-11-02T09:15:11+00:00 Natural ventilation solutions presented at CIBSE school design seminar http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/natural-ventilation-solutions-presented-at-cibse-school-design-seminar/ http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/natural-ventilation-solutions-presented-at-cibse-school-design-seminar/#When:15:55:27Z Understanding the practicalities of installation when designing adaptive natural ventilation solutions was the focus of a key presentation by SE Controls’ Nick Hudleston, at a prestigious seminar exploring the natural ventilation of UK school classrooms, organised by Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).

Co-sponsored by SE Controls and staged at University College London in early October, the full day seminar brought together leading academics, building design consultants and selected natural ventilation solutions providers to appraise the understanding, experiences and current trends in schools and consider future sustainable natural ventilation strategies.

To ensure that all aspects of the event’s topic were covered fully, members of CIBSE’s School Design Group and Natural Ventilation Group were both represented at the seminar, which discussed sustainable solutions, compliance issues, NV design and the relationship between ventilation and student performance.

Nick Hudleston commented: “The seminar was an invaluable opportunity to hear leading independent expert speakers share their research and experiences. The messages were very reassuring in that natural ventilation is a practical, cost effective and successful method of ventilating schools, and leads to increased performance of students. The presentations confirmed some major caveats however; manual control relying on occupants does not result in adequate air quality, temperatures or building energy consumption. Robust control strategies are essential, but as important is the quality of installation and commissioning.”

If you would like to receive Nick Hudleston’s presentation please email info@secontrols.com and we'll send you a copy.
]]> UK News, PR 2011-10-07T15:55:27+00:00 See SE Controls’ New Smoke Ventilation system at the M&E Exhibition, 11th & 12th October http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/see-se-controls-smoke-ventilation-system-at-the-me-exhibition-olympia-11th-/ http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/see-se-controls-smoke-ventilation-system-at-the-me-exhibition-olympia-11th-/#When:12:42:40Z SE Controls will be launching their unique TAMPERPROOF Manual Control Point (MCP) and their revolutionary SHEVTEC® Extended Travel Distance smoke ventilation system at the M&E Exhibition, Olympia, London, 11th & 12th October, on stand C113. The TAMPERPROOF MCP is the only product available on the market which can deliver the full functionality required of an MCP whilst complying with the imminent EN12101-9 product standard.

SE Controls will be presenting at the Innovation Show Case


Along with exhibiting, SE Controls will be presenting Smoke Ventilation in Residential Buildings on the 11th October and Window Automation for Natural Ventilation on the 12th October at the Innovation Showcase, held within the exhibition. The presentations will provide a valuable insight into the application and products of both systems.

New products on display - The New Tamper Proof MCP & SHEVTEC® Extended Travel Distance System


SE Controls have designed and developed the TAMPERPROOF MCP to meet the growing need for a product which can overcome nuisance operation, especially in student accommodation but at the same time provide the manual control required by fire fighters. Nuisance operation is becoming a real concern for facility managers, building owners, occupiers and fire brigades as inappropriate operation of the manual control points can not only cause activation of a system, if a fire does occur once an MCP has been operated, initiation of vents on fire floors can be locked out and fail to operate as a direct result.

The orange (RAL 2011) MCP displays system and vent status both audibly and visibly through three LEDs, “power, fault and activated” (all requirements of the EN standard). The Tamperproof MCP will be set up on the stand to demonstrate its functionality in corporation with the automatic opening vents.

New products on display - The SHEVTEC® Extended Travel Distance System


SE Controls will also be demonstrating their revolutionary SHEVTEC® Extended Travel Distance smoke ventilation system following their recent flawless installation of the system into student accommodation in Nottingham. The system is the culmination of two years research and development which has delivered a system that can give designers, installers, regulators, occupants and firefighters advantages currently unmatched in the smoke ventilation market. The SHEVTEC® Extended Travel Distance System’s components are all fully CE marked and tested to the stringent EN12101 SHEVs series. The system is completely flexible as the components are fully compatible with each other and all controlled by SE Controls’ SHEVTEC® OSLoop Control System, which via intelligent MCPs monitors smoke detector inputs, cable outputs and position of the smoke vents. All of this key information can be displayed on an elegant SHEVTEC® Repeater Panel all of which is on a working demonstration on their stand C113

Other newly developed products on display will include the SHEVTEC® Smoke Shaft Actuator and Door. The SHEVTEC® Smoke Shaft Door and Actuator, tested to BS 476-22:1987, BS 1634-1:2000, BSEN 1363-1:1999, BSEN 1364-2:2000 and to the principles of EN12101-2:2003 Annex G, gives designers the ability to match the AOV to other doors in the development. As an alternative solution SE Controls can deliver the SHEVTEC® Damper which can be concealed behind a neat grill. All components are CE marked to the current EN12101 SHEVs standards or in the case of the OSLoop control system, fully compliant with the imminent EN 12101 parts 9 &10.

SE Controls commercial team will be at the show on stand C113 to share their expertise and knowledge throughout the exhibition and welcome any questions and/or advice that visitors may require. There will also be a range of literature on the stand to take away that includes case study brochures along with the smoke ventilation solutions brochure for residential buildings.

Smoke ventilation solutions brochure

]]> PR 2011-09-23T12:42:40+00:00 SE Controls Launch the SHEVTEC® Extended Travel Distance System http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/se-controls-launch-the-shevtec-extended-travel-distance-system/ http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/se-controls-launch-the-shevtec-extended-travel-distance-system/#When:12:26:17Z Life just got easier for developers, designers and regulators of residential and student accommodation thanks to SE Controls’ revolutionary approach to smoke ventilation. After a flawless installation of their SHEVTEC® Extended Travel Distance System at Chettles Yard student accommodation in Nottingham, their client has been able to benefit from the most cost effective and robust smoke ventilation system in the market.

The SHEVTEC® Extended Travel Distance System enables designers to save significant costs in a number of ways. The system enables escape travel distances to be increased above the ADB compliant maximum 7.5m without the need for additional stairwells creating an opportunity for significantly more accommodation. Furthermore, the SHEVTEC® Extended Travel Distance System uses smoke shafts less than half the area required by a conventional 1.5m2 shaft demanded under a typical natural ventilation system as set out in Approved Document B of the Building Regulations. This is achieved through using fans tested to EN12101-3 and suitable for smoke ventilation to increase the efficiency of smoke extraction when called on to do so in an emergency. But the savings don’t stop there. The SHEVTEC® EXTENDED TRAVEL DISTANCE SYSTEM’s OSLoop Control system intelligently monitors the system such that if one extract shaft fan fails to operate it will automatically bring alternative shafts into extract mode. This creates significant cost savings as each shaft only requires one single phase fan served by an independent supply, which can be neatly housed in the top of the shaft alleviating the need for the installation of roof mounted hefty, three phase fan sets requiring specialist access both for installation and maintenance. All SHEVTEC® maintenance can be performed from the INSIDE of the building.

The system is the culmination of over two years’ research using extensive Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modelling to simulate literally hundreds of scenarios. The SHEVTEC® EXTENDED TRAVEL DISTANCE SYSTEM has been designed to provide developers with much more flexibility to achieve ever increasing commercial pressures but without the need to compromise occupant or fire fighter safety. Following SE Controls’ successful and smooth delivery of their turnkey solution in Nottingham, including the installation, commissioning and demonstration, SE Controls now know that their SHEVTEC® EXTENDED TRAVEL DISTANCE SYSTEM system is a major step forward for both them and their clients.

SE Controls drew on 30 years of experience of designing, installing and maintaining smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems (SHEVs) when they designed LABC REGISTERED SHEVTEC® EXTENDED TRAVEL DISTANCE SYSTEM. System flexibility, repeatability and ease of installation were central to meeting the cost constraints demanded by current market conditions. But importantly this was achieved through innovation which has enhanced the quality of the system, with all components being CE marked to the current EN12101 SHEVs standards or in the case of the OSLoop control system, fully compliant with the imminent EN 12101 parts 9 &10. SE Controls can offer various options for smoke shaft AOVs including their SHEVTEC® Smoke Shaft Door and Actuator, tested to BS 476-22:1987, BS 1634-1:2000, BSEN 1363-1:1999, BSEN 1364-2:2000 and to the principles of EN12101-2:2003 Annex G, giving designers the ability to match the AOV to other doors in the development. Alternatively SE Controls can deliver their SHEVTEC® damper which can be concealed behind a neat grill. Other Automatic Opening Vents are available in SE Controls SHEVTEC® range including glazed louvres for end of corridor applications, casement smoke vents, 90 degree and 140 degree opening vents and smoke louvres for top of stair or smoke shaft applications.

The brains behind the SHEVTEC® EXTENDED TRAVEL DISTANCE SYSTEM lies in the patented OSLoop control system, a looped power and data system, which constantly monitors all inputs and outputs including all cabling and the position of smoke vents – all in accordance with EN12101 part 9. Intelligence within the system is key to the systems effectiveness. Should a fire occur, SHEVTEC® smoke detectors placed in the corridor will determine which smoke shaft is closest to the fire and initiate that shaft as the extract shaft. Both SHEVTEC® Smoke Shaft Doors on the corridor will automatically open and the extract fan on the extract shaft will operate. The OSLoop system will ensure that all other smoke shaft doors remain closed within the building, so that smoke shafts work efficiently and keeps smoke from entering other corridors served by them.

In accordance with Approved Document B the OSLoop system will initiate the automatic opening of the SHEVTEC® Louvre at the top of the staircase during any system activation. This will ventilate any smoke that may enter the staircase as fire doors to the escape stair are opened.

The OSLoop system continues to monitor the entire process during activation. Built into the system there are safety features - should an extract fan fail during operation, or fail to start, the system will initiate a control sequence, changing the natural inlet shaft to an extract shaft by running its extract fan and the former extract shaft will revert to a natural inlet shaft. There is an option in the OSLoop control system to further extend the capability of the smoke ventilation system. The elegant and slimline SHEVTEC® Repeater Panel is no bigger than an IPAD and is located at the designated fire fighters entrance. It displays the current status of the system in simple easy and quick to understand representation of the building. Furthermore fire fighting crews can place the system into a ‘fire fighting phase’ by initiating a manual override, activated by key switches on the SHEVTEC® Repeater Panel. This fire fighting phase initiates both smoke shafts into extract mode and runs both.

Importantly, the OSLoop system has full data logging capability which can be interrogated to provide valuable historic evidence of activations. This is particularly useful for post event analysis – especially in light of recent well documented fires in high rise accommodation. Where nuisance operation is an issue (a common occurrence in student accommodation) SE Controls can provide their new Tamper Proof MCP (Manual Control Point). SE Controls’ feature rich product has been designed to go much further than simply providing the basics. The Tamper Proof MCP is is the only product available on the market which can deliver the full functionality required of an MCP whilst complying with the imminent EN12101-9 product standard. The orange (RAL 2011) MCP displays system and vent status both audibly and visibly through three LEDs, “power, fault and activated” (all requirements of the EN standard), all of which can be displayed on the SHEVTEC® Repeater Panel. Inappropriate operation of the manual control points (MCP) can not only cause activation of a system, if a fire does occur once an MCP has been operated, initiation of vents on fire floors can be locked out and fail to operate as a direct result. Most residential smoke ventilation systems are designed to be fully automatic, opening specific automatic opening vents(AOVs) when smoke is detected and generally only on the floor of fire origin. Manual Control Points are frequently the highest priority in a smoke ventilation system (commonly referred to as “Fireman’s Override Switches”) and as such are designed to disable the smoke detection system. Therefore the need for a tamper resistant manual control point has never been greater.

With the use of automatic smoke shaft doors there is always risk of entrapment when resetting the doors to a closed position. The tamperproof MCP’s are always located close to the smoke shaft door and operate via a dedicated key fob and as a ‘dead man’s handle’ when operating the doors, to mitigate any potential risk of entrapment.

The SHEVTEC® EXTENDED TRAVEL DISTANCE SYSTEM installed at Chettles Yard takes smoke ventilation to a new level, offering safer residential buildings due to a combination of SE Controls 30 years experience, newly developed products and their understanding of the needs of building designers, regulators and fire fighters alike.

SE Controls is a rapidly growing UK company operating across the globe with offices in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. The company is continually seeking exceptional individuals to join the team, visit the website at http://www.secontrols.com to learn more. To discuss possible project requirements with SE Controls and request literature, please call their head office in Lichfield on 01543 443060.

]]> International News, UK News, PR 2011-09-23T12:26:17+00:00 SE Controls New Tamperproof Manual Control Point (MCP) http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/se-controls-new-tamperproof-manual-control-point-mcp/ http://www.secontrols.com/news/item/se-controls-new-tamperproof-manual-control-point-mcp/#When:12:15:35Z There is growing evidence that misuse of smoke ventilation systems in residential buildings can lead to incorrect operation with potentially fatal consequences. Recent examples have pinpointed occupants use of manual override switches (typically yellow “breakglass” style switches) to open vents to provide fresh air to common spaces or even access essential smoke shafts to store bikes and leave rubbish. Nuisance operation, especially in student accommodation is becoming a real concern for facility managers, building owners, occupiers and fire brigades. System designers are looking for ways to combat these problems and SE Controls, a leading company with 30 years experience in the design, manufacture, installation, commissioning and maintenance of smoke ventilation systems, have a unique solution – their new TAMPER PROOF MANUAL CONTROL POINT to be launched at M&E exhibition at Olympia on 11th & 12th October 2011.

Inappropriate operation of the manual control points (MCP) can not only cause activation of a system, if a fire does occur once an MCP has been operated, initiation of vents on fire floors can be locked out and fail to operate as a direct result. Most residential smoke ventilation systems are designed to be fully automatic, opening specific automatic opening vents (AOVs) when smoke is detected and generally only on the floor of fire origin. Manual Control Points are frequently the highest priority in a smoke ventilation system (commonly referred to as “Fireman’s Override Switches”) and as such are designed to disable the smoke detection system. Therefore the need for a tamper resistant manual control point has never been greater.

The TAMPER PROOF MCP from SE Controls is the only product available on the market which can deliver the full functionality required of an MCP whilst complying with the imminent EN12101-9 product standard. The orange (RAL 2011) MCP displays system and vent status both audibly and visibly through three LEDs, “power, fault and activated” (all requirements of the EN standard). But SE Controls’ feature rich product has been designed to go much further than simply providing the basics. When incorporated into SE Controls’ SHEVTEC® OSLoop control system, the MCP acts as a fully intelligent zone control panel, monitoring smoke detector inputs, monitoring cable outputs and position of the smoke vents. All of this key information can be displayed on an elegant SHEVTEC® Repeater Panel, located in the designated fire fighters entrance, as well as being logged in the system to provide post event evidence of causes of alarms.

The design team at SE Controls have drawn on 30 years of experience to develop the TAMPERPROOF MCP as well as liaising with installers, the fire service and building maintenance experts. The TAMPERPROOF MCP allows for the rigours of first fix installation by coming in two parts. The base is suitable for first fix, whilst the surface mounted element, which also contains the electronics and housing, clips into position as part of the second fix or commissioning process.

The TAMPERPROOF MCP is also suitable for retro fitting into existing sites, in particular, onto SE Controls widely used OS2 control system. This means that the TAMPERPROOF MCP is a very cost effective solution for building managers who are regularly faced with nuisance activation of the smoke ventilation systems. Furthermore the TAMPERPROOF MCP allows for building managers to utilise the system for day to day ventilation of common areas in a controlled manner.
]]> International News, UK News, PR 2011-09-16T12:15:35+00:00