An Introduction to Smoke Management

An Introduction to Smoke Control This guide is designed to provide architects, contractors, building owners and facilities managers with an overview of smoke control systems, including the different types of systems, where they can be applied, how they work and why they are critically important. It will also give information surrounding smoke control regulations, maintenance requirements and considerations when refurbishing or retrofitting a building.

Smoke Control What is Smoke Control? Considerations when specifying a smoke control system Types of smoke control systems Natural smoke and heat exhaust Mechanical smoke and heat exhaust Smoke pressure systems Interaction with other fire management systems Compartmentation HVAC Sprinklers Regulations and compliance Application Products Maintenance How can Kingspan Light + Air support your project?

What is smoke control?

Smoke control systems: • Extract smoke • Clear escape and rescue routes • Aid firefighters in locating the fire • Minimise casualties • Limit building and contents damage An Introduction to Smoke Control In a fire situation, you have one chance to get things right. Building owners and operators have a duty and responsibility to ensure the ongoing safety of the people who use their buildings, including implementing effective fire safety provisions designed to meet the specific building requirements. Statistics from all around the world demonstrate that the greatest threat to life in a fire-related...

An Introduction to Smoke Control Forming a key and often mandatory part of the fire management plan, smoke control systems create smoke-free zones that enable occupiers to escape and firefighting teams to enter the property quickly and safely. With systems suitable for all types of buildings, these can be passively or mechanically assisted and are typically used to protect escape and rescue routes and common circulation areas. Whilst occupant safety is the primary purpose of these systems, they also help to limit smoke and heat damage to the property and its contents. The combination of both...

Considerations when specifying a smoke control system

An Introduction to Smoke Control Specifying a smoke control system is a complex task which requires an in-depth understanding of the systems available, the building it is to be installed on and the relevant building regulations and standards. It is important that it is considered as early on in the design process as possible by a qualified and experienced fire-engineering specialist to ensure that the solution selected is not only implemented correctly, but that it works as part of the holistic fire management plan. When creating an optimised and reliable smoke control solution, there are five...

An Introduction to Smoke Control or mezzanines, it may be necessary to use a combination of natural and mechanical smoke control systems in different parts of the building to ensure that smoke is evacuated from the centre of the space. Or, in the case of a Smoke Pressurisation System on a high-rise building, additional sensors or fans may be required to navigate any areas with complex geometry. Configuration In addition to the volume, assessing the layout of the space is also key for working out both the flow of smoke and occupant evacuation routes. This includes establishing how the space will...

An Introduction to Smoke Control 2. Risks during use In addition to considering how it has been built, it is vital a thorough in-use risk assessment of the building is conducted to ensure the fire management solutions are fit for purpose. This should take into account: Use Whilst a building may be constructed to fulfil a generic brief, its exact use can have a significant impact on the fire risk and the potential fire and smoke load. For instance, an industrial building that manufactures, uses or stores flammable goods may require a much more stringent fire management solution to a typical plant....

An Introduction to Smoke Control 3. Regulations and standards The specified system must be designed, tested, certified, and maintained in accordance with any local legislation and guidance set by the government and/or fire service. This includes standards that govern their use, as well as any component-specific certifications. 4. Financial constraints Whilst fire safety is a fundamental consideration and should command an appropriate part of the project budget, it is important to get the balance right. Whilst under-specifying can lead to a smoke control system that is not fit for purpose, overspecification...

Types of smoke control systems

An Introduction to Smoke Control There are two main categories of smoke control systems: natural and mechanical. As a general rule, the taller a building, the more the specification will move from natural to mechanical and pressurisation. However, there are no steadfast rules that define the limits of one system over another, and the physics of every project must be assessed individually to ascertain the most appropriate and effective solution. Natural smoke and heat exhaust (SHEV) Natural smoke control systems use the basic principles of thermal buoyancy to allow smoke and heat to rise out of...

An Introduction to Smoke Control CD A fire breaks out in an area of the building. CD Once triggered, either by the fire and smoke detectors or manually at a call point, motorised actuators in the roof or wall ventilators open, allowing the smoke and heat to rise naturally out of the space below. CD At the same time, smoke curtains are triggered to lower, compartmentalising the smoke and preventing it from spreading throughout the building. CD Low-level side ventilation inlets are also activated to replace the smoke with fresh external air. CD After the fire has been extinguished, the ventilators...

An Introduction to Smoke Control What are the key components? These systems typically comprise: a An automatically opening ventilator 1. (AOV), located on the roof, within the facade or, where an external wall or roof is not available, within a smoke shaft. b Smoke curtains installed in a way that 1. drives the smoke towards the ventilator.