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New Pressurised System Set To Save Lives In Residential Buildings

In the wake of the devastating fire and tragedy at the Lakanal Flats, in Camberwell, the control of smoke in the corridors, lobbies and stairwells of high-rise multi-room buildings should now be the most important problem for smoke control engineers.

Pressurisation is the only method of smoke control where the objective of the design is to keep fire smoke out of the escape routes. It has become the system of choice for high rise buildings in countries outside the UK, and indeed for many prestige buildings in the UK. Fläkt Woods have many projects in mainland Europe where a mechanical pressurisation system has been specified, as natural methods of fire protection allow smoke into the escape routes - and are deemed unsafe.

Now the UK has a cost effective solution and no excuses. Smoke Angel is an all-inclusive system for the stairwell pressurisation in high rise residential buildings, with potential effective secondary pressurisation being provided to the lobby and corridor areas.

The pressurisation system is automatically activated with operation initiated by smoke detectors located within the common corridors or lobbies.

If required by the fire service, the supply fan can be reversed to provide smoke exhaust capacity for smoke clearance. The Smoke Angel fan being temperature rated to F300, for operation at 300oC for 2hours and CE Marked.

Smoke Angel is both suitable for new-build, and can be easily retro-fitted into existing buildings providing highly effective and unique form of smoke control,

Paul Wenden, Engineering Director of Fläkt Woods states "Traditionally in the UK, smoke control in residential high rise buildings has been provided for by natural ventilation, fitting vents, 1.5m² free area, to allow the smoke to exhaust the building either directly, or via a vertical smoke shaft of the same area." "These systems are very prone to external wind induced positive pressures and as such are unreliable as a live saving system." "In addition, in any form of ventilation system the smoke will have to enter and pass along the escape routes to reach the vents contaminating the escape route in the process." "Pressurisation is the only system that avoids this weakness."

Study after study has shown fire is not the main killer, smoke is. Smoke diminishes visibility, hindering safe escape and the fire fighters search and rescue operations. The Smoke Angel solution consists of an integrated fan module with an automatically opening ventilator, a control panel and module, a differential pressure switch, and when required, a smoke detector.

The ventilator opens and the fan starts automatically once the smoke detector is triggered, raising the pressure in the stairwell and preventing fire smoke from entering the vertical part of the escape route. When necessary, additional automatically operated air relief is provided.

As the fan is HT rated, and reversible, it can also be used by the attending fire fighters to clear hot smoke if required. This system solution approach is so novel; a patent application has been lodged in the UK.

Paul Wenden concludes, "We are offering a unique system solution. Not only is the product concept already proven and preferred overseas, but though our close working relationship with Fire Engineering Associates and Interactive Special Projects we are able to provided site surveys before proposing the complete solution - right through to system commissioning - all endorsed by Fläkt Woods who offer the broadest range of fire safety fan products in the world."

The system has been designed and components manufactured to comply with European Standard EN 12101-6 2005 which has the status of a British Standard. The fans conform to EN12101-3 are CE marked and F300 rated. Smoke Angel is provided with standby power from within the control panel and requires a single-phase supply only.

For further information contact:-

E-mail - mfenlon@smokeangel.co.uk

Or visit - www.smokeangel.co.uk