Colt Smoke Control Systems - smoke clearance ventilation - smoke vents

Smoke Control Systems from Colt

In designing a building, the incorporation of a smoke control system can significantly improve the life safety protection of the building. Smoke Control systems (sometimes known as fire ventilation or smoke vents) come in many forms and range widely in complexity, but their basic objectives are usually the same.

The objectives of smoke control systems are:

To keep escape and access routes free from smoke.
To facilitate fire fighting operations by creating a smoke free layer.
To delay and/or prevent flashover, and the subsequent full development of the fire.
To protect the contents of the building.
To reduce the thermal effects on structural components during a fire.
To reduce damage caused by thermal decomposition products and hot gases.

The key components of smoke and fire ventilation systems are fire dampers; ductwork; smoke curtains; and powered and natural smoke and heat extract systems (smoke vents). For a brief overview, click here (2.1 MB PDF).

Smoke Containment Systems

Smoke containment systems prevent the movement of smoke and heat from one area to another. These take the form of physical barriers either as smoke curtains or fire curtains, or as pressure differential systems, also known as pressurisation systems.



	Colt car park ventilation systems at Liverpool One / Paradise St			Mall ventilation at Omnipark Shopping Centre, Dublin

Smoke curtains are used:

To create a smoke reservoir by containing and limiting the travel of smoke.
To channel smoke in a predetermined direction.
To prevent or retard smoke entry to another area or void.

Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilation Systems - Smoke Vents

Also known as "SHEVs" (smoke and heat exhaust ventilators), this is the generic term for natural and powered smoke extract systems, sometimes known as fire or smoke vents. In general, these remove the smoke from the building allowing low level escape routes to be kept clear of smoke.

Building types that make use of Smoke Control systems include:

Apartment Buildings: In certain instances, Approved Document B requires smoke ventilation to common corridors and escape stairs in apartment buildings.

Atria: Buildings with large voids and atria can require smoke control to compensate for a lack of vertical compartmentation.

Car Parks: Enclosed or underground car parks need smoke clearance ventilation to assist fire-fighting operations. These are often combined with fume ventilation to prevent the build-up of Carbon Monoxide in normal day to day use of the car park. Colt offer the latest technology in Impulse or Induction ventilation systems.

Fire fighting shafts: Fire fighting shafts in tall or large structures require smoke vents or pressurisation systems to allow clear conditions for fire fighters to enter the building and deal with the situation effectively.

Shopping Centres: Enclosed shopping centres require smoke control measures to keep malls clear of smoke in the event of a fire.

Warehouses, factories and single storey sheds: Where travel distances cannot be achieved under the Building Regulations, smoke control can be introduced as a compensatory feature.

Colt International offers the following services:

Scheme design of all types of Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilation Systems (SHEVS - smoke vent)
Scheme design of pressurisation systems
Scheme design of smoke containment systems
Provision of performance specifications
Project management
Supply, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems, including all necessary controls, which will be designed to interface with others' control systems.

A free full system check will be carried out approximately 9 months after a Smoke Control System has been installed and commissioned by Colt. Besides the opportunity to check that the system is performing as designed, this will allow for any further training of local personnel that may be necessary. Assuming that this visit falls within the warranty period, any defective parts are replaced free of charge. A test certificate will be issued.

Other reasons to choose Colt:

Colt Smoke Control systems are suited to both commercial and industrial buildings, and may be adapted to suit most architectural requirements.

Over the years Colt has funded a large proportion of the research into smoke control, and its representatives maintain an unparalleled level of technical expertise.

Colt's in-house research and development capability ensures that Colt fire protection systems are designed, tested and updated by Colt to meet or exceed relevant legislation and standards.

The majority of Colt's Smoke Control systems are manufactured in the UK under BS EN ISO 9001:2000 and BS EN ISO 14001:2004.

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Colt Smoke Control Systems - smoke clearance ventilation - smoke vents

Smoke Control Systems from Colt

Building types:

Smoke Control products, smoke vents:

Smoke Containment Systems:

Smoke Control Projects:

Smoke Containment Systems

Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilation Systems - Smoke Vents

Building types that make use of Smoke Control systems include:

Colt International offers the following services:

Other reasons to choose Colt: