Darwen Aldridge Community Academy
Project Brief:
To provide a smoke control solution to the new Darwen Aldridge Community Academy by integrating a combination of natural and mechanical ventilators with smoke curtains into the escape routes and atrium
Darwen Aldridge Community Academy
Colt were recently awarded the opportunity to supply and install a smoke control and natural ventilation package for the new £49m Darwen Aldridge Community Academy, which is home to 1,600 students and based in Darwen near Blackburn.
The project involved the integration of Coltlite natural ventilators into the front façade of the building. This enables fresh air to enter the atrium when required. They also provide smoke extraction in the event of a fire to keep the level of smoke as high as possible to allow for safe evacuation of the building, and to improve visibility for fire-fighters.
Coltlite provide excelent natural ventilation whilst also offering smoke extraction in emergencies
The building uses a code-compliant Colt Shaft system for the fire fighting stairs and lobbies and Smokemaster SM-5 smoke curtains on the balconies overlooking the atrium for compartmentalization of the smoke. This combination of systems allows for the safe evacuation and combating of the fire by the emergency services thereby reducing the risk of injury and structural damage.
The large glass facade allows a great deal of solar heat gain to enter the building, which is counteracted by the integrated natural ventilation system.
A Colt Shaft system can increase the amount of useable space.
