Brompton Bicycles, London

As a responsible building manager, ensuring the safety of your occupants should be your top priority. However, one crucial aspect of building safety that is often overlooked is the maintenance and repair of smoke control systems – as these systems are often hidden in walls and ductwork, they are frequently forgotten. Due to patchy record-keeping, some building managers may not even realise that they have these types of systems installed in their buildings and therefore inadvertently overlook their maintenance and repair. 

Smoke ventilation systems are installed in a wide range of building types (most typically multi-storey and large, open-plan single-storey) and are designed to protect lives and property in the event of a fire - ignoring their maintenance can lead to catastrophic consequences.

Smoke ventilation systems are used to remove heat and smoke from buildings during a fire. They keep escape routes clear for people evacuating the building and also make access routes into the building safer for the firefighting service and first responders. This enables them to reach those in need and the source of the fire more quickly.  

In this article, we'll explore the hidden dangers of neglecting smoke control system repairs and why proactive maintenance is essential for any building.

As an architect, it is crucial to stay up to date with the latest legal requirements to ensure the safety and well-being of occupants in high-rise residential buildings. One critical aspect of building safety is smoke ventilation, which plays a vital role in fire prevention and evacuation procedures. In this blog, we will outline the current legal requirements for smoke control in residential buildings, including the latest updates in the Building Safety Act.

Both pressurization systems and smoke shafts are commonly used for smoke control in buildings to protect escape routes. But how do you decide what approach to take for your building? The decision is influenced by legislation and standards, building configuration, budget and space requirements - there is no universal “right” choice, but there’s certainly a best choice for each individual building. In this blog, we will give you an overview of the differences between these systems, how they work and other key comparisons that can help you understand what’s best for your project.