40 air conditioning & ventilation


Fire safety, smoke control and compliance. Charting a path


through the regulations By Nelson Godinho – Fire Engineer with SE Controls


and absolutely vital to ensure that these systems not only operate faultlessly when they’re needed, but also provide effective safety protection and allow people to escape. Even so, you would probably be surprised by


T


the number of construction companies that find that Building Control has rejected the structure due to the omission of a smoke ventilation system, which is required by law for any residen- tial building of three storeys and above. Clearly, there’s no suggestion that designers,


specifiers and building companies are brazenly flouting the regulations, but it is apparent that the main issue is ignorance of the complex and essential regulatory framework that governs this sector. But, as is often quoted, “Ignorance is no defence.”


Navigating the maze


Building Regulations Approved Document B, The Machinery Directive and The Construction Product Regulations, via the various parts of the European EN12101 standard, provide a tight and far-reaching regulatory framework. Yet, this is only part of the story. The Smoke Control Association’s (SCA)


‘Guidance on Smoke Control to common escape routes in apartment buildings’ quickly became


he legislative environment governing the smoke control and fire safety industry is, unsurprisingly, complex, far-reaching


the default reference document for many design- ers, installers and approving authorities through- out the UK. Alongside this, BS 9991:2015, which covers


‘Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings – code of practice’ is also a vital reference when addressing fire safety speci- fication and requirements. However, for an effective route to achieving


compliance, the best starting point is the BS7346 – Part 8 Code of Practice. Prior to this, no single document existed that provided guidance for the industry from initial design, through installation to maintenance. The core benefit of BS7346-8 is that by adher-


ing to its guidelines; designers, installers and maintenance teams can create, install and operate a fully compliant smoke control system.


01543 443060 www.secontrols.com Enq. 128


Glidevale presents intelligent, ultra-low maintenance ventilation system


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lidevale, the specialist building products and ventilation solutions provider, has launched iPSV®, a humidity-


sensitive, intelligent passive stack ventilation system which requires virtually no maintenance once installed. Designed to combat harmful condensation, the energy efficient system is ideally suited to new build social housing and refurbishment projects. The system has no electrical connections


making installation straightforward. Once fitted, it requires no further adjustments or commissioning. With ‘intelligent’ yet simple components containing very few moving parts this has the net effect of lower lifetime costs. iPSV offers comparable and in some cases


superior energy efficiency compared with other ventilation systems. Operating without the need


for power, there are no direct CO2 emissions as a result of ventilating a property. “Efficient and effective ventilation is


mandatory under building regulations for modern airtight dwellings and to meet the need for low energy consumption,” says Senior


respond online at www.hbdonline.co.uk


Product Manager Laura Hughes. “Glidevale’s iPSV allows the most up-to-date


ventilation requirements to be met with ease.” A whole-house ventilation system, iPSV is


controlled by responsive air inlets and extracts which react automatically to changes in relative humidity. When the condensation risk is high, the humidity-sensitive control provides an automatic boost effect to allow greater airflow. As the humidity levels fall, the airflow is reduced. Working silently 24 hours a day with no operating controls or electrical


connections, the iPSV system is less likely to be tampered with by occupants, ensuring that the system runs at optimal performance. With over 30 years in operation, the iPSV


system meets the requirements of Building Regulations and Standards in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, and is also BBA certified.


0161 905 5700 www.glidevale.com


Enq. 129


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