FIRE SAFETY
With smoke fans a critical component within the building, steps must be taken to ensure that they operate effectively during an emergency, as well as day to day.
safety systems within the building. Along with building changes come personnel changes, and unless thoroughly handed over by conscientious Facilities teams, service histories and maintenance records for axial fans get lost, and in time, the maintenance gets forgotten. We need to offer more support and guidance to these Facilities teams to ensure that our fire and smoke systems are safely maintained. Building occupants take for granted that this maintenance is happening, and deserve the reassurance that the smoke fans designed to keep them safe in case of a fire perform as they are meant to. For those living with a mechanically, electrically-managed, life-saving safety system, when and how it should be tested and serviced is very much dependent on how it is used. As a rule of thumb, if the information is available, then this generally indicates that the system is being maintained, but those responsible for building and equipment upkeep and maintenance should never be afraid to ask for clarity on when the products were made and installed, documentation for service dates, the products’ DoP, and relevant test certificates, or ask for a copy of the approved installer service scheme certificate. All these questions will identify gaps, which could save lives.
Key steps for maintenance When it comes to the maintenance of smoke fans, you can’t be too thorough. I would always recommend: 1 Get set up in the right way – all building designs will have fan requirements stated within the fire strategy; make sure that these match up. Determine the year of manufacture (pre-2005 or 2005 onwards), and that the fan being used is certified to EN 12101-3. It must also have a CE or UKCA label attached. Then check that you have the appropriate installation, operating, maintenance, and service instructions, and that a valid maintenance record exists.
86 Health Estate Journal January 2024
Nowadays, all smoke fans need to meet set building legislation, and to be certified to EN12101 Part 3 to be specified.
2 Test weekly with the full fire safety system – the Smoke Control Association (SCA) recommendation is that smoke control systems should be tested weekly, with each fan being tested at least once per week. They should be run up in accordance with the manufacturer’s operation and maintenance documentation, ideally for between 15 and 30 minutes, to minimise the risk of the lubrication grease hardening, and to reduce bearing corrosion. Recommended maintenance intervals are dependent on the fan function.
3 Identify weekly testing personnel – tests can be conducted by the building owner or by their nominated maintenance engineer to ensure that the system will operate effectively, just like the fire alarm system.
4 Book bi-annual servicing – a regular service (every six months) of all fans by a suitably trained, competent supplier to ensure that any underlying faults are dealt with is key. Look for a member of the SCA who specialises in fan maintenance and servicing. They will have been fully audited, so you know you have a reputable engineer. Third- party certification is important.
Simon Plummer
5 Keep everything updated and accessible. Fan installation records and associated DoP documents must be held in a safe and accessible location. This will provide critical access for review by fire authorities, risk assessors, and service and maintenance operatives. These records are for conducting a risk assessment of the smoke control systems. Dated and signed records are imperative.
If you are unsure of what fans are operating in your building, or need help with regular testing, always seek the help of an expert, and don’t put it off. As active members of the SCA, Nuaire has the technical knowledge and experience to provide further advice. We’re dedicated to the protection of buildings and those operating within them – through the manufacture of the best standard of axial fans and post-installation servicing.
Reference 1
Detailed analysis of fires attended by fire and rescue services, England, April 2020 to March 2021. Home Office, 30 September 2021. https://tinyurl. com/4a567e8t
and Nuaire Simon Plummer, Divisional manager for Axial Fans at , Nuaire, has worked within the HEVAC, and more specifically the fan industry, for 37 years. For the last 20 years he has specialised in car park ventilation and life safety products, as well as the design of their various systems, and is a recognised leader in his field. He has worked in engineering, production, and sales departments across a range of companies before joining Nuaire in 2021 as Divisional manager for Axials, and is a member of the Smoke Control Association.
Founded in 1966, Nuaire is an indoor air quality and ventilation manufacturing specialist based in South Wales, which serves and supplies commercial and residential customers.
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