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| Smoke prevention in stairwells  The amended technical specifications for buildings that came into effect in July 2009 have further increased the smoke prevention requirements in vertical escape routes. The last change of similar scale was the introduction in 2002 of the requirement that door closing be to at least EI 30 (and therefore with self-closing devices) for entrances to stairwells in buildings of medium height, as well as in many low ones. The obligation to use smoke prevention devices in stairwells ensuring the relevant pressurisation has now been extended to all high-rise buildings, and, with the exception of residential buildings and industrial premises, to all taller buildings as well.In some countries the pressurisation method is used even more extensively. In Finland, where until now the annual number of fatalities per million inhabitants has been half as high as for example Polands, a government programme has been adopted. The Finnish programme aims to reduce the number of fatalities to a quarter within five years, by a number of measures, including applying this method in residential buildings of medium height and in some low-builds as well. Fläkt Woods Smoke Master SMIA (see picture) and Smoke Master SMPA systems are used to achieve this. The systems comply with the requirements of Standard EN 12101-6: "Smoke and heat control systems – Part 6: Specification for pressure differential systems – Kits". Prior to design, it is essential that the class of the system be specified, based on the type of area in use or type of building protected. The basis for classifying buildings is their intended purpose, but application of this criterion on its own leads to over-simplification. The class may be upgraded based on an evacuation plan, or the size of the building, for instance. Using various data, the system designer should specify the class of the building in consultation with a fire safety expert. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Construction News :: home page |