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| Tamper Proof Manual Control Point  SE Controls have designed and introduced a new Tamper Proof Manual Control Point (MCP) for automatic opening smoke ventilation systems in new and existing smoke shaft applications. The new Tamper Proof MCP has been designed to the principles of prEN12101-9 in providing, system healthy, system fault and fault indication along with being coloured bright orange. Importantly the unit offers the essential status of a life safety system to allow fire officers to manually override the smoke ventilation system in the event of a fire and for preventative maintenance. When it comes to fire safety, the UK's new high rise residential buildings offer some of the safest accommodation available anywhere in the world. Regular preventative maintenance of these systems is crucial to ensure legal compliance. These systems are designed to operate automatically, should a fire occur, smoke is quickly evacuated from escape routes ensuring safe exit for residents.Traditional MCP's, offer an override switch which allows residents to manually operate the smoke ventilation system in a particular zone, overriding the automated system. The operation switch, normally under a hinged cover, is just used to reset the system and close the automatic opening vents within a smoke shaft or escape stair. There are a growing number of situations where these systems are being misused and potentially compromising the efficiency and effectiveness of the life safety system. Maintenance engineers have recorded occasions where residents are using smoke shafts to try and increase corridor ventilation and/or gain access to smoke shafts for storage. The more often the smoke ventilation system is misused in this way, increases the chance of it not operating correctly in an emergency situation and a higher risk that the system will be damaged requiring immediate repair. This is especially important for the building owner who is responsible for providing a well maintained smoke ventilation system. Residents are reminded that these systems are only for use in emergency, but often this advice is forgotten or ignored over time. SE Controls engineers have reported instances where roof smoke vents have been obstructed with penthouse pot plants, smoke shafts which have been used for storage areas which effectively block the smoke shaft, vent actuators broken and roof vents which have been opened for ventilation and have been badly damaged in high winds, amongst other damage. Student accommodation is particularly vulnerable to misuse and it is for this reason SE Controls has developed the Tamperproof MCP. The new Tamperproof MCP does offer a facility to open the smoke vents, but this is via a key fob operation from the base of the MCP. This allows key holders and maintenance engineers the ability to override the automated system and open the smoke vents for maintenance purposes. On the front of the MCP there are three status LED's, 'Power' shows that the system is live, 'Activated' shows that the smoke vents are operated and 'Fault' warns of a failure somewhere in the system which requires immediate attention. There is also a simple 'Reset' button which allows residents to reset the smoke vents to a closed position after an activation. The new Tamperproof MCP from SE Controls meets an immediate requirement for improved smoke ventilation provision in residential buildings meeting all the requirements of prEN12101-9, the Tamperproof MCP improves reliability of the system whilst helping keep preventative maintenance cost to a minimum. write your comments about the article :: © 2011 Construction News :: home page |