Smoke and Heat Ventilation Systems

RWA today
Fundamentals of electrically driven natural smoke and heat exhaust systems. Recommendation standards and legislation. Planning aids and guidelines.

Effective smoke control and natural ventilation combined.

RWA today

Contents
1.
Introduction Preface Preface of ZVEI specialist group for smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems Page 3 3

2.

General Information Fire formation Fire progress and the spread of smoke Development of smoke Dangers and effects of smoke Protection of building structures Principle and objectives of natural Smoke ventilation

4 4 5 6 7 9

3.

Electric driven smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems Smoke and natural ventilation combined Actuator drive units Operation and control Manual control devices Automatic operation via smoke detectors Heat sensors Daily ventilation Manual ventilation Automatic comfort control External connections

10 11 11 12 12 13 13 13 13

4. 5.

Specifications and guidelines National construction standards and building regulations

14

Planning aids Ventilator sizing Locating smoke and heat vent openings Wiring systems Quality mark Vds approval

16 17 18 20

6.

Services Design and installation of systems Maintenance

22 22

7.
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Conclusion

23

8.

Publication notes

23

Preface

Introduction by Mr Kurt Klingsohr Dipl-ing Chief Fire Officer (Retired)

For centuries, the destructive power of fire has forced man to take preventive measures. Solid roofing and fire walls were tried and developed to limit the spread of fire and associated material damage, and with improved modern materials is still basically applied today. We know that it is the smoke which accompanies fire, not the energetic effect of the fire itself, that endangers human life and health and that these legally protected rights must be our first concern in all fire protection efforts. Fire fatalities are smoke fatalities. The predominant cause of death in fire is exposure to and the inhalation of the smoke. The products of combustion, often very hot and toxic, are blinding causing reduced visibility leading to panic reactions delaying not only public escape but the rescue efforts of the fire authorities. At the same time smoke contributes substantially to property damage.

These dangers are best met by the evacuation of smoke from the buildings. A fire must be ventilated so that the smoke does not spread throughout the building especially not into lobbies, corridors and staircases, which serve as escape routes. The introduction of natural smoke and heat ventilators can be an effective way to achieve this aim and this publication will help the reader to understand the basic principles of natural smoke ventilation and how these facilities are to be dimensioned, manufactured and maintained Recognising the importance of natural smoke ventilation as a component of a complete integrated fire fighting system I commend the essential views of this publication as a step towards better smoke ventilation control and thereby better overall fire protection.

Preface

by ZVEI The Specialist group for smoke and heat ventilation

Preventive fire protection is one of the most important measures serving to protect human life and health, and necessary for the preservation of structural works. The rapid developments in building technology in most recent times have brought with them increased demands on fire protection systems. Since almost 90% of all fire victims are killed primarily by smoke poisoning, smoke and heat ventilation systems have become an indispensable part of fire protection strategies. In many countries of the world it is now law that properly designed and installed smoke ventilation systems are incorporated into the design, construction and use of buildings. The group member companies of the ZVEI, specialising in electrically driven smoke and heat

ventilation systems, are available to inform and advise Architects, Consultants and Building Owners, of the up to date developments in products and control systems. In addition to provide design and planning assistance in selecting the most appropriate smoke control system for specific projects. The aim of this publication is to highlight the modes of operation and advantages of electrically driven smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems in a clear and comprehensive way, outlining the minimum requirements for achieving effective smoke vent control.

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General information on smoke and heat vents

Fire formation
For combustion to occur, three things must be present: 1. a flammable substance 2. an ignition source of sufficient energy 3. oxygen During a fire, considerable quantities of combustion products like smoke gases, oxides, and thermal energy are produced. The most important function of a smoke and heat vent is to effectively evacuate these combustion products from the building.

Fire progress and the spread of smoke

The progress of a fire is for the most part determined by the composition of the burning material, the supply and concentration of oxygen, and the resultant combustion temperature.

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Development of smoke gas quantities

Any type of combustion leads to development of smoke gases, which are toxic and poisonous. The enormous quantities of smoke gas that can develop within a very short time when materials burn can be seen clearly in the diagram below. Building materials used for sound proofing or heat insulation in particular produce very high quantities of smoke gas when burnt. Without a smoke and heat vent, rooms and buildings can be filled completely with smoke gases within just a few minutes. The combustion of just small quantities of foam rubber can fill a staircase completely within just a few minutes.

General information on smoke and heat vents

General information on smoke and heat vents

The dangers of smoke

Smoke and fire products cause considerable damage by deposition and corrosion to the contents and fabric of a building. The principle concern however is the effect of smoke products on people. SMOKE KILLS. Fire fatalities are smoke fatalities as statistics indicate the predominant cause of human death and serious injury in fires is exposure to smoke and its constituents, which may well be toxic, with high concentrates of carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide, and many irritants such as acrolein and hydrogen chloride.

Extremely high temperatures of inhaled smoke can also be lethal, causing severe burning to the lungs and respiratory tract. Smoke also reduces visibility leading to disorientation, panic and restriction on movement and evacuation. The combined effect of the foregoing is the cause of deaths, poisoning and considerable permanent internal injuries of fire victims. An illustration of the effects of inhaling just one of the many constituent of fire smoke is given below.

* ppm = parts per million

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Development of a fire and the spread of smoke in non-vented buildings

General information on smoke and heat vents

Large quantities of smoke and hot gases rise from the fire into the area and roof space immediately above to form a smoke layer. As the fire develops the layer of hot gases becomes progressively deeper until the area is completely smoke logged

hindering evacuation and effective fire fighting. Eventually the massively high temperatures of the combustion gases will cause the collapse and destruction of the building structure.

Building structures protected by smoke and heat exhaust systems

Worldwide government, local authorities, property developers, insurance companies and building owners recognise, and now widely accept, the importance of smoke and heat ventilation in the preservation of Human life, buildings and their contents. The function of smoke and heat ventilation systems are defined in many country and state specifications and standards, an example being DIN 18232. It is to release smoke and heat in the case of a fire, helping to reduce the fire load on building components. Smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems should have properly dimensioned and positioned inlet and exhaust ventilators, correctly located and installed within the building structure. To be effective the ventilators located within the

vicinity of the fire must open promptly with an adequate intake of fresh air. Automatic venting will usually result in earlier venting than manual activation by building occupants or Fire brigade thus a building may be more easily prevented from becoming smoke logged, if automatically vented. A properly designed and installed system is essential in confining fire damage and early venting will reduce the formation and accumulation of flammable gases by the restriction of incompletely burnt hydro carbons and the collection of unburnt gases. The total burden on economics as a result of fire and related damage reached for example: 14.5 billon Euro in Germany alone during 1998 forever driving corporate expenditure on personnel and property insurance upwards.
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General information on smoke and heat vents

Protective aims of smoke and heat ventilation

Because building fires cannot be prevented, the smoke and heat vent is of central importance for preventive fire protection.

The protection aims are:

Protection of human lives

The protective aims are achieved by:

Protection of human lives:

To keep escape routes free of smoke.

Active rescue. Passive rescue. Location of the fire.

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Environmental protection

Environmental protection:

Reduction of environmental damage.

Minimization of fire extinction damage. Minimization of extinguishing agents.

Preservertion of material assets

Preservation of material assets:

Preservation of building structures.

Support of fire-fighting efforts. Ventilation of the fire. Minimization of thermal stress.

Principle and objective of natural smoke ventilation

The basic principle of smoke and heat ventilation systems is to release heat and smoke from a building under fire conditions with emphasis on the protection of Human Life and property. In the initial stages of a fire heat, smoke and hot gases rise to the ceiling or roof space then spread and form a layer which accumulates downwards. Early automatic opening of roof ventilators is encouraged to continuously remove the heat and smoke rising from the fire in an attempt to achieve a point of equilibrium at which point the production rate of hot gases is equal to the rate of discharge through the ventilators. The objective being to provide a clear layer of good visibility near floor levels permitting safe and orderly evacuation and to enable fire fighters to see and tackle the blaze in addition to reducing temperatures and the risk of building collapse.

General information on smoke and heat vents

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Smoke vent, electric motor operated

Smoke and natural ventilation combined

The electric motor driven system for smoke and heat ventilation consists essentially of the components illustrated in the schematic below. The control system is divided into two main parts. Heat and Smoke release in the case of Fire and daily natural ventilation. Emergency operation is triggered by the activation of either automatic alarms or manual alarm switches, to drive open the actuators of the smoke and heat release ventilators. Modern day control systems also provide for full automatic system monitoring and fault indication and the provision of secondary power supply via battery backup. A wide range of control for Natural Ventilation is achieved from simple manual open/close switches to fully automatic climatic control featuring wind, rain and temperature detection. In all cases the emergency control has overriding priority on the natural ventilation. Expandable modular design principles ensure that designers and planners specific requirements can be met by selecting only the control functions to suit their system. Multi group and zoning facilities ensure total control and protection. Benefits of electrically driven systems include 1. Reliable manual operation. 2. Fast, efficient automatic operation via smoke and fire detection systems. 3. Constant system status monitoring. 4. Provision for remote fault and alarm indication. 5. Low cost Natural Ventilation. 6. Architecturally pleasing products.

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Actuator drive units

The most important component of a system is the electromechanical drive unit, (actuator) used to open and close the smoke vent flap, window or louvre. Any actuator used to operate a smoke and heat release ventilator must meet the following requirements: 1. Proven and certified suitable for smoke and heat release vents. 2. Can be used regularly for Natural Ventilation. 3. Modern in design and fully adaptable in application. Actuators produced by manufacturers belonging to the ZVEI are developed and produced for smoke and heat ventilation applications. Decades of experience backed up by product Technical requirements include: 1. Load testing to prove strength, stability and ability to cope with snow and wind loadings 2. A wide range of sizes and strokes to cater for various vent sizes. 3. Speed and proven reliability 4. Automatic limit stops 5. Ability to operate at high temperatures up to 300 deg C 6. 10,000 life cycle operation. testing and certification ensure that the products produced by ZVEI member companies are proven suitable for smoke and heat ventilation. Quality assured production methods ensure the highest degree of product reliability. Modern actuator designs provide the prefect blend of performance and aesthetics continually demanded by architects and planners.

Smoke vent, electric motor operated

Emergency control and operation

The application of smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems has become widespread and its importance in assisting the evacuation of people from buildings, reducing fire damage and financial loss by averting smoke logging, benefiting fire fighters reducing temperatures and checking lateral spread of flame is firmly established. For those benefits to be achieved it is essential that the system controls operate fully and reliably whenever called upon to do so during the installed life. Also that the control equipment selected meets the highest manufacturing standards and approvals and the manufacturer has a proven track record in this life saving equipment. Larger system controls tend to be bespoke systems purposely built to fulfill the design and regulatory requirements of a specific building.
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The technical specification for the control system, its power supply device and mode of operation of the Smoke and Heat Ventilation System must fulfill at least the minimum requirements currently in force and laid down in its Country regulation and specifications and is of a proven and tested manufacturer. For smaller 1 Smoke group/zone systems such as stairwells with only 1 or 2 vents, proprietary approved systems exist incorporating provision for automatic and manual activation.

Smoke vent, electric motor operated

Based mainly on a modular expandable system having the facility to offer multi smoke group zoning. Important features for electrical control systems and the power supply device included. 1. Primary and secondary power supplies. 2. Each power supply to be capable of operat-

ing all drive units at the same time. 3. Secondary power supply to be maintained for at least 72 hours operation. 4. Emergency controls to have override priority over day-to-day ventilation. 5. Continuous monitoring of system for fault and malfunction. 6. Remote indicating facilities.

Manual control device

The electric manual control device provides for manual operation of the smoke and heat vent system (usually for Firemen use.) it also indicates the operating condition of the system. The execution is regulated in the guideline VdS 2592. The guideline does not preclude flush mounting into the building structure. In this case, a frame must be used to recess the alarm switch into the wall. The prescribed mounting height is for the centre of the alarm switch to be mounted 1400mm 120mm above the floor. The colour of the manual alarm switch should be orange (as per RAL 2011).

Automatic alarms
Smoke detector The most common detector is the light-scatter detector, commonly called an optical detector. This smoke detector is characterised by its wide range of application, operational, reliability and fast smoke recognition. Tested detectors (as per DIN EN 54, part 7) provide a maximum amount of safety. Thermal detector There are two different variants: the thermomaximal detector, which responds to a particular temperature and the thermo-differential detector, which measures the quantity of temperature rise per time unit and issues an
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Fire alarm systems and sprinkler facilities Volt free auxiliary contacts of fire alarm systems can be used to automatically operate the smoke and heat vent system. When an automatic fire extinction facility (sprinkler) is operated in conjunction with a smoke and heat vent, the smoke vent system can be opened independently even before the triggering of the sprinkler system. Recent scientific findings and field trials have shown that sprinkler release time is not or insignificantly influenced by already opened smoke and heat vent systems. A heat and smoke exhaust system should operate independantly of any sprinkler system.

alarm at a particular value.

Daily comfort ventilation Natural

A major benefit to the user of the electric motor driven smoke and heat vent system is the daily ventilation facility. The user can finely regulate the room conditions in the accustomed manner. On account of a multitude of control options from manual to fully automatic acceptable comfort ventilation levels can be achieved.

Smoke vent, electric motor operated

Manual ventilation Manual

Manual ventilation can be operated using a ventilation switch or, if prioritisation of users is required, by a key-operated switch. Different adjustment variants are available.

Natural ventilation Automatic

For automatic ventilation, modern smoke and heat vent systems can be connected and operated in conjunction with a buildings air conditioning or mechanical ventilation systems. Automatic control options include. Time: Temperature: Relative humidity: Wind and rain: timer thermostat hygrometer wind velocity indicator and rain detector

External connections
All connections to non system-specific components are termed external connections. A connection to external facilities is often used to integrate a fire alarm system or a building management system (BMS). The fire alarm system can in this case serve either as an external alarm trigger or as a display and alarm indicator. The BMS is commonly used for the daily ventilation application and as a fault indication display.
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Regulation and guidelines

National construction standards, building regulations and local district/state requirements

Whilst the basic principle and benefits of smoke ventilation are well known and there is worldwide recognition of the value of smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems, the rules for the provision of smoke ventilation systems still vary from country to country. British standard BS5588 ff outlines fire precauNational standards and building regulations stipulate that building structures must be designed and constructed in such a way that prevents the outbreak and spread of fire and smoke tions in the design construction and use of buildings for the UK often cross referencing to move specific BS standards. These are sometimes supplemented regionally by local authority requireand that there are measures to provide for the protection of escape and rescue routes for humans and animals alike and to assist effective fire fighting by the removal of smoke and toxic gases.

Federal State of Germany MBO

Smoke vent when?

More than 5 above ground stories or inside necessary staircases.

Smoke vent where? Smoke vent, what size?

At the uppermost location of staircases. At the uppermost location. Windows can be equipped as smoke vents, if located high enough. At the uppermost location of staircases. At the uppermost location of staircases. At the uppermost location of staircases. At the uppermost location of staircases. At the uppermost location of staircases. At the uppermost location of staircases. At the uppermost location of staircases. At the uppermost location of staircases. At the uppermost location of staircases. At the uppermost location of staircases. At the uppermost location of staircases. At the uppermost location of staircases. At the uppermost location of staircases. At the uppermost location of staircases. At the uppermost location of staircases. 5% minimum size of the base area or at least 1m Minimum size 1m

Control panels where?

Ground floor and uppermost stair landing. Ground floor, further control panels can be demanded.

More than 5 above ground stories BadenWrttemberg or inside necessary staircases.

Bavaria Berlin Brandenburg

More than 5 above ground stories or inside staircases. More than 5 above ground stories or inside staircases. More than 5 above ground stories or inside staircases. More than 5 above ground stories or inside necessary staircases. With existing staircase on outer wall with more than 5 stories or inside staircases. Building category G or inside staircases More than 5 above ground stories or inside necessary staircases. More than 6 stories.

According to instructions. 5% minimum size of the base area or at least 1m 5% min. size of the base area or at least 1m. Additional air on ground floor same quantity. Front door and locking device allowed. 5% minimum size of the base area or at least 1m 5% minimum size of the base area or at least 1m 5% minimum size of the base area or at least 1m 5% minimum size of the base area or at least 1m 5% minimum size of the base area or at least 1m 5% minimum size of the base area or at least 1m 5% minimum size of the base area or at least 1m 5% minimum size of the base area or at least 1m Minimum size 1m 5% min. size of the base area or at least 1m. Additional air on ground floor same quantity. Front door and locking device allowed. 5% minimum size of the base area or at least 1m 5% min. size of the base area or at least 1m. Additional air on ground floor same quantity. Front door and locking device allowed.

According to instructions. Ground floor and uppermost stair landing. Further control panels can be demanded. Ground floor and uppermost stair landing. Maximum distance 3 stories. Ground floor and uppermost stair landing. Ground floor and uppermost stair landing. Further control panels can be demanded. Ground floor and uppermost stair landing. Further control panels can be demanded. Ground floor and uppermost stair landing. Ground floor and uppermost stair landing. Further control panels can be demanded. Description smoke vent display RWA open/ closed. Ground floor and uppermost stair landing. Ground floor and uppermost stair landing. Further control panels can be demanded. Ground floor and uppermost stair landing. Further control panels can be demanded. Ground floor and uppermost stair landing. Further control panels can be demanded. Ground floor and uppermost stair landing. Maximum distance 3 stories. Further control panels can be demanded. Ground floor and uppermost stair landing. Ground floor and uppermost stair landing. Maximum distance 3 stories. Further control panels can be demanded.

Bremen Hamburg

Hesse* Mecklenburg West Pomerania Lower Saxony North Rhine Westphalia RhinelandPalatinate Saarland Saxony SaxonyAnhalt SchleswigHolstein

More than 5 above ground stories or inside necessary staircases. More than 5 above ground stories or inside necessary staircases. More than 5 above ground stories or inside necessary staircases. Buildings of non low hight or inside necessary staircases More than 5 above ground stories or inside necessary staircases. More than 5 above ground stories or inside necessary staircases. More than 5 above ground stories or inside necessary staircases.

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Thuringia

Regulation and guidelines

ments which can impose more arduous conditions for the provision of smoke ventilation or indeed relax the requirement. The same can be said of Germany where the MBO standard building regulations form the basis for the state building regulations. The fire protection aims are sectioned and categorised within the MBO. Most German Federal States now adopt the standard building regulations however there

are still many state to state variations dictating where and when smoke ventilation applies. One example is the MBO Garage Regulations which does not demand smoke ventilation whilst the Bavarian State Garage Regulations make very specific demands for smoke ventilation. The tables on these adjoining pages help to illustrate the variation in German National and Federal State regulations.

Appendix to HBO (Hessian Building Regulation) Building category A Detached apartment houses, weekend houses and holiday homes with no more than two apartments, in which dayrooms in no more than two stories are existing or possible as well as detached farms on up to 250 m2 base area and other attached houses of same size. Building category B Apartment houses, weekend houses and holiday homes with no more than three apartments, which do not fall within the ambit of buildings catagory A, and in which the floor of non of the stories with existing or possible dayrooms is located more than 5.85 m above the surface of land. Building category C Other buildings, which do not fall within the ambit of building category A, and in which the floor of non of the stories with existing or possible dayrooms is located more than 5.85 above the surface of land. Building category D Apartment houses, weekend houses and holiday homes with no more than six apartments, which do not fall within the ambit of buildings catagory A and B, and in which the floor of non of the stories with existing or possible dayrooms is located more than 7 m above the surface of land. Building category E Buildings, which do not fall within the ambit of building category A to D, and in which the floor in non of the stories with existing or possible dayrooms is located more than 7 m above the surface of land. Building category F Buildings, which do not fall within the ambit of building category A to E, and in which the floor in non of the stories with existing or possible dayrooms is located more than 14 m above the surface of land. Building category G Buildings, which do not fall within the ambit of building category A to F, and in which the floor of non of the stories with existing or possible dayrooms is located more than 22 m above the surface of the land. Multistoried buildings Buildings, in which the floor of one of the stories with existing or possible dayrooms is more than 22 m above the surface of the land.

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Planning aids

Smoke and heat vent openings

The dimensions of smoke and heat exhaust outlets should be such that smoke and combustion gases can be discharged to the atmosphere in sufficient quantities to ensure that an adequate smoke free layer is maintained inside a building in the event of a fire. This can only be achieved by ensuring that the smoke ventilation system has been correctly designed following all current design practices and guidelines. Once the design has established a vent area requirement it is necessary to select size and site the smoke vents. When air and hot gases pass through an opening, a permanently open vent, open window, smoke flap or louvre, there is a restriction to the flow imposed by the resistance of the perimeter edges of the opening including the resistance of the ventilator opening mechanisms, louvre vanes or tilting sashes. This resistance to flow is defined in the form of a coefficient that must be applied to the geometric area of the vent opening to arrive at its aerodynamic free area. It is this figure that must be Aw = aerodynamic free area m2 cv = flow coefficient Ag = geometric area a = clear opening width m b = clear opening height m Aerodynamic free area Aw = a x b x cv Geometric Area Ag = a x O m2 applied in selecting the number of ventilators to meet specific design needs.

Some ventilators, rooflights and windows will have flow coefficients established by test but in the absence of any specific test figures a factor must always be applied to the geometric area of the ventilator to arrive at an aerodynamic free area.

Typical flow coefficients for an outward opening tilting sash without consideration of side winds is illustrated in the table shown. Where it is necessary to provide designated air inlet vents to compensate any shortfall in make up air provided by infiltration through doorways, entrances and other smoke outlet vents in parts of the building not affected by the fire. A flow coefficient must be applied to these vents. Inlet vents may take the form of top hung outward opening; centre pivot or bottom hung inward opening windows.

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Opening angle 15 30 45 60 90

Flow coefficient 0,15 0,45 0,56 0,63 0,67

Planning aids

Smoke and heat exhaust flow conditions through vent outlets can be affected by wind pressure and for this reason careful consideration to the siting of ventilators within a building should be applied and reference to local topography is thus important. It is also confirmed by model testing that cross winds do have an effect on the flow coefficient of ventilators and allowances should be made to compensate. In addition the installed location must be chosen such that external obstructions such as walls, pipes, ducts or plant items do not hinder the outward flow or that products of combustion are deflected immediately on to adjacent building surfaces. In the absence of any definitive guidelines for the siting of ventilators where they are least affected by wind, there are many recommendations and good practice guides offering solutions to

specific location of vents, including wind direction control. The draft prEN 12101-2 illustrates installation parameters for mounting certain roof mounted ventilators. In the UK there is published a guide to good practice that recommends the maximum opening angle for vertically mounted bottom hung outward opening vents as 30 degrees, although British standard BS5588 pt 5 states that this type of vent should open to a minimum of 30 degrees. Clearly there is still much needed research to enable the true effects of wind condition on smoke outlets to be fully understood. To this end the ZVEI are funding a research project under the guidance of Prof. Dr Gerhard to establish the effects of wind conditions on vertically mounted smoke outlets.

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Planning aids

Wiring systems

By combining modern electronics with high performance drives and alarm technology electric driven smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems can respond and operate very quickly and reliably. At the heart of every smoke and heat exhaust ventilation system is the smoke and heat control system incorporating a control panel with a power pack supply and the wiring system. To ensure the requirements for the proper functioning and intended use of the installation it is highly recommended that suitably proven and tested control panels are selected and that all smoke and heat control circuits have cables selected for their fire resisting and screening properties. Wiring systems for the power supply to electric driven smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems are needed to operate in the event of a fire and thus the wiring system must be of a type and installed in a manner such that in the event of a fire anywhere in the building the circuit will continue to operate and the cables will maintain circuit integrity, enabling the smoke and heat exhaust ventilation system to operate effectively. The wiring system must incorporate the special features necessary for achieving fire resistant category and equally important is the need to ensure that correct terminators, shrouds and sheaths are used. Fire rated trailing leads are the preferred connection to actuators as these ensure the integrity of the wiring system connection to the drive unit of the actuator during fire conditions. If plug connections to actuators are being considered then it is very important that suitable plugs are selected that will retain the integrity of the wiring system during fire conditions.
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cables, terminators, shrouds and sheaths and the requirements for installation. Fire retardant cables manufactured to DIN 4102 or BS6387 are deemed suitable for smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems. ZVEI members recommend that wiring systems used should be selected such that they shall comply with the relevant requirements of the country of installations National Standard or CENELEC harmonized standard appropriate to the intended use of the equipment. The edition of the standard shall be the current edition with those amendments pertaining at the date of installation.

Secondary power supply. To reduce the risk of the loss of electrical supply in a fire a secondary power supply is essential. 24-volt battery sets should be provided to ensure this secondary means of power supply in the event of mains power failure to the control set. The secondary supply should have sufficient capacity to maintain the emergency heat and smoke ventilation system operational for a given period of time. Normally 72 hours. The changeover from the primary power supply to the secondary power supply needs to be automatic so that the heat and smoke ventilation system remains continuously in operation.

Comfort ventilation switches. Natural day to day comfort ventilation switch circuit wiring need not necessarily maintain circuit integrity in the event of a fire, however there

Various European National Standards are published to cover the manufacture and use of

Planning aids

is a need to minimise the risk from smoke and toxic fumes therefore these wiring systems should incorporate cables with low smoke emission and halogen free insulation and sheaths.

Cable screening. Concerning the emergency control command cables that signal and switch the drive units, it is preferred that as well as being fire rated these also incorporate screening properties to restrict electromagnetic interference and miss-signalling. And be separated from any circuit provided for

Wiring system cable sizes. Special attention must be paid to the cable sizing of the wiring system in particular the connecting cables between the smoke and heat vent control panel and the actuator drive units. These cables must be selected and sized based on the overall power consumption and cable length of a particular circuit in order to compensate for the voltage drop. Incorrect, undersized cables result in high voltage drop, consequence of which is overheating of the cables and the eventual failure of drive units should there not be enough voltage to activate the actuator electronic end switches. Voltage drop figures are expressed as Mv per A per M and this information would be available from the manufacturer of the cable being used in the selected wiring system with further guidance listed in the various national standards. Information as to circuit loadings and minimum operating voltages is readily available from ZVEI members. In most circumstances with careful siting of the control panels, 3 core cable will be sufficient, although in extreme cases of very long cable runs it may be necessary to install 5 core and pair up the drive circuit to increase the cross sectional area of the current carrying cables. Again reference to a ZVEI member company in this matter is recommended.

any other purpose, especially circuits carrying more than 50 volts. Cables to manually operated switches thermostats and rain sensors are run in relatively small sized cables, with typical core sizes of 1.0mm. Likewise connections to automatic detectors are run in similar size cables but where low voltages and long distance runs occur it is always advisable to seek clarification from the equipment manufacturer prior to installation. When connecting to a building management system screened signal cables must be used with the multicore cables often as small as 0.8mm.

Conclusion. All the required components for an electrically driven smoke and heat exhaust ventilation system must be carefully specified having due regard to all the relevant national standards and legislation for the country of installation.

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Planning aids

Quality mark VdS-approved systems for smoke venting staircases

Keeping staircases free of smoke is essential for evacuation of occupants and access for fire fighters. Country and state building regulations recognise this and effective smoke control measures are specified. The VdS loss prevention council in cooperation with the ZVEI have issued guidelines and specifications for the testing and quality requirements of electric motor driven smoke and heat ventilations products, including design installation and maintenance. VdS is a national testing and certification institution for all Fire Safety and Security Products affiliated to the European Fire and Security Council. electric control devices VdS 2581 electric power supply devices VdS 2593 electromechanical drives VdS 2580 electric manual control devices VdS 2592 requirements and testing methods for systems VdS 2594 Safety when choosing the system Foremost in achieving a faultless and reliable electric motor driven smoke and heat ventilation system is the preference and specification of VdS approved components. Selection and approval in accordance with VdS 2594 will ensure a high quality proven smoke and heat ventilation system. Design and Installation of electric motor driven smoke and heat ventilation systems for stairways Staircase and protective lobby ventilation is provided for escape and fire fighting purposes. Design should provide for selection of VdS approved products installed by qualified and suitably trained personnel clearly defined in VdS 2221 and 2222. The requirements of the VdS guidelines specify procedures for assessing the proven capabilities of the manufacturers designers and installation contractors responsible for the system, all of whom should be able to prove adequate training and experience in such systems as well as demonstrating a sound knowledge of the fundamentals of smoke ventilation engineering. The recommendations are for the installers to ensure that VdS approved products are used. In addition and equally important is the capability to provide service training and instruction for the maintenance and upkeep of the smoke ventilation system ensuring long term operational reliability for the building own-

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ers.

Planning aids

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Servicing

Design, installation and service

All ZVEI members and their associate companies are available and able to assist in the design and specification of heat and smoke ventilation systems providing technical advice and guidance based on the latest research and unrivalled experience. Thus ensuring that the basic principles and objectives of all the rele-

vant guidelines, specifications and standards of the country of installation are met. (DIN, VDE, VdS, BS, EN) Installation and commissioning should be carried out by qualified and suitably trained personnel, usually the manufacture or an approved specialist contractor.

Maintenance
It is essential for the safety of the occupants of a building that fire safety equipment is checked frequently. Although suitably trained personnel can undertake much checking, a formal agreement should be made with the installer, his agent or an accredited servicing organisation to provide regular inspection and testing. ZVEI publication RWA-aktuell outlines basic servicing and maintenance procedure for natural heat and smoke ventilation systems.

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Aims and responsibility of the members of the ZVEI specialist group for smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems
Members of ZVEI specialist manufacturers group see it as duty and responsibility in a modern and productive society, to fulfill the following aims to the best of their ability - to save lives - to ensure the protection of health and living space - to protect the environment - to achieve protection against property damage All member companies are certified to ISO 9000 ff and EN 29000 ff quality standards.

Conclusion

Natural smoke ventilation with electrically actuated drives a concept of the future
The aim of saving lives and property is fulfilled by providing automatically operated smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems. Early detection, short reaction times and speed of actuation of ventilators is vital in fulfilling this aim. By combining modern electronics with high performance drives and alarm technology electrically driven smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems respond and operate quickly and reliably.

Publication Notes
Publisher: ZVEI expert group for electric motor driven smoke and heat vent systems Editor: Working group for public relations Litarary directory list: Quenzel, K.-H.: Smoke and heat vent systems, 1st Edition, Brain Verlag. Esser, R.: Dangerous fire smoke, 1st Edition, Esser. VdS: Conference proceedings volume smoke and heat vent systems dated 19/10/94, 19/10/96 and 14/11/00. MBO: Standard Building Regulation, version dated 11/12/93, Bauverlag GmbH. Thomas, K-W.: Prescript smoke ventilation systems. Hagen, Eckhardt: Smoke and heat vent as component of modern fire protection strategies, Kleffmann Verlag GmbH. DIN 18232 T1 - T3: Structural fire protection in industrial buildings, Beuth Verlag. DIN EN 54 T 7: Point geometry smoke detectors, smoke detectors operating on the principles of scattered light, transmitted light or ionization, Beuth Verlag. DIN 12101 part 2 and part 4 system for controlling smoke and heat flows, Beuth Verlag. DIN 14655: Nonautomatic fire alarm G for use in dry rooms, Beuth Verlag. VdS 2159: Guidelines for smoke and heat vent systems, requirements for components and systems, VdS Verlag. VdS 2098/Form 3010: Guidelines for smoke and heat vents, VdS Verlag. VdS 2580 Electromechanical drives, VdS Verlag. VdS 2581 Electric control devices, VdS Verlag. VdS 2592 Electric manual control devices, VdS Verlag. VdS 2594 Smoke and heat vent systems, VdS Verlag. VdS 2521 Smoke and heat vent systems in staircases, VdS Verlag. Photos: Copyright by: Professional Fire Brigade Munich, (Page 4-5 background). Werbung & Design Armin Meier. Illustration/grafics: Werbung & Design Armin Meier Edition: New Edition, current 06/2001 Reprinting: also in extracts as well as for using in digital media, only by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved for technical modifications and errors!

RWA today Page 23

Further ZVEI publications: RWA aktuell, edition 01/2000: Maintenance of smoke and heat vent systems RWA aktuell, edition 02/2000: An article about the efficacy of smoke and heat vent systems in building walls

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