Smoke Ventilation Product Advice:
Building Control & Fire Brigade
The approval of fire safety issues, including smoke ventilation in the UK is the responsibility of the local authority building control departments. They also have a responsibility to consult with the local fire brigade.
Their interest is in establishing that the overall building design complies with legal safety requirements as exemplified by the building regulations. Their approval for more complex buildings may take into account fire engineered solutions using fire alarm upgrades plus sprinklers, smoke control zones and smoke extract systems.
In addition to being satisfied that the overall design is correct they will want to be assured that equipment used for smoke control meets national standards. British Standard EN12101 is for equipment to be used in smoke control systems with part 1 for smoke barriers, Part 2 for natural smoke ventilators and Part 3 for powered smoke ventilators. Independant certification of compliance is required.
Fire officers will also want to be assured that the overall building design produces as safe an environment as is practical for fire fighters to enter in accordance with current health and safety standards.
Once installed all systems should be certified as operating in accordance with the agreed design specification. This should be done by the installation company and may need a demonstration to the client, building control and possibly by the local fire brigade fire prevention officer. This document should be logged on the buildings fire file for inspection by the fire brigade as and when requested.
Annual testing and recertification is required with the building fire file updated with a current certificate.