Smoke dampers are system solutions used to extract smoke and excess heat during a fire. They protect the structure of buildings and increase the chances of survival of people staying in burning rooms. They effectively reduce the concentration of CO in the air and reduce the risk of carbon monoxide. On a daily basis, smoke exhaust dampers work very well as ventilation devices. A smoke damper is a device installed in building ventilation systems, the main task of which is to remove smoke and heat generated during a fire. Smoke dampers prevent the spread of smoke and help to maintain a lower temperature in the building, which is crucial for the safety of evacuees and the work of emergency services.
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These solutions are used to ensure safety in the event of a fire by removing smoke and heat from the building. Their operation consists in enabling the removal of gas and heat generated during a fire outside the building. In the event of a fire, these fire protection elements. They open automatically or manually, thanks to which they enable quick and effective removal of smoke and heat from the building.
They are used in various types of buildings, such as industrial halls, warehouses, schools, hospitals, hotels and shopping malls. Depending on the specific building and its requirements, they can also be installed on the roof of the building, in the walls or on the ceiling.
Regulations for the installation of smoke dampers specify requirements for their size, fire resistance, type and method of opening, as well as other safety-related aspects. Usually, they are required to meet certain safety norms and standards and be certified.
They are a key element of the fire protection system, which is designed to protect people and property from the effects of fire. Their use increases safety and reduces the risk of serious material damage and threat to human life.
Where to use it?
The use of a smoke extraction system is one of the elements of fire protection. A properly designed system, equipped with appropriate and certified dampers, facilitates evacuation and rescue operations by firefighters in the event of a fire. They are installed in the roof part of the building, and the air polluted with carbon monoxide rises upwards, leaving the lower space free of smoke. In addition, they will also work well in non-life-threatening situations, as lighting elements, e.g. in staircases, they will be used to ventilate the building or as a roof hatch.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Individual Fit | For flat roofs, they are adapted to the individual needs of the customer, with the possibility of production to any dimensions. |
| Flexibility and Openness to Proposals | The company offers a flexible approach to unusual orders and specific project requirements. |
| Comprehensive design services | Services are offered from consultation, through needs analysis, design, to the final implementation and installation of the smoke extraction system. |
| Individual designs of smoke extraction systems | Individual designs of the smoke extraction system are created, adapted to the specifics of the building and the expectations of users, in accordance with standards and regulations. |
| BROOF / NRO smoke vents | Smoke vents that meet the stringent requirements of EN 12101-2, certified according to CE marking, classified as non-spreading. |
| Compliance with Polish Technical and Construction Regulations | They comply with Polish regulations, which is confirmed by the BROOF (t1) classification in terms of fire propagation. |
| Quality and Design Compliance Guarantee | The company ensures high quality products by carefully analyzing each order and adapting to the specific needs of the customer. |
Gułajski systems are designed and manufactured to meet the individual needs of customers, ensuring safety, functionality and aesthetics. The company offers comprehensive services, from design to installation, taking into account all standards and regulations, making them a reliable choice for SHEV systems.
The use of smoke vents works well in industrial halls, office buildings and apartment blocks. They are also increasingly found in places such as public buildings and large-format stores. This type of fire protection will work well in all building structures with flat roofs or with a slight slope (maximum 10 degrees). The effect of using this solution will be space savings and a significant reduction in investment costs.
Principle of operation of smoke vents
Each of the smoke vents has a trigger device responsible for opening and closing it.
The operation is most often integrated with the control panels of the smoke extraction system. In the event of a fire hazard, communication between the elements of the installation takes place automatically, and the signal from the so-called detector, activated as a result of detecting smoke, travels through the control panel directly to the actuator in the flap, causing its immediate opening. In this way of functioning, we are dealing with products equipped with an electric drive, and this type of solution can be configured with the SAP system.
The second application scenario concerns pneumatically driven dampers, which are usually found in production, storage and workshop rooms. Here, the operation will be based on the scheme of manual triggering of the actuator’s response by means of an alarm control box or in an automatic way, where the opening occurs as a result of the reaction of the fuse, the cracking of which causes the release of the thermometer’s needle and the puncture of the CO2 cartridge.
It is best to leave the selection of the appropriate smoke ventilation system to professionals who, based on their experience, will recommend a solution tailored to the nature and purpose of the building. In addition, they guarantee professional installation that meets all safety requirements.
Technical data of smoke dampers manufactured by Gulajski
Advantages:
Table showing various aspects and functions of gravity smoke dampers and smoke extraction systems:
| Function / Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Smoke removal | They remove smoke from the room during a fire. |
| Keeping the Smoke-Free Layer | They keep the smoke-free layer in the lower part of the room, which facilitates evacuation and rescue operations. |
| Building structure protection | It provides protection of the building structure against the effects of fire. |
| Reduction of fire losses | They reduce losses resulting from fire. |
| Illuminating rooms | It illuminates rooms thanks to the use of multi-chamber polycarbonate that transmits light. |
| Room ventilation | They ventilate rooms when they are equipped with the right actuator. |
| Roof access window function | It performs the function of a roof access window with the use of a 24V electric actuator. |
| Impact on fire resistance class | It reduces the fire resistance class of the building, increases the permissible fire zones and extends escape routes. |
Construction
Table showing the different components of smoke dampers and their characteristics and functions:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Smoke damper base | Made of galvanized steel sheet. A special system for attaching the base elements makes the inner surface uniform, without visible screws. Adapted to be insulated with mineral wool, polystyrene or PIR foam. Can be painted in a color from the RAL palette. |
| Clipping frame | Made of PVC, it aligns the top shelf of the base after roofing treatment. It ensures even adhesion of the gasket of the tilt segment, which guarantees the tightness of the flap. |
| Tilt segment | It consists of an aluminium frame and a multi-wall polycarbonate cover. It includes a PVC clip to reduce thermal bridges and increase insulation. Possibility of making a BROOF(t1)/NRO classification. |
| Actuator | It can be electric 24V or pneumatic CO2. In the case of pneumatic actuator, it is possible to add an electric actuator 230V for the purge function. The 24V electric actuator can realize the functions of smoke extraction and ventilation. |
Technical Parameters
Table showing the different classes and characteristics of smoke vents, along with their specifications:
| Class/Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Class RE 1000 | Reliable operation with 10000 cycles of opening and closing to the ventilation position and 1000-fold actuation of the trip system without loss of efficiency. Opening the flap in no more than 60 seconds. |
| Class WL 1500 | Wind load resistance equal to 1500Pa. |
| SL Class 250/550/750/950 | Reliable operation under load of 250N/m², 550N/m², 750N/m², 950N/m² respectively. |
| Class B300 | Temperature resistant to 300°C. |
| Heat transfer coefficient U | Values from 1.1 to 2.5 W/m²K, depending on the choice of roofing variants and base. |
| Covering | Made of polycarbonate with a thickness of 10, 16, 20, 21, 25, 27mm. Can be manufactured in accordance with BROOF(t1)/NRO requirements. |
BROOF / NRO smoke vents
BROOF smoke vents meet the stringent requirements of the European standard EN 12101-2 and are certified in accordance with the CE marking. The BROOF / NRO designation indicates that in the event of a fire, the smoke damper does not contribute to the spread of fire, which is confirmed by the classification (t1).
BROOF/NRO class smoke dampers are classified as non-fire spreading dampers.
In Poland, the t1 test method is used to determine the classification of equipment in terms of fire propagation. Solutions classified as BROOF (t1) are considered non-spreading fire according to Polish technical and construction regulations.
In summary, the BROOF/NRO classifications are a key indicator of how a solution behaves in the face of fire, especially in the context of its spread. This is extremely important for the safety of buildings and their residents.
For the BROOF classification, the tests are carried out on the basis of the Polish Standard PN-ENV1187:2004 concerning methods of testing the impact of external fire on roofs. For the NRO classification, on the other hand, the testing process is based on the European standard EN 12101-2, and products that meet these requirements are CE certified.
Smoke vent regulations
- Legal basis: Staircase smoke extraction systems, including the use of smoke dampers, are regulated by national technical and construction regulations and fire protection regulations. The key requirements for the operation of these systems are contained in § 207 of the Technical Conditions.
- Application and requirements: According to the regulations (§ 245, 246, 256 of the Technical Conditions), staircase smoke extraction systems are mandatory or optional depending on the specifics of the building and its intended use. These systems can include various solutions, such as gravity, mechanical, or pressure differential systems, and their main purpose is to ensure safe conditions for evacuation and operation of rescue teams.
- System selection and configuration: Choosing the right SHEV system depends on a variety of factors, including building height, stairwell layout, and safety conditions. Pressure differential systems offer the highest level of safety, but are also associated with higher investment costs.
- Execution errors: A common problem is improper system configuration, such as the failure to automatically open the compensation air inlet opening or improper placement of smoke detectors.
- Approval and supervision: Smoke extraction systems must undergo appropriate tests and tests before they are allowed to be put into use. In addition, regular technical inspections and maintenance activities are required in accordance with fire protection regulations.
The installation of smoke vents is imposed by the provisions of the Construction Law, in Poland regulated by the Act of 7 July 1994 – Construction Law (Journal of Laws of 2021, item 691, as amended). Specifically, the requirements for these fire protection systems. are contained in the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 12 April 2002 on the technical conditions to be met by buildings and their location (Journal of Laws of 2021, item 481, as amended) and in the Regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration of 7 June 2010 on fire protection of buildings, other structures and areas (Journal of Laws of 2021, item 1004, as amended).
The requirements are contained in chapter 5.5 of the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 12 April 2002 on the technical conditions to be met by buildings and their location. According to these requirements, smoke dampers are mandatory in high-rise buildings, i.e. with a height of more than 25 meters or in buildings with a built-up area of more than 1000 square meters.
In addition, the requirements are also included in chapter 3.3 of the Regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration of 7 June 2010 on fire protection of buildings, other structures and areas. According to these requirements, they must meet certain fire resistance standards and be installed in specific places in the building, such as staircases, passageways or auditoriums.
Additional solutions in systems using smoke extraction systems
Non-return valves and anti-odour filters are elements that can be used in ventilation systems using solutions to prevent the spread of smoke. Their task is to improve the functionality and efficiency of the system and to ensure safety in the event of a fire.
Check valves (also called one-way valves) are devices placed in ventilation ducts that allow air to flow freely in one direction and block the flow in the opposite direction. In the case of a ventilation system using a smoke damper, a non-return valve can be installed upstream of the damper, preventing the backflow of smoke or exhaust gases from the fire into the rooms.
An anti-odor filter (also called carbon filters or air fresheners) is used to remove unpleasant odors from the ventilation air. In the case of systems using a smoke damper, anti-odour filters can be installed inside the building, before air enters the ventilation system. These filters ensure that odours are effectively removed and the risk of smoke or exhaust gases from a fire entering the building is reduced.
| Solution | Description | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Smoke and heat detectors | Devices that detect the presence of smoke or excessive temperature, signaling a potential fire hazard. | Rapid detection and response to fire, initiating the smoke extraction process. |
| Control systems | Advanced systems managing the operation of smoke extraction system components, such as smoke dampers, fans, detectors. | Automation of the smoke extraction process, optimization of response to the detected threat. |
| Smoke dampers | Devices that open automatically when smoke is detected, allowing it to be extracted. | Enabling smoke and heat to escape, providing safe escape routes. |
| Smoke exhaust fans | Devices supporting the smoke extraction process by forcing air movement. | Effective smoke extraction from endangered areas, supporting natural smoke extraction. |
| Emergency lighting | Lighting systems activated in the event of a power failure or fire detection. | Ensuring visibility and safety during evacuation in smoky conditions. |
| Fire alarm systems | Alarm devices informing about the detection of fire in the building. | Quick information for building users and emergency services about the threat. |
| Fire barriers | Structural elements to reduce the spread of fire and smoke. | Protection against the spread of fire, protection of escape routes. |
Both of these elements – non-return valves and anti-odour filters – are not required by law, but they can complement the ventilation system and increase the safety and comfort of using the building.
Solutions of this type are becoming more and more popular. Details of the offer can be found on the website of the manufacturer, Navotech:
Autor: Tomasz Matuszek; Dział Marketingu - Firma Gulajski