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Smoke dampers are part of fire protection systems and protect buildings in the event of fire. Although they differ in the type of drive, their installation itself looks similar, regardless of the lifting mechanics. We explain what this process looks like in practice using the example of flaps with a pneumatic actuator.
Our company offers high-quality fire protection solutions. We encourage you to contact us: Tel/fax.: +48 (32) 236 30 05 or learn more about the details of our smoke vents: https://www.gulajski.pl/klapy-dymowe/
When installing smoke extraction systems on the roof, several important rules should be followed, including:
Installation should be carried out by qualified professionals who have the appropriate qualifications and experience in such work.
Before starting the installation, make sure that the smoke extraction device is properly selected for the size and shape of the roof and for the intended room.
It is necessary to ensure proper sealing to avoid water leakage and ensure impermeability to smoke.
All connections between the smoke extraction unit and the roof covering must be made in accordance with the principles of construction practice and safety standards.
Installation of smoke dampers must be carried out in accordance with applicable regulations and construction standards, such as e.g. PN-EN 12101-2.
The device must be easily accessible to personnel carrying out cleaning or maintenance.
Popular smoke vent sizes usually start at 100×100 cm. However, before choosing a specific size, be sure to carefully measure your roof and take into account any non-standard features or obstructions that may affect installation. In addition, it is worth remembering that the damper must be designed and constructed in a way that ensures fire resistance to ensure the safety of building users.
Installation of smoke vents step by step
Smoke vents are placed on flat roofs or roofs with a slight slope, as well as in staircases. Their installation is a complicated process that requires experience, appropriate tools and protection. As a rule, it is better to leave it to professionals, but if you intend to act on your own, it is worth preparing for it properly.
Our guide can help with this.
- We start the process by preparing an appropriate opening in the roof, which should be provided for already at the stage of planning the building structure. These can be holes intended for this purpose or, for example, former roof hatches, as long as they are of appropriate size and installation in these places will meet safety standards.
- If the first point has been completed, we can proceed to attach the first elements. We will start by screwing the pressure frame with hinges, which we secure with cotter pins. After installing the hinges, we proceed to attach the traverse – here it will be necessary to use a belay to prevent falls from a height – remember that we are on the roof and move around a large opening under which there is an abyss.
- The next step will be to install the mechanism that causes the device to open, in the form of an actuator and a spring mechanism that will release it. This stage will be extremely important, because the proper configuration of these elements determines the opening during a fire.
- It’s time to mount the actuator to the base and the tilting element. To do this, tighten the flap and use a counter in the form of a nut. The mechanism is to function in such a way that after opening it will be blocked from closing again.
- The next stage is the installation of the cables and the firing pin, which should be directed downwards. Having the element set in this way, we can proceed to attach the alcohol ampoule, which we tighten by hand to the maximum. The CO₂ cartridge is also a part that needs to be screwed in – in the case of this part, we first tighten the spring as much as possible, and then turn it 1/4 turn.
- We return to the cylinder, fastening it in such a way that the tie rod (usually steel wire) has freedom of 1.5 cm, so that it will be possible to unfasten it when the pneumatic cylinder is extended. This solution prevents the mechanism from breaking out when the smoke exhaust element is unlocked.
- The next step is to install the relief cables – to do this, first support the flap, e.g. with a board, to relieve the actuator. This is followed by locking cables, usually delivered in parts and assembled on site. With these steps completed, we can lower the device, releasing the locking ring before latching, e.g. due to wind during a fire. In this way, the lid is closed and locked on the cylinder.
- Finally, it remains to screw the flashings fixing the boards, covering them with a CL gasket, which, in addition to ensuring tightness, will also be a kind of compress protecting the boards against thermal expansion.
Installing fire protection systems requires appropriate skills, tools and compliance with safety standards, which will result in high quality building protection. It is worth remembering these rules if you want to start installing smoke vents yourself.
See in which situations the installation of smoke dampers is necessary
The installation of smoke dampers is necessary and required by fire regulations in the case of buildings where there may be a fire hazard and it is necessary to ensure the safety of building users by securing escape routes.
Situations in which the installation of smoke dampers is required by fire regulations:
- In public buildings such as shopping malls, hotels, hospitals, theaters, cinemas, stadiums, etc.
- In residential buildings with a height of more than 25 meters or with a built-up area of more than 1000 square meters.
- In industrial halls, warehouses, sports facilities and other facilities with large spaces.
- For fire-prone facilities such as refineries, power plants, chemical plants, etc.
A smoke extraction system plays an important role in a fire protection system, as it allows smoke and heat to be extracted from the rooms, while allowing the building to be left quickly and safely. Therefore, in accordance with the regulations, these devices should meet specific norms and standards of fire resistance and have certificates confirming its properties.
We encourage you to contact our engineers:
Our company offers high-quality fire protection solutions. We encourage you to contact us: Tel/fax.: +48 (32) 236 30 05 or learn more about the details of our smoke vents: https://www.gulajski.pl/klapy-dymowe/
Autor: Tomasz Matuszek; Dział Marketingu - Firma Gulajski