Alarm system with AOV, Smoke Vent, Smoke extract fan ? Help

[saffsam]

Hi there I have searched all over and read building regs Part B Vol 1 and I need some help please. I am midway through a 3 story house into flats conversion and building regs require a smoke vent installed in the common lobby/stairwell area that is activated by smoke detectors as part of the alarm system. The problem is that this stairwell lobby has no external walls as it is at the back of the house and ajoins another terraced house so I can't just put a louvre on the wall and vent direct to the outside. As I understand the ducting that goes to the back of one of these vents which are 600mm x 400m to comply with the 1m2 area required is large and I have nowhere to duct this to. The solution on the plans is to vent through the roof with a roof vent but this is impractical as it goes through an already small hallway and would need to be boxed in and fireboarded.

I'm wondering if I can use some sort of centrifugal fan which is smaller but sucks the air out quicker this achieving the goal of removing the smoke but needing a smaller hole/ducting.

www.smokecontrol.co.uk/downloads/scs_flats guide_new.pdf

See smoke extract wall fan
http://www.nicotra-gebhardt.com/front_content.php?idcat=89
http://www.coltinfo.co.uk/products/natural-and-mechanical-ventilation-products/

It seems ludicrous to have to do this for such a small area - are there any alternatives such as sprinklers or something that does not require such a massive amount of ducting?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks Saff

 

[BigRobCanUFixIt]

could u fit a velux above in the roof space with a motorised action interface to the smoke detection.

 

[sparkymarka]

we installed a window operator on some flats a few years ago that opened the window to vent out the smoke via a window control unit linked to the fire alarm will find out the make and model for you need it.

 

[Alarm]

You could use sash and casement openers for individual flats as mentioned, your main concern is going to be the fire escape (communal area) itself being vented.
This as you have found out is a different matter, as I assume it has no windows.

You might think it is a pain but lives are at stake.


You could possibly get dispensation with a fine mist sprinkler system, only way to find out is to ask the local authority HMO officer if this could be passed.
Otherwise with no natural ( window) venting you will have to put in the venting and fire claded ducting as you mentioned.

The mist system is highly specialist and would have to be designed and fitted by one of the major fire suppression companies.

The HMO officer is the best to seek names from his/her approved lists.

Yours is a unique issue, one that can be solved however the cost is going to be the deciding feature obviously.

 

[max2016]

Hi there I have searched all over and read building regs Part B Vol 1 and I need some help please. I am midway through a 3 story house into flats conversion and building regs require a smoke vent installed in the common lobby/stairwell area that is activated by smoke detectors as part of the alarm system. The problem is that this stairwell lobby has no external walls as it is at the back of the house and ajoins another terraced house so I can't just put a louvre on the wall and vent direct to the outside. As I understand the ducting that goes to the back of one of these vents which are 600mm x 400m to comply with the 1m2 area required is large and I have nowhere to duct this to. The solution on the plans is to vent through the roof with a roof vent but this is impractical as it goes through an already small hallway and would need to be boxed in and fireboarded.

I'm wondering if I can use some sort of centrifugal fan which is smaller but sucks the air out quicker this achieving the goal of removing the smoke but needing a smaller hole/ducting.

www.smokecontrol.co.uk/downloads/scs_flats guide_new.pdf

See smoke extract wall fan
http://www.nicotra-gebhardt.com/front_content.php?idcat=89
http://www.coltinfo.co.uk/products/natural-and-mechanical-ventilation-products/

It seems ludicrous to have to do this for such a small area - are there any alternatives such as sprinklers or something that does not require such a massive amount of ducting?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks Saff

Hi mate did you resolve this, and how. I have the same issue. Thanks