What is BS EN 12101-3 - Smoke and heat control systems about?
BS EN 12101-3 specifies the product’s characteristics of powered smoke and heat control ventilators (fans) intended to be used as part of a powered smoke and heat control ventilation system in construction works. BS EN 12101-3 provides test and assessment methods of the characteristics and the compliance criteria of the test assessment results.
BS EN 12101-3 applies to the following:
- Fans for smoke and heat control ventilation
- Impulse/jet fans for smoke and heat control ventilation
Who is BS EN 12101-3 - Smoke and heat control systems for?
BS EN 12101-3 on smoke and heat control systems is useful for:
Smoke and heat control ventilation systems are used in buildings or construction works where the particular (large) dimensions, shape or configuration make smoke control necessary.
Typical examples are:
- Single and multi-story shopping malls
- Single and multi-story industrial buildings and warehouses
- Atria and complex buildings
- Enclosed car parks
- Stairways
- Tunnels
- Theatres
Why should you use BS EN 12101-3 - Smoke and heat control systems?
Smoke and heat control ventilation systems create a smoke-free layer above the floor by removing smoke and thus improve the conditions for the safe escape and/or rescue of people and animals and the protection of property and permit the fire to be fought while still in its early stages. They also exhaust hot gases released by a fire in the developing stage. In specific cases, some fans are used to convey smoke (e.g. in tunnels or car parks). These fans, called jet fans or impulse fans are also within the scope of BS EN 12101-3. The use of smoke and heat control ventilation systems to create smoke-free areas beneath a buoyant smoke layer has become widespread. Their value in assisting in the evacuation of people from construction works, reducing fire damage and financial loss by preventing smoke logging, facilitating firefighting, reducing roof temperatures, and retarding the lateral spread of fire is firmly established. For these benefits to be obtained it is essential that smoke and heat control ventilators operate fully and reliably whenever called upon to do so during their installed life. A heat and smoke control ventilation system are a scheme of safety equipment intended to perform a positive role in a fire emergency. Components for smoke and heat control systems should be installed as part of a properly designed smoke and heat control system.
Smoke and heat control ventilation systems help to:
- Keep the escape and access routes free from smoke
- Facilitate firefighting operations by creating a smoke-free layer
- Delay and/or prevent flashover and thus full development of the fire
- Protect equipment and furnishings
- Reduce thermal effects on structural components during a fire
- Reduce damage caused by thermal decomposition products and hot gases
Depending on the design of the system and the ventilator, powered or natural smoke and heat ventilators can be used in a smoke and heat control system. Powered smoke and heat control ventilators (fans) can be installed in the roof or upper part of walls of a building or in a ducted system with the ventilator inside or outside the smoke reservoir or in a plant room.
Powered smoke and heat control ventilation systems should operate based on powered ventilators (fans). The performance of the powered smoke and heat control system depends on:
- The temperature of the smoke
- Size, number and location of the exhaust openings
- The wind influence
- Size, geometry and location of the inlet air openings
- The time of actuation
- The location and conditions of the system (for example arrangements and dimensions of the building)
