Refurbishment

and retrofit
 An Introduction to 47
Smoke Control

When a building is upgraded, or its use

defined in a new way, it is essential to
reassess the fire risk and update the fire
management plan. This is typically the
responsibility of the building owner or facilities
manager; however, it can also fall under the
designer’s or contractor’s remit. This may
include installing or commissioning a new
smoke control system, ensuring regulatory
compliance and occupant safety, irrespective
of building age.

Refurbishment applications

Refurbishing an existing smoke control system

may be necessary to ensure it remains
fit for purpose throughout a building’s
lifetime, reacting to any changes in use or
developments in smoke control regulation.
This is particularly relevant to buildings built
to allow for multiple functions, such as
multi-unit commercial schemes or shell-only
building developments. Having a regular,
proactive maintenance schedule in place
can help to streamline this process, and even
reduce upfront costs, as different elements
can be upgraded periodically when necessary.

Additionally, when a roof is refurbished to

achieve higher levels of thermal performance,
it is possible to install natural smoke exhaust
ventilators that offer improved U-values,
helping to create a more energy efficient and
sustainable property.
48 An Introduction to
Smoke Control

Retrofit applications

On buildings where no smoke management

solution has been installed, such as heritage
properties, it will be necessary to design-
in a new solution from scratch. Retrofit
applications are complex, with system
designers having to navigate the existing
building geometry and technical limitations,
balancing them with modern legislation
and building standards. Therefore, it is vital
that retrofit smoke control designs are only
undertaken by qualified and experienced fire
engineers to ensure that the best solution is
selected, and it achieves compliance with the
necessary regulations.
Service and
maintenance
50 An Introduction to
Smoke Control

Handover

Whatever solution is implemented, the

building must be handed over to the building
owner and facilities manager with clear and
comprehensive documentation, including:

- Technical details about the system components

- Details on where they are located
- Installation and commissioning certificates
- Instructions on how to operate the system for both
the end user and the fire service
- A clear outline of the maintenance requirements
and their responsibility to uphold them

Maintenance

Whether natural or mechanical, smoke

control systems comprise several different
components. The system’s performance
is not only reliant on the interactions
between each of these elements, but also
its interaction with other parts of the fire
management plan, such as alarm systems
or sprinklers. Failure of a single element
can impact the effectiveness of the whole
system, potentially resulting in a complete
breakdown.

A proactive and frequent checking and

testing schedule is therefore vital. It is
recommended that this is done monthly,
typically by site personnel, with a thorough
service at least once a year to ensure it
performs as anticipated as part of the fire
safety strategy.
 An Introduction to 51
Smoke Control

Smoke control It is the responsibility of the building owner or

systems should be operator to ensure a suitable schedule is put
tested yearly by a in place, and that the main, yearly service is
done by a skilled and competent person. As
compentent person
detailed in the regulation and compliance
and a service and section, these checks are a legal requirement
maintenance in many regions. However, beyond the legal
contract should be repercussions, building owners have a duty
put in place as soon of care to the people who use their building.
as a system Neglecting to maintain a system can lead
is installed. to under performance which, if a fire breaks
out, could have devastating consequences.

Operating a proactive maintenance plan also

carries additional benefits. Regular servicing
can extend the lifespan of the components,
minimising the risk of system failure and
the need for and cost of replacements.
It offers the opportunity to upgrade the
system in light of any advancements in the
technologies used and helps to ensure that
the system is always compliant with any
legislative developments.

The specifics of how you maintain a system

is dependent on a number of factors, from
what type of system it is, to how frequently
it is used. However, there are some basic
actions building owners or operators can
take to ensure their smoke control system will
always perform as expected:

1. A service and maintenance contract

should be taken out as soon as a system
is installed. Competent maintenance
providers will always look at the system
holistically, checking every component,
from the control panel to the ventilators,
in the context of its role within the wider
system and its dependency on other
52 An Introduction to
Smoke Control

elements. They will also thoroughly test

the system for assurance, including
checking that any back up power systems
are active.

2. Smoke system checks should also form

part of the building maintenance plan,
including checking the status of any
monitoring systems for fault alerts and
visually assessing components for any
obvious damage. Any issues should be
immediately reported to the overall
maintenance service provider.
How can
Kingspan Light +
Air support your
project?
54 An Introduction to
Smoke Control

Drawing on knowledge and experience from

across the globe, Kingspan Light + Air offers full
project support—from initial fire engineering
consultancy at the design stage, to supplying
and commissioning products and bespoke
solutions, through to providing ongoing
service and maintenance throughout the
system’s lifetime—helping to ensure continuing
compliance and reassurance that the system
will perform as expected in the event of a fire.

01 02
Design Specification

Our experienced and Through constant innovation

qualified fire engineers use and testing, we offer some
the latest software and of the highest quality
design methods to design natural and mechanical
a suitable smoke control smoke control solutions on
system which is tailored to the market. With a complete
the project requirements portfolio of products, we
and complies with local can provide impartial advice
regulations. on which will be better
suited to a specific project.

03 04 05
Installation Commission Maintenance

Our network of installers Once the project is Our expert engineering

have the skills and completed, our experienced teams can complete regular,
qualifications to ensure and trusted commissioners mandatory checks to ensure
each system is fitted can check the system has continuing performance
correctly and to the been installed to the correct and compliance, in addition
highest standards, standards and efficiently to providing advice on
ensuring it will perform interfaces with the whole refurbishment opportunities.
as expected. fire management system.
UK
Kingspan Light + Air Limited
Mellyn Mair Business Centre
Lamby Industrial Park
Wentloog Avenue, Cardiff, CF3 2EX
T +44 (0) 1352 716100
F: +44 (0) 1352 710161
E: [email protected]

Ireland
Kingspan Light + Air Limited
Carrickmacross Road
Kingscourt, Co. Cavan
T: +353 (0) 42 969 8500
F: +353 (0) 42 969 8572
E: [email protected]
www.kingspanlightandair.com

Disclaimer: This guide is intended to give an overview of

smoke control methods and systems. It is not a definitive
guide or a replacement for technical advice, and professional
fire-engineering support should always be sought before
undertaking any smoke management work. Whilst every effort
has been made to ensure accuracy, Kingspan Light + Air is not
responsible for any errors in third party links.

012/2020