SMOKE CONTROL ASSOCIATION
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The Smoke Control Associations has a NEW website [Click here to view]
Documents relating to the Grenfell Tower Fire
Listing of Services provided by members and the Sector /Systems they operate in
Mission statement
The Smoke Control Association (SCA) aim is to promote and enhance the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of life safety smoke ventilation systems across all types of building.
Our members strive to lead the market and to ensure that all smoke ventilation systems and products are designed and installed in accordance with all relevant regulations and standards, for the benefit of building owners, building occupants and the wider community.
Additional membership criteria for the Smoke Control Association
As well as the criteria for joining the HEVAC Association, in April 2018 the Smoke Control Association introduced additional criteria that each new member and each existing member is required to sign up to.
The new membership criteria document can now be downloaded from the Membership page
Current Members of the Smoke Control Association
To view a list of current Members – click here
IFCC SDI 19 Certification scheme - requirements for contractors installing smoke control systems – NEW July 18
In July 2018 IFC Certification Ltd launched the IFC Certification SDI 19 scheme for installers of smoke control systems.
The scheme document, available from IFC Certification Ltd., provides the specific requirements of the IFC Certification SDI 19 scheme for installers of smoke control systems. IFC Certification has produced this scheme to ensure a suitable and acceptable level of competency with regard to fire strategy verification, system design and the installation of smoke control systems.
The term installation is deemed to include the fire strategy verification, system design, installation and commissioning of smoke control systems.
The scheme document also covers the Contractor’s ability to offer and provide an appropriate level of service and maintenance to the client (or end user) after installation and commissioning, commensurate with the type, size and use of the building.
The scheme is open to all bona fide Contractors involved in the installation of smoke control systems to apply for certification.
The work on the changes to the installer web database (to enable specific smoke control information to be logged by certificated companies) will be completed later in July/Aug 2018. In the meantime, IFC will be progressing applications and undertaking company audits.
Further information, scheme document and application form is available from [email protected]
A News Release on the launch of the certification scheme is on the FETA News Board
The importance of a well-designed smoke control system
If there is a fire, a well-designed smoke control system can save lives and help protect property. It will:
- Keep escape and access routes free from smoke.
- Facilitate fire-fighting operations.
- Delay or prevent flashover, reducing the risk of the fire developing further.
- Protect the contents of the building.
- Reduce the risk of damage to the building.
Some different types of smoke control systems
Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilation Systems (SHEVS). Whether these are natural or powered, they remove smoke from the building. Inlet ventilators, dampers and ductwork are also often integrated into the scheme.
Smoke Containment Systems. These prevent the movement of smoke and heat from one area to another. They take the form either of physical barriers such as smoke curtains or fire curtains, or as pressure differential systems, also known as pressurisation systems.
Car Park Ventilation Systems. Induction (or jet) fans clear smoke from enclosed or underground car parks. These are often combined with fume ventilation to prevent the build-up of vehicle exhaust gases in normal day to day use of the car park. Louvres, dampers, and powered smoke extraction fans are also often integrated into the scheme.
The chairman of the Smoke Control Association says: “Smoke is the greatest threat in a fire. A fire can fill an area of 10,000m2 with smoke within minutes. 5 breaths are all it could take to lose consciousness. Effective smoke control saves lives”.
Membership of the Smoke Control Association (SCA)
Membership is open to any company or organization involved in the manufacture and supply of smoke control equipment and systems.
A list of member companies can be found by clicking the Members List
Members are also listed in the broader Directory of HEVAC companies.
The aim of the Association
To represent and promote the UK smoke control industry. The membership can be relied upon to provide impartial guidance. Click here for a brief description of the SCA and the work it does.
Smoke Control Association and BAFSA issue joint statement
The Grenfell fire tragedy and subsequently the Dame Judith Hackitt report have focused attention and scrutiny on fire safety systems. In particular, issues have been raised around the culture of the construction industry and the need for a more rigorous regime to ensure correct certification of fire safety products and the professional competence of the contractors who install them.
Dame Judith’s report included a key recommendation for the fire safety sector to demonstrate leadership by developing a proactive and accountable approach to the specifying, installation and maintenance of fire safety products.
Current Documents
SCA Guidance Note for the use of Inverters or Variable Speed Drives in powered smoke ventilation systems - 29 Sep 2016
This one-page guidance note is intended to help designers, specifiers, approval and regulatory bodies satisfy themselves that the control systems and strategies proposed and installed are appropriate for the specific application. Download here
The guidance refers to the GAMBICA Guide - Fire Mode in Variable Speed Drives
GAMBICA Guide - Fire Mode in Variable Speed Drives
This Guide is to provide a reference for Variable Speed Drive (VSD) manufacturers and users to establish criteria by which Fire Mode in VSD should be defined. This is to enable a common understanding of what Fire Mode is and clear communication of how any specific product operates.
Guidance on Smoke Control to Common Escape Routes in Apartment Buildings (Flats and Maisonettes)
- Revision 3 published January 2020. Click here to get to Revision 3.
CFD Modelling for Car Park Ventilation Systems – a guide for designers and regulators - Feb 2007
This document sets out the information and parameters that the designer should incorporate into the design of the CFD model. It is intended that this document should be of use to the designer in producing and running the CFD model and in writing the CFD report. It also provides recommendations on the information to be provided to the approving authority within the designer’s package of supporting information when submitting the CFD analysis for information and/or approval of design intent. The Smoke Control Association is primarily concerned with ventilation design for the removal of smoke and heat as discussed in the British Standard, but, recognising the dual use of systems, this document provides guidance on usage for both smoke and heat removal and vehicle emission ventilation. This document is intended to support the recommendations of BS 7346-7.
(Download)
Design of Smoke Ventilation Systems for Loading Bays & Coach Parks – a guide for system designers - Nov 2010. This document sets out to give guidance to the design of ventilation systems for loading bays, service yards and coach parks and lists the options available to the design engineer. This document should also be of assistance to the regulating authorities in assessing the suitability of systems submitted for their approval.
(Download)
Guidance for the design of smoke ventilation systems for single storey industrial buildings, including those with mezzanine floors, and high racked storage warehouses - Issue 3 - 1994
The use of smoke and heat exhaust ventilators has been widespread and their value in assisting in the evacuation of people from buildings, reducing fire damage and financial loss by preventing smoke logging, facilitating fire fighting, reducing roof temperatures and retarding the lateral spread of fire is firmly established. Therefore, it is essential that the purpose of the scheme is identified.
The members of the Smoke Ventilation Association have had many years of interpreting and applying the various design principles included in the many publications dealing with smoke control. Based on this experience, the Guide sets out their recommendations for design considerations. Actual methods of calculation are set out in various Fire Research Station (FRS) papers, which are referred to in the text and listed in Appendix 2.
No scheme will work satisfactorily unless it is correctly installed and maintained.
(Download)
DIRECTORY OF STANDARDS
The directory of standards lists the various associations within FETA and the standards that are appropriate to those parts of the membership. Also included are the various BSI committees that have responsibility for each standard. The directory was compiled by Ian Andrews Associates, specialist in directives, regulations, standards and legislation for the appliance and ventilation industries. Available as a free download to FETA members.
Links to BSI on-line; BSI Shop; CEN standards search and ISO-store
Link to HEVAC Fire and Smoke Damper Committee
Advice
If you have a question please email [email protected] and we will look to provide an answer to your query.
Last updated 30 August 2018
