MECHANICAL SMOKE EXTRACTION - FOR ESCAPE AND RESCUE

Smoke control systems create and maintain a smoke-free layer above the floor, or help to reduce smoke and heat build-up, by removing smoke and hot gases released by a fire in the development stage. In doing this, smoke control systems help to:

• keep escape and access routes free from smoke;
• facilitate firefighting operations;
• 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; and
• reduce damage caused by thermal decomposition products and hot gases.

In order for a stable separation to form between the smoke layer and the low-smoke layer through the interaction of supply and exhaust air, the following boundary conditions in particular must be met:

• At the interface between the smoke layer and the low-smoke layer, flow velocities should be low in both the vertical and horizontal directions.
• Supply air openings must be sufficiently sized and optimally distributed with regard to flow characteristics. They must open automatically before the smoke extraction fans are switched on.
• The supply air inflow into the smoke compartment must take place well below the smoke layer and, as far as possible, with minimal turbulence and at a low flow velocity (< 3 m/s).
• The smoke extraction vents should be evenly distributed and, as far as possible, located at the highest point of the smoke compartment.
• The areas of the smoke compartment must be limited depending on the required low-smoke layer, the thermal capacity of the building envelope components and the fire load to be taken into account.
• The condition of the fans must be checked regularly. The integrated X-FANS VD-R diagnostic system helps to detect any damage at an early stage, thereby enabling condition-based maintenance.
• Smoke control and differential pressure systems: Smoke control systems are designed to keep escape and rescue routes, particularly stairwells, free of smoke. The supply air flow must be directed from the areas to be protected towards the fire area.

Did you know that the real danger in a fire does not come from the heat or flames? In fact, the majority of people die from toxic smoke inhalation, which not only poses a threat to human life; it also hinders firefighting and rescue operations, and in some cases can even make them impossible.

TROX X-FANS recognised this problem as early as 1971 - and developed the first fan capable of quickly and efficiently extracting dangerous smoke gases from a building in the event of a fire. The smoke extraction fan was born and has been continuously developed and modernised ever since.

Smoke extraction fans from TROX X-FANS are available for the temperature ranges F200, F300, F400, and F600. All smoke extraction fans are certified and safe. They have been tested by the Technical University of Munich and the MPA Braunschweig according to EN 12101-3, and are CE-certified.

Due to increasingly complex systems, smoke extraction fans may now also be operated via frequency converters in the event of smoke extraction. To this end, the TROX X-FANS smoke extraction fans range has been certified with a specially designed frequency converter in accordance with BS EN 12101-3.