Fire regulations

Smoke Ventilation

VITRAL is at the forefront of providing solutions for ‘Full Life Safety Smoke Evacuation’ our SHEVs are now fully compliant with EN 12101-2 which has superseded the now obsolete BS7346; a feat as yet unachievable by many of our competitors. If you have a project that requires smoke venting for Full Life Safety Smoke Evacuation, we strongly recommend you consult with us at the earliest possible stage to ensure your building will comply with the latest regulations. Please contact our technical office or call us 01223 499 000

What is a SHEV - Smoke Heat & Exhaust Ventilator?

Within EN12101-2 the process of smoke evacuation is referred to as SHEV’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is EN 12101-2?

  • EN12101-2:2003 is the European standard for smoke and heat control systems.

In September 2006, after a 3 year harmonisation period, BS EN12101-2:2003 replaced BS7346:1991 as the UK’s product standard for Natural Smoke Ventilators – ALL PREVIOUS STANDARDS AND TESTS AND PRODUCT ASSOCIATIONS ARE MEANINGLESS.In the context of a glazed façade or glazed rooflight this means that any natural smoke vent needs to be approved to BS EN12101-2:2003. It is no longer acceptable is to take a window or roof vent, add an actuator to it and call it a smoke vent.

Natural Ventilation

Natural Ventilation takes advantage of a natural resource to aid in the cooling and ventilation of a building. By incorporating it into the design of the roof glazing there are considerable advantages:

  • More cost effective that implementing a dedicated natural vent system
  • Provides excellent air tightness when not required
  • No visual impact on the building's design
  • Can be included into the building's Smoke Evacuation Strategy to further reduce the project's budget

Vitral's roof glazing system have always outperformed other systems but by incorporating the Natural Ventilation into the roof glazing the project not only maintains its performance and its aesthetic apeal but will be cheaper to build. The majority of the projects that use Vitral include Natural Ventilation, the use of all the available resouces through roof glazing significantly reduce a building's energy consumption:

  • Natural Daylight
  • Natural Ventilation
  • Solar Gain

Solar Gain assists Natural Ventilation by making it more efficient in cooling a building. It draws air through a building, making it a more comfortable environment and so a lower consumer of energy. Vitral works with Architects to view the building as a whole, rather than just as a means of brightening up one particular area. This principle was clearly demonstrated with Bedales School.