A fire isn’t something that anybody ever wants to have to deal with, but it is a very real risk that can happen in any building of any type.
When it comes to residential properties, it is the responsibility of the landlord, owner or management company to ensure that the correct fire detection, protection and suppression systems are in place to help make the building safer.
Smoke control is an essential part of fire safety and home ventilation systems work to release smoke and fumes from the building to make it easier for those inside to safely evacuate.
What is a smoke ventilation system?
Smoke control systems, AOVs (Automatic Opening Vent) and smoke ventilation systems are designed and installed to effectively extract smoke from a building in the event of a fire.
In doing so, they help to protect occupants, the property and its contents whilst also making it clearer and safer for firefighters.
The dangers of smoke
When people think of the damage and harm caused by a fire, they tend to think of the flames and heat involved, but it is actually smoke inhalation that causes most fire related deaths.
Even a small fire can cause a building to rapidly fill with smoke and if it does then it can lead to a number of issues such as;
- Disorientation for the occupants
- Prevents those inside from being able to see and use the escape routes
- Makes fast and safe evacuation very difficult or even impossible
- Leads to smoke inhalation where occupants are overcome and incapacitated
- Makes it more difficult for firefighters to find the source of the fire and put it out
- Less visibility means that it takes longer to find and rescue those inside
- In a building with synthetic or dangerous materials, fire can cause smoke to combine with toxic gases that can be breathed in
Does your building require a smoke ventilation system?
In residential buildings of multiple households such as flats, apartments or HMOs, it is a legal requirement that escape routes are kept clear and free from smoke.
There is a range of guidance, regulations and legislation around smoke ventilation that need to be followed with the main ones being Approved Document B Volume 1 and 2. These legislative documents govern Fire Safety for all residential and commercial buildings and under UK law must be followed.
Failure to comply with the necessary laws and legislation can lead to serious consequences for those responsible and result in large fines, penalties and even prosecution with a possible prison sentence if found guilty.
What can you do?
If you own, manage or are responsible for a residential property with tenants such as an apartment block, flats or HMOs then you need to take every reasonable precaution to protect your occupants and the building.
If you are unsure what your property requires then seek professional advice from a reputable company who will be able to assess your building and give advice on whether smoke ventilation is required and how best to proceed.
Disclosure: this is a collaborative post