Smoke control systems save lives by maintaining tenable conditions during evacuation. This technical guide covers the full lifecycle from design to ongoing maintenance obligations.. The Life Safety Role of Smoke Control Smoke kills more people in fires than heat or flames. Smoke control systems are fundamental life safety installations that: Maintain visibility for occupant evacuation Reduce toxic gas concentrations in escape routes Prevent smoke logging of stairways and corridors Assist fire service operations with improved visibility Protect property by limiting smoke damage Design Standards BS 7346 Series BS 7346 1 : Components for smoke and heat control systems (natural ventilators) BS 7346 4 : Functional requirements and calculation methods (smoke and heat exhaust) BS 7346 5 : Powered smoke and heat exhaust ventilators BS 7346 6 : Pressure differential systems (stairway pressurisation) BS 7346 8 : Smoke curtains and barriers BS EN 12101 Series European standards for smoke and heat control systems: Part 1: Smoke barriers Part 2: Natural smoke exhaust ventilators Part 3: Powered smoke exhaust ventilators Part 6: Pressure differential systems Part 10: Power supply System Types Natural Smoke Ventilation Roof mounted or wall mounted smoke ventilators Relies on buoyancy of hot smoke gases Requires adequate inlet air (make up air) at low level Suitable for atria, single storey buildings, stairway heads Automatic opening on fire alarm or fusible link activation Mechanical Smoke Extract Powered fans extracting smoke from fire zone Ductwork rated to withstand high temperatures (300°C for 1 hour minimum) Variable speed or multi speed fans for different scenarios Suitable for basements, car parks, complex buildings Requires reliable power supply (secondary supply essential) Pressure Differential Systems Maintain higher pressure in protected escape routes Stairway pressurisation (Class A, B, C, D, or E per BS EN 12101 6) Lobby pressurisation for firefighting shafts Corridor pressurisation in healthcare and residential buildings Requires careful balancing to avoid excessive door opening forces (max 100N) Commissioning Pre Commissioning Checks 1. All components installed per design specification 2. Power supplies connected and tested (primary and secondary) 3. Control panel installed and configured 4. Integration with fire alarm system verified 5. Ductwork integrity tested (leakage class per specification) Functional Tests 1. Individual component test — each ventilator/fan operates on demand 2. Cause and effect test — correct response to each fire alarm zone 3. Airflow measurement — smoke extract rates match design 4. Pressure measurement — pressure differentials meet BS EN 12101 6 5. Door opening force — maximum 100N for single leaf doors 6. Integration test — full system operation with fire alarm activation 7. Fail safe test — system response to power failure Ongoing Maintenance Weekly Visual inspection of ventilators and fans Control panel status check Battery backup status verification Monthly Functional operation of each ventilator (open/close cycle) Fan run test (minimum 30 minutes) Control panel lamp and function test Smoke curtain deployment test Annually Full cause and effect test against design specification Airflow/pressure measurements and comparison with commissioning data Electrical safety testing of all components Structural integrity of ventilator mechanisms and mountings Full maintenance report with recommendations Building Safety Act Requirements For higher risk buildings, smoke control maintenance records form part of the golden thread of information. Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD — UK's Leading Fire Safety & Fire Engineering Consultancy 🌐 magnus opifex.co.uk 📞 +44 (0) 20 3488 1926 ✉️ info@magnusopifex.co.uk Founded by Daniel Sheridan, Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD delivers award winning fire engineering, fire risk assessments, and building safety consultancy across the United Kingdom and internationally.