Smoke kills far more people than flames. We examine the design, installation, and ongoing maintenance requirements for smoke control systems in UK buildings.. Why Smoke Control Matters Smoke is responsible for the majority of fire deaths in the UK. Smoke control systems are designed to: Maintain tenable conditions on escape routes Assist firefighting operations by improving visibility Protect the structural elements from excessive heat Limit smoke damage to building contents and fabric Types of Smoke Control Natural Smoke Ventilation Automatic Opening Vents (AOVs) in corridors and stairwells Relies on buoyancy (hot smoke rises) and wind pressure Lower installation cost but performance affected by weather Common in residential stairwells and corridor ventilation Mechanical Smoke Ventilation Powered fans extracting smoke from fire floor Powered shaft pressurisation to protect stairs More predictable performance regardless of conditions Required for complex buildings, basements, car parks Pressurisation Systems Maintain positive pressure in protected stairwells Prevent smoke entering the escape route Designed to BS EN 12101 6 Require careful commissioning and ongoing maintenance Design Standards BS EN 12101 Series The European standard series covering: Part 1: Specification for smoke barriers Part 2: Natural smoke and heat exhaust ventilators Part 3: Powered smoke and heat exhaust ventilators Part 6: Pressure differential systems Part 10: Energy supply BS 7346 Series UK specific guidance: Part 4: Functional recommendations for smoke control in car parks Part 7: Commissioning and ongoing maintenance Part 8: CFD for smoke control design SCA Guidance The Smoke Control Association publishes detailed guidance on: Design methodology System commissioning Maintenance requirements Competency standards Commissioning Requirements Smoke control systems must be commissioned to demonstrate: Correct activation on fire signal Adequate airflow rates (mechanical systems) Correct vent opening areas (natural systems) Correct pressure differentials (pressurisation systems) Integration with fire alarm and BMS Correct fail safe operation on power failure Maintenance Obligations Legal Requirement Article 17 of the RRO requires the Responsible Person to maintain fire safety systems in good working order. For smoke control, this means: Weekly Testing Cause and effect testing of system activation Visual inspection of AOVs and dampers Check control panel indicators Monthly Full functional test of all components Check fan operation and vibration levels Inspect ductwork and dampers Verify BMS integration Six Monthly Comprehensive system test by specialist contractor Airflow measurements (mechanical systems) Vent opening area verification (natural systems) Battery and UPS testing Full report with recommendations Annual Complete system survey and performance test Comparison with design parameters Component replacement programme review Compliance assessment against current standards Common Failures 1. AOVs stuck closed — actuator failure, debris, paint 2. Fan belts worn — reduced airflow performance 3. Dampers seized — lack of exercise and maintenance 4. BMS override — system disabled by facilities management 5. Ductwork leakage — reduces effective extraction rate 6. Control panel faults — unresolved alarms, flat batteries For smoke control design and maintenance, contact Magnus Opifex.