Introduction
In the critical field of fire safety, protecting escape routes from smoke infiltration during an emergency is essential for ensuring the safe evacuation of building occupants. Apex Engineering, a leader in providing certified turnkey solutions in South Africa, offers advanced staircase pressurisation systems that adhere to the stringent requirements of SANS10400 Part T and EN 12101. Our collaboration with Sodeca, a globally recognised manufacturer of ventilation and smoke control systems, enables us to deliver state-of-the-art solutions that are both reliable and compliant.
The Importance of Staircase Pressurisation Systems
Smoke inhalation is the leading cause of death in fire emergencies. Effective staircase pressurisation systems are crucial in preventing smoke from entering escape routes, such as stairwells, by maintaining a higher air pressure in these areas compared to surrounding spaces. This overpressure ensures that smoke is kept out, providing a clear path for evacuation and enabling fire services to perform their duties safely.
Our Partner Sodeca: A Trusted Name in Ventilation and Smoke Control
Apex Engineering partners with Sodeca to bring cutting-edge pressurisation systems to South Africa. Sodeca’s equipment is designed and manufactured to meet the highest standards of fire safety, including the European EN 12101-6 certification, which is essential for EN 12101 smoke extraction systems. This certification ensures that the systems are capable of maintaining the necessary pressure differentials and airflows to prevent smoke from entering protected escape routes.
Understanding the Classes of Pressurisation Systems
Staircase pressurisation systems are versatile and can be tailored to different types of buildings and evacuation strategies. The systems are classified based on their application and the specific needs of the building:
- Class A Systems: Designed for buildings where the main objective is to protect staircases used by building occupants during evacuation. These systems maintain a constant differential pressure of 50 Pa to ensure that stairwells remain smoke-free.
- Class B Systems: These systems are intended for use in buildings where there is a high risk of smoke contamination during firefighting operations. They are capable of maintaining overpressure in staircases even when multiple doors are opened during the evacuation or firefighting process.
- Class C and D Systems: Suitable for buildings with phased or simultaneous evacuation procedures. These systems take into account the prolonged presence of occupants in the building and the potential for multiple doors to be open at the same time, ensuring that the escape routes remain smoke-free throughout the evacuation process.
- Class E and F Systems: Specifically designed for buildings where fire evacuation might be delayed or staggered, such as in high-rise buildings. These systems ensure that both staircases and lift shafts remain free of smoke, even when exposed to extreme conditions.
Features and Benefits of Staircase Pressurisation Systems
Staircase pressurisation systems, such as the BOXPDS and BOXPDS SMART series, offer a range of features designed to ensure optimal performance and reliability:
- Automatic Pressure and Flow Regulation: Systems are equipped with advanced controls that automatically adjust to maintain the necessary 50 Pa differential pressure. This ensures consistent protection against smoke infiltration, regardless of changes in the building’s internal conditions.
- Real-Time Monitoring and Control: The BOXPDS SMART system features a touch screen control panel that allows for real-time monitoring of system performance. This includes the ability to configure and calibrate the system according to the specific needs of the building.
- Rapid Response to Emergencies: The systems are designed to react within seconds to changes in door positions, ensuring that overpressure is maintained and that escape routes remain clear of smoke.
- Modular and Scalable Design: Systems can be adapted to different building types and sizes, from small offices to large residential or industrial complexes. This flexibility makes them ideal for a wide range of applications.
- Certified to EN 12101-6: Staircase pressurisation systems meet the rigorous EN 12101-6 standards, which cover the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of pressure differential systems for smoke control in escape routes. This certification ensures that the systems are reliable and perform effectively in real-world fire situations.
Pressurisation of Lobbies
When designing pressurisation systems for buildings, special attention must be given to the pressurisation of lobbies, especially in cases where there are few air outlets or where the building has only a few floors. Sodeca recommends that all lobbies be pressurised simultaneously, as long as compartmentalisation is respected. It is also recommended that the pressurisation of lobbies be carried out using a separate pressurisation kit from that used for the staircases.
PDS LOBBY CONTROL system is particularly effective for lobby pressurisation, allowing precise control over the pressure levels in each lobby. This system is capable of controlling the opening of smoke control dampers, ensuring that clean air is supplied to the lobby of the floor affected by fire while allowing smoke to exhaust from the same floor.
Compliance with EN 12101-6
The EN 12101-6 certification is a key requirement for any effective smoke control system, ensuring that it performs as needed during a fire emergency. Sodeca’s equipment not only meets but exceeds these requirements, providing fire engineering professionals with the confidence that their systems will protect lives and property in the event of a fire.
Why Choose Apex Engineering?
– Expert Knowledge: With deep expertise in fire safety systems, Apex Engineering is well-equipped to design and implement solutions that meet both local and international standards.
– High-Quality Products: By partnering with Sodeca, we ensure that our clients receive the best possible equipment, backed by rigorous testing and certification.
– Comprehensive Service Offering: From initial consultation and design to installation and maintenance, we offer a full suite of services to support your fire safety needs.
– Dedicated Support: Our team is committed to working closely with fire engineers to deliver tailored solutions that meet the unique requirements of each project.
Conclusion
Ensuring that buildings are equipped with the best possible fire safety systems is a critical responsibility for all professionals in the fire engineering sector. By choosing Apex Engineering and our certified Sodeca pressurisation systems, you can be confident that your projects will not only comply with SANS10400 Part T and EN 12101 standards but will also provide the highest level of protection for building occupants.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your fire safety goals.
