LATEST ADVICE ON SMOKE EXTRACT FAN MAINTENANCE

From the Smoke Control and Fan Manufacturer Associations

Make sure your life safety smoke and heat control systems remain compliant. Here's the latest guide from the SCA and FMA.

The Smoke Control Association and Fan Manufacturers Association created a committee to discuss and update the Guide to Fan Maintenance for Smoke Extract which details the best practice to ensure the equipment is fit for purpose in its lifespan.

We were proudly involved in this guide update with Andy Cardy, one of our Product Managers, being on the committee. Below is an extract from the Guide on its purpose, as well as the link to view and download the complete guide.

Guide Purpose

"Emergency use fans for heat and smoke control systems are specifically designed and manufactured for safety critical applications. Harmonized standards of these regulations define a list of critical components. Repair and replacement of the defined critical components shall only be carried out by the manufacturer’s authorized representative. For fans certified by a notified body, the substitution of a critical component by an alternative version of this component, must be approved by the notified body.
A BSI working committee (FSH25), with its members drawn from manufacturers, installers, test establishments and motor manufacturers, was formed to examine the key issues associated with smoke extract fans.

The key objective of this guide is to raise awareness of the need to ensure that any powered smoke extract fans which are selected, manufactured and installed in accordance with EN 12101-3:2015, must then be correctly maintained to ensure that they continue to offer building occupants the highest degree of smoke protection and reassurance possible.

The front cover of an SCA/FMA Best practices guide on fan maintenance

Although new equipment must be manufactured to comply with the latest standards, existing plant, which has been installed for many years, may not comply with the 2015 version of EN 12101-3 (which was introduced and enforced in 2017).
As amendments to the electrical and mechanical requirements have occurred and as the key fan component, the electric motor, will naturally deteriorate over time, then this guide is designed to provide advice on how best to maintain the equipment to the highest possible standard (by adhering to manufacturers maintenance procedures).

In addition, this guide also provides guidance on deciding if the main smoke extract or pressurisation fans should be replaced with new equipment which has been designed, tested, certified and manufactured to the very latest standard. This will offer building owners or operators a reduced level of risk and liability, whilst also, and more importantly, providing the highest level of smoke protection for building occupants."

You can read the Guide in full here. If you need support in maintaining your life-critical systems, our Service Teams offer a range of packages to keep them in good working order. Get in touch to find out more.

2024-06-12