Key Considerations When Specifying Natural Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilators (NSHEVs)

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Key Learning outcomes

How smoke behaves in a building fire
The role of NSHEVs in protecting building occupants
Compliance requirements for NSHEVs
Design options to consider when specifying NSHEVs
Specifying the correct ladder for NSHEVs
Safety and sustainability considerations

Natural Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilators (NSHEVs), more commonly known as smoke vents, are installed in the roof to provide essential ventilation in the event of a building fire.
They open by sensors, or remote control, to exhaust smoke and noxious fumes.
The primary function of a NSHEV is to make a dangerous situation safer, with its installation suitable across a diverse range of building typologies and industries, from healthcare and education, to industrial and commercial.

NSHEVs can also provide a means of access for maintenance professionals who may be conducting essential works on the roof.

1.0 Smoke kills, not fire

It is a common misconception that the biggest threat to life in a building fire is from the flames. However, it is the silent black smoke that is the greatest threat to life.

As a fire develops inside a building, it burns the oxygen in the air, removing most of the available oxygen as part of ‘incomplete combustion’, which in turn produces toxic and potentially deadly carbon monoxide.

When a fire ignites in an enclosed space, the smoke rising from the fire gets trapped by the ceiling. It then begins to spread, forming an expanding layer that leaks into any gaps in the floors or walls. This can lead to individuals becoming disorientated, with their vision becoming increasingly clouded, hindering safe evacuation. A fire spread by convection is the most dangerous, causing the largest number of injuries and deaths.

The installation of smoke vents in appropriate locations around a building will protect occupants in the event of a fire by preventing the excessive build-up of smoke and noxious fumes. This subsequently reduces the risk of smoke inhalation, horizontal fire spread and secondary ignitions as the smoke is quickly exhausted, enabling firefighters to safely enter the building to tackle the blaze and building occupants to exit quickly.

Linear actuators open the smoke vent covers to the fire open position of 140 degrees within 60 seconds

Provider company overview

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About

Bilco UK

Pavilion 7, Fornham Business Court
Hall Farm
Fornham St. Martin
Bury St Edmunds
IP31 1SL

Yvonne Myers
Tel +44 (0)1284 701696
cpd@access-360.co.uk

The information contained in the CPD article web pages is not intended and accordingly shall not be relied upon either as a substitute for professional advice or judgement or to provide legal or other advice with respect to any particular circumstance. RIBA Enterprises accepts no responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the information contained.

Key Considerations When Specifying Natural Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilators (NSHEVs)

1.0 Smoke kills, not fire

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