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Smoke ventilation makes a safe evacuation possible and helps the fire brigade do its job
In a fire, smoke threatens human life more than the flames do. Smoke ventilation keeps damage to property to a minimum, makes the fire brigade’s job easier and gives people enough time to leave the building safely.
We design, supply and install complete systems, including detectors, electrically operated smoke vent windows, rooflights and control units.
The main kinds of smoke ventilation
Smoke ventilation divides into smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems (SHEVS),
the ventilation of protected escape routes (CHÚC) and of lift shafts.
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DH Museum artrium EN WEB SZE CDP RWA SHEV Lueftung natural ventilation Smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems
Fire compartments are divided into smoke zones, which are cleared by a smoke and heat exhaust ventilation system (SHEVS).
The basis is roof and façade windows and rooflights opened by electric drives. They are operated by a control unit with its own backup power supply, which runs the whole system on a signal from the fire alarm system, from the smoke and heat detectors or from a safety button.
Both natural and powered smoke ventilation are used here, or a combination of the two. -
DH Treppenhaus stairwell DE WEB SZE KA RZN T RWA SHEV Lueftung natural ventilation Ventilation of protected escape routes
Well-ventilated protected escape routes are the basis of a safe evacuation. They use the same elements as a SHEVS, but stricter legislative standards apply. With protected escape routes (CHÚC) in particular, great emphasis is placed on fast smoke ventilation.
Smoke ventilation of protected escape routes relies mainly on electric drives to operate windows, rooflights and doors. Then there are safety buttons to trigger the fire alarm, smoke and heat detectors and a control unit, the brain of the whole system.
Natural and powered ventilation are used here, and also pressure differential ventilation. -
DH Aufzugsschacht lift shaft WEB SZE LSC RWA SHEV Lueftung natural ventilation Ventilation of lift shafts
Separate ventilation of lift shafts is used in larger buildings. It uses electrically operated louvres, windows and rooflights. These systems remove smoke, but they also prevent heat loss, so they cut energy costs.
3 principles of smoke ventilation
They limit the amount of combustion products and smoke so
that their concentration in the air does not exceed 1–2 %.
Natural smoke ventilation
- It is based on the so-called stack effect.
- The air flow is driven by differences in air density. Hot air is lighter than cold air, so it rises.
- In design terms this is the simplest and cheapest solution.
Powered smoke ventilation
- It uses a fan to extract the smoke more effectively.
- The key parameter is the ventilation air flow rate, given in m3/h.
- Smoke is extracted through smoke vent windows and doors, rooflights, ventilation openings, ducts and shafts. Powered ventilation makes the air change in the protected space 10× faster.
Pressure differential ventilation
- It uses the same equipment for extracting and supplying air as powered ventilation, and adds pressure sensors.
- Unlike powered ventilation, the fans create a regulated overpressure that keeps the products of combustion out of the protected space.
- The main parameters are the overpressure in the escape route and the ventilation air flow rate given in m3/h.
- This type is the most effective and gives the longest time for evacuation and firefighting.
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Daily ventilation Linking with daily ventilation systems
We can also connect daily ventilation systems to the smoke ventilation. They let you breathe fresh air, save on energy and reduce the humidity in the building. Fresh outdoor air gets inside the natural way.
The great advantage of daily ventilation is automation, using air quality detectors, thermostats, timers and electric window drives.
What smoke ventilation equipment includes
Electric drives and locks
Electric drives for operating façade and louvre windows, rooflights, and single and double doors.
Control panels and modules
Control panels and power supplies for smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems.
Fire detectors and buttons
Fire detectors are used to raise a fire alarm. They are divided into: push-button fire detectors (SHEV buttons), optical smoke fire detectors (smoke detectors/smoke…
Alarm devices
Fire sounders and beacons are the ideal complement to smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems in residential buildings and hotels.
Controls and sensors
Ventilation buttons, thermostats, rain sensors, wind sensors, CO2 sensors.
Why buy your smoke ventilation system from us
We connect our products to your smoke ventilation solution
Do you already have a smoke vent rooflight or a fan in the building? We will connect it to the central unit or add an electric drive. Our products are compatible with most solutions on the market.
We either import our products from Germany or develop them ourselves
We develop and manufacture our own rooflights and façade and roof windows. The rest of the range consists of quality German products from D+H, a proven supplier of fire protection equipment.
Automation saves money and gives better protection
The control unit and the detectors fully automate the operation of the whole system. It can also be diagnosed by remote access, which saves you the cost of a technician’s call-out.
Professional installation throughout the Czech Republic and Slovakia
We install every component, the controls and the detectors included. We hand over the documentation the system needs and train your staff.
We advise designers and architects
We will help you build smoke ventilation into your building exactly as it needs to be, so that it meets every statutory standard and protects property and lives effectively.
We supply all the other components and extras
We can prepare electric drives for windows, rooflights, louvres, doors and locks. We supply heat and smoke detectors, safety buttons and controls.
We will help you choose the right smoke ventilation
Leave us your contact details. We will get in touch
shortly and prepare a tailor-made quote.
We protect buildings in the Czech Republic and across Europe
Smoke barriers and smoke ventilation at the Mochovce nuclear power plant
Mochovce, Slovakia (since 2016)Two units of the nuclear power plant are protected by our smoke and heat exhaust ventilation and smoke barrier systems, made in larger-than-standard dimensions. It was a challenge if only because of the strict fire safety requirements.
Václav Havel Airport Prague
Prague, Czech Republic (since 2002)For Terminal 2 we developed special aluminium façade windows that had no equal anywhere in the world.
Smoke ventilation for the Fondation Louis Vuitton
Paris, France (since 2011)For this unconventional building we designed a smoke and heat exhaust ventilation system to French standards. Within two months we solved a problem that had had Paris stumped for two years.