New smoke guide

SCA smoke control design guide published

The Smoke Control Association (SCA) has published an updated version of its comprehensive Guidance on Smoke Control to Common Escape Routes in Apartment Buildings document.

Previously revised in 2012 and 2015, the guide was fi rst published in 2010 and was quickly adopted as the default reference document for designers, installers and authorities involved in the provision of life safety systems in high rise buildings. Included in the newly-revised document are a host of original recommendations, updated product standards and a new section on fi re and rescue service Intervention. Preventing the spread of smoke through buildings can ultimately save lives and the primary objective of the smoke ventilation system is to protect the staircase and the common circulation areas. The updated guidance document provides vital in-depth information on requirements relating to the design, installation and testing of smoke control systems, as well as highlighting relevant legislation, standards and codes of practice. Recognising that the new guide takes fi refi ghting considerations into account when discussing industry best practice, The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) in the UK has welcomed its introduction and the SCA anticipates that the revised document will make a signifi cant contribution in helping to improve overall understanding of smoke control systems. David Mowatt, Chairman of the SCA, comments: “Due to the everincreasing complexity of building design and further design developments in our industry, it was decided that the SCA document needed to be updated to ensure it remained current. The SCA is committed to promoting the highest industry standards and the guide is a refl ection of this work.” The revised document can be viewed at www.smokecontrol.org.uk/resources Q