Maintain system integrity, protect occupants, and ensure compliance with smoke shaft testing services from Stroma Built Environment. Whether it’s for initial design, regular inspections, or failure investigations, our certified team can provide expert support for a wide range of residential and commercial premises.
What Is Smoke Shaft Testing?
Smoke shafts are essential ventilation systems installed in high-rise residential and commercial buildings. They work by extracting smoke from escape routes and directing it through ducts to expel it from the building. In the event of a fire, these systems keep corridors, stairwells, and other common areas safe for evacuation.
While crucial for maintaining clear visibility and reducing the risk of smoke inhalation, smoke shafts must be sufficiently airtight to extract smoke effectively. Smoke shaft testing can be carried out to assess the air leakage rate of the system’s envelope, identify potential leakage paths, and inform appropriate remedial strategies to ensure optimal performance.
Our Smoke Shaft Vent Testing Services
At Stroma, we specialise in providing comprehensive smoke vent testing to verify the safety and compliance of your building’s smoke shafts. Using high-powered fan equipment and UKAS-calibrated tools, we accurately measure the airtightness of your systems to meet required performance standards.
For any smoke shafts that fail initial tests, we can provide diagnostic services using smoke testing machines and thermal imaging to locate and address air leakage paths. Following successful testing, we will provide certification to demonstrate compliance.
Not sure if you need a smoke shaft vent test? Talk to our experts for impartial advice about your property or project.
Conducting Fire Suppression Room Integrity Testing
Smoke vent testing is a type of room integrity test, ensuring that fire suppression or control systems perform effectively. By measuring the airtightness of smoke shaft vents, smoke shaft testing confirms that the system will reliably remove smoke and protect escape routes during a fire.
First, we prepare the smoke shaft for testing by sealing the top of the shaft and the Automatic Opening Vents (AOVs) at each floor. Then, we conduct airtightness tests from 25 Pa to 70 Pa according to relevant industry standards. If the system passes, we produce a certification. If it fails, we perform further diagnostic tests and offer a detailed report to inform remedial work.
It's important to note that remedial work can be difficult and costly due to the restricted size of the working area. Therefore, seeking airtightness consultancy at any early stage is recommended. At Stroma, we assist from design stages through to completion, helping you meet necessary airtightness targets and compliance.
Why Choose Stroma for Smoke Shaft Testing?
Navigating the regulations and technical aspects of smoke shaft vent systems can be complex. At Stroma, we offer professional guidance and expertise to ensure your systems are designed, installed, and tested in compliance with the latest regulations and best practices.
Why choose Stroma?
- Expertise: Our team of qualified assessors has extensive experience in the built environment sector, delivering reliable smoke shaft testing for diverse building types.
- Safety Standards: We prioritise safety and compliance, helping you understand your obligations and carrying out testing to all applicable industry standards and regulations.
- Advanced Technology: We use the latest technology and methodologies to provide accurate and efficient results, giving you confidence in our testing processes.
- Customer Satisfaction: Stroma values clear communication and support throughout the entire process, producing clear and actionable insights you can depend on.
Don’t compromise on safety. Contact Stroma to schedule your smoke shaft testing today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common air leakage paths in smoke shafts?
Air leakage paths in smoke shafts are usually caused by insufficient sealing at junctions and joints. Common areas for consideration include:
- Internal plasterboard
- Ductwork
- Frames & architraves
- Cable penetrations
- Conduits
When do you need smoke vent testing?
Planning an effective airtightness strategy for smoke shaft vent systems from the start is crucial to avoid costly and inconvenient remedial work later on. Systems should be tested before installation and commissioning, during routine inspections every few years, after any modifications to the building or system, and following a fire.
What happens if my building fails a smoke shaft vent test?
If your smoke shaft vent system fails the airtightness test, remedial work may have to be completed by specialised rope access teams with confined space training. Our Specialist Access division can help with this, finding the most effective, cost-efficient way to address identified air leakage paths – even in tight spaces.
Stroma Built Environment and its team of experts are here ready to discuss a range of packages for any new project. Get in touch today!