Most of us spend the majority of our time in closed environments on a daily basis. It is essential that the air quality is healthy, clean and fresh in order to ensure our physical well-being and allow us to concentrate on our daily activities. In case of fire in a room, it is important that we be familiar with and can quickly identify the escape routes that are so critical for our survival. The notes on these pages are designed to examine how a controlled ventilation of the rooms can be implemented and how to guarantee clean air and extraction of smoke when necessary.
RWA Systems – Smoke and heat extraction systems
All systems used to extract smoke and heat are a fundamental part of fire prevention, and the choice of the appropriate system for the particular building structure and construction must provide the best solution for saving human lives and preventing property damage. In any application in case of fire, maximum reliability of the smoke and gas extraction system is essential; the RWA system described on these page offers the desired safety. The basic operating concept of the fire-fighting system consists in preventing the smoke from remaining in the rooms and penetrating the escape routes and survival areas of the people. The safety system must activate automatically, opening all the openings from which the smoke and gases must be extracted, freeing the escape routes to areas with fresh, clean air. The same system, on a day-to-day basis, guarantees a controlled change of air in the rooms in order to improve the quality of life and health of the people in the rooms. It should also be noted that the system produces managerial savings since it uses a single system for a variety of purposes, but above all the natural ventilation of the rooms can be used without having to resort to forced air conditioning systems to the complete benefit of an improved quality of life.
NRWG devices for natural dispersion of smoke and heat in compliance with standard EN 12101-2
All smoke and heat extraction devices must be manufactured according to the standard EN 12101-2. The NRWG certification determines the test systems of the devices making up the system, such as the frame, automation, detection devices and control units. Even the construction materials are subject to this certification. According to the standard EN 12101-2, building product B part 1, in order to be used in the buildings they must be tested and certified; the catalogue of products includes motors, fastening materials, profiles for windows, window glass, fittings for fixtures (scissors, hinges, etc.), gaskets, etc. The construction and distribution of the extraction systems should be designed based on the building structure which may provide for outlets on the vertical walls, roof, forced channels, etc. Many builders have launched various solutions on the market, nevertheless all testing of the systems should be done by the informed inspection authorities. Once the test has been completed successfully, the manufacturers receive the classification report and can place their products on the market. The control systems and automations introduced on the following pages have obtained certification that guarantees maximum reliability for operation in case of fire.
