FDS FireSmart provides lifesaving smoke ventilation systems that assist occupant's means of escape and provide clear access for firefighting services.
What's more, these systems are comprised of several high-quality fire safety components to form both a complete and compliant smoke ventilation system.
The FDS FireSmart Mechanical smoke ventilation system is powered by fans to remove smoke from a building to provide a means of escape for occupants and access for fire-fighting services if a fire should occur.
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Natural Smoke Ventilation Systems from FDS FireSmart make us of ‘passive’ forces of wind and thermal buoyancy to provide a safe escape route for a building’s occupants.
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Car Park Ventilation from FDS FireSmart is called into action in the event of a fire, but also works day-to-day, maintaining a suitable level of air quality by exhausting pollutants, gases and fumes produced by vehicles.
Learn MoreThe systems included as part of the FDS FireSmart package have been made up of high-quality components, dedicated to providing the safest and most compliant smoke ventilation solutions. To secure a consistent supply of high-quality components, FDS FireSmart partners with several strong and reputable suppliers.
Combining a hotel with residential and retail units, the St James Group’s One SE8 mixed-use development provides high-end living spaces for both residents and visitors of Greenwich. A compliant smoke venting system was required for the project.
Initially brought on board by St James to carry out computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling, FDS Contracting identified and designed the most suitable smoke venting system for the building, which comprises of a Travel Lodge hotel flanked by two residential wings including 103 apartments, a 24 metre lap pool, on site restaurant and convenience store.
Returning to the site after being appointed by electrical contractors GW & E Wright Ltd., FDS installed both natural and mechanical smoke ventilation systems, as well as a GSM auto dialler system at the client’s request. In the event of fire this notifies building managers and concierge in the hotel, sending a text to a nominated manager to alert them before calling all other nominated persons if the system is not reset within a defined time constraint.
FDS installed a total of three 0.5m² fan assisted smoke venting shafts in the building’s residential wings, with one serving ‘Wing A’s 1st to 6th floors, joined by a make up air shaft which was installed for environmental purposes. Two further 0.5m² shafts, fitted in ‘Wing B’ served the upper ground to 6th floors, while an additional 1.5m² natural smoke shaft supplemented this. Corridor detection systems were installed in both of the wings to trigger the fan-assisted smoke venting systems in the event of fire.
The 90 bed hotel was also fitted with a mechanical smoke venting system including a 0.5m² shaft, serving the 1st to 6th floors with fans being fitted at roof level.
By protecting the means of escape and fire fighter access for the development, FDS’ systems provided safety benefits, while also operating on a day-to-day basis to provide ventilation for the common corridors. FDS was also able to interface its mechanical smoke venting system with a fire alarm installed on site by a third party.
For more information about this project please download the case study or contact us on 01322 387411 / email info@fdsuk.com
Located in East Putney, St James Group’s mixed-use development, Langham Square, is the first phase in the ongoing redevelopment of redundant office buildings in the area, providing open public spaces and contemporary living just a short distance from the River Thames. Due to the size and scale of the building, the project required an innovative smoke venting solution.
Comprising of 104 luxury apartments and penthouses, the site also includes a ‘Little Waitrose’ store, a coffee outlet, a restaurant, and office space. In addition, the development features an underground car park, where parking is allocated to a number of apartments and to the commercial units. Each apartment boasts private outdoor space and floor-to-ceiling glazing, further enhancing views. The North facing apartments have stunning views out over the city.
FDS Contracting (FDS) was appointed following the initial smoke ventilation contractor’s departure from the project. This saw FDS required to work to a strict deadline of three months in order to maintain the existing completion date for the project.
Working with previously approved designs, FDS was required to take a unique approach, sourcing the equipment specified while also incorporating a corridor environmental system into the smoke extraction system.
By using the existing mechanical smoke ventilation system to provide day-to-day ventilation, FDS was able to provide an efficient and cost-effective solution to potential overheating in the development’s common corridors.
As smoke venting systems are a requirement in multi-storey buildings such as this, utilising the system for environmental ventilation purposes allowed St James to maximise the space available while reducing costs by removing the need to specify a dedicated ventilation system.
By providing this fire engineered solution, FDS was able to ensure that the development had higher standards of fire safety than those required by Approved Document B (ADB), while adhering to the deadlines put in place to ensure that the project was delivered to schedule.
For more information about this project please download the case study or contact us on 01322 387411 / email info@fdsuk.com
FDS is proud to have provided a compliant smoke venting solution for Queensland Terrace. Situated beside the Emirates Stadium, Queensland Terrace is a large-scale mixed use development, providing housing, restaurants, cafes, bars and offices for the area of Islington, London.
The final housing phase in regeneration works by Arsenal Football Club, the development includes more than 700 homes, with 252 being affordable. The development is also home to the new Arsenal Sports Centre, providing a space for the club’s educational and community programmes, as well as access for local residents.
Appointed to the project by main contractor Kier Construction, FDS Contracting (FDS) was enlisted to design, supply and install a number of smoke venting systems, including mechanical smoke venting and fire alarm systems to provide means of escape and fire fighting access. By applying a value engineered approach to the design of cores 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the Southside block, FDS was able to reduce the number of smoke shafts per core from two to one, providing significant added value and benefit to the project.
Corridor environmental systems were also installed, performing the duty of day to day air venting of common corridors by utilising the smoke venting systems, saving both installation costs and space.
FDS’ final appointment was to design, supply and install a residential fire sprinkler system to satisfy British Standard 9251 requirements.
FDS also worked with Kier to overcome an installation issue, interfacing bin store extraction fans with the fire detection system to ensure that they shut down once ‘fire fighting mode’ was engaged.
Working to satisfy Building Control standards, FDS undertook extensive commissioning and system testing to ensure the high quality performance of all systems.
Smoke Venting contractor, FDS has completed work on a prestigious commercial project within the Southbank’s new London Bridge Quarter, developed by Sellar in partnership with the State of Qatar.
Standing next to one of the capital’s most iconic new buildings, The Shard, The Place – now known as the News Building and occupied by News UK – is an innovative headquarters building that provides 40,000m2 of premium office space across 17 storeys.
The Place is an architecturally stunning building, featuring natural light and outstanding views which were created using a range of innovative building processes, including the complicated cantilever structure of the building, which required the installation of one of the largest piles of its type in London, at 2.4m diameter.
FDS was brought on board by main contractor Mace to provide a comprehensive smoke venting solution for the Renzo Piano designed building.
CFD modelling was undertaken to justify the concept as part of a smoke management report for submission and approval by the approving authority and fire service. FDS also developed design drawings for the system, highlighting the necessary details and key interfaces to meet Building Regulations approval.
FDS’ designs incorporated two mechanical smoke venting systems, serving the building’s West and East cores, providing means of escape and firefighting access. Both cores feature 0.75m2 smoke shafts, which span 19 levels (basement to 17th floor) in the West core and 20 levels (basement, ground, mezzanine to 17th) in the East.
As well as providing designs, FDS’ team also managed the supply and installation within an agreed programme of works. The programme ensured that FDS had to commission the system within tight timescales that were achieved through careful project management.
Award-winning smoke ventilation system design and installation contractors FDS Contracting (FDS) have completed work on one of London’s most prestigious large scale residential projects.
Working with developer Galliard Construction, FDS provided the design and installation of a number of smoke venting systems, including the pioneering Firesmart intelligent control system, across the Greenwich development.
Unusually for a development of this size, the project was not delivered in phases – meaning that FDS had to deliver across all 12 blocks within the same tight timescale.
FDS was tasked with designing, supplying, installing and commissioning mechanical smoke venting systems within each block, along with corridor environmental systems that alleviate the common corridor overheating issue.
The BS 5839 compliant ‘FireSmart’ control panel system installed as part of the project provided a great deal of flexibility and simpler installation for the FDS team on site, as all fire systems were included in a single loop. Utilising the system also enabled installation teams to add or extend systems much more easily than is usually the case.
FireSmart will produce status reports and commissioning logs at New Capital Quay, making it an integral part of the building’s ongoing fire plan.
Further variations were added to the project in the form of a smoke clearance system within the underground car parking area of each block, which utilises a thrust ventilation system to clear smoke quickly from the enclosed area in the event of a fire. FDS was able to not only install this in line with the original project schedule, but also conduct a phased handover of the car park, requested halfway through the project.
Gerard Sheridan, Chairman at FDS, said: “The key to the successful management and completion of this project was co-ordination with the developer, with whom we’ve worked before, and our fellow contractors.”
The mixed used development boasts more than 1,000 individual dwellings along with shops, offices, leisure facilities, underground parking and a health centre.
For more information about this project please download the case study or contact us on 01322 387411 / email info@fdsuk.com
One of London’s landmark hotels has undertaken a complete restoration and recreation with the help of leading smoke venting contractor FDS Contracting (FDS).
The five-star Corinthia Hotel stands on the site of the former Metropole Hotel in Westminster after a lengthy remodelling process undertaken by main contractor Ardmore Construction Limited. As part of this restoration, The Corinthia retains many original features such as its ornate Northumberland Avenue entrance and Grand Ballroom, while incorporating contemporary features to preserve an air of modern luxury.
Ardmore initially appointed sister company FDS Consult (FDSC) to provide fire design advice and a fire strategy for the development. Utilising Computer Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Modelling Analysis, FDSC was able to optimise the building programme by recommending the most practical methods of protecting the structure from fire, whilst gaining approval for the justification of intensive and open plan bedrooms and suites – providing cost savings during the construction phase and maximising usable space. FDS Consult was able to justify the removal of a potentially costly sprinkler system within the residential element of the development as part of this optimised building programme.
Following the consultancy phase, FDS was required to design, supply and install a mechanical smoke ventilation system to meet building regulations but that did not compromise the hotel’s aesthetics. The system features two smoke shafts with fans fitted at roof level to serve the hotel’s 11 floors, as well as a louvred vent situated at the top of the stairs with associated pressure sensors.
Further commissions saw FDS provide smoke venting solutions to the hotel’s luxury residencies and apartments. The adjoining apartment building, which boasts 12 residential apartments, required the design and installation of a fan assisted single speed mechanical smoke ventilation system.
The mechanical smoke ventilation system comprised two shafts, a louvered vent at the head of the stairs and fans at the top level. The concept for the system was justified using CFD modelling, which FDS included within a concept smoke management report for the approving authority and the fire service. Further cost and space savings were also made by FDS, who reduced the size of smoke vent shafts to the fire fighting staircases from 3m2 down to 0.6m2 per floor, providing additional saleable space.
Gerard Sheridan at FDS Contracting Limited, said: “The client’s aim with the Corinthia was to restore one of London’s most iconic hotels to its former glory, and the key to that was incorporating spacious, luxurious bedrooms. FDS Group helped greatly with this by providing a comprehensive fire strategy plan that allowed us to achieve design freedom and an effective and modern smoke venting solution.”
Located adjacent to Tottenham Hale tube station, the Hale Village mixed-use development provides 1,193 student accommodation units alongside 1,000 private and affordable residential units, a 132 bedroom hotel and substantial commercial space.
Initially brought on board by United House to install mechanical smoke ventilation systems for one of the development’s affordable housing blocks, FDS Contracting (FDS) was asked to install systems for a further two blocks, plus an underground car park that runs beneath the site. A further appointment by Willmott Dixon saw FDS take on work at two of the development’s ‘Pavilion’ private residential blocks.
Working with multiple clients and their architects, FDS installed three different systems within the development, consisting of natural and mechanical smoke ventilation systems and corridor environmental systems.
FDS was also required to design, supply, install and commission the car park smoke clearance system utilising a Thrust Ventilation system, carbon monoxide detection system, fire alarm system and attenuation. Once on site, FDS carried out assessments and tests to determine the smoke flow rate likely to be created from a two car fire, in line with British Standards for car parks (BS7346 Part 7). Using the data gathered, FDS’ specialists engineered a smaller venting system for the car park than was originally included in the designs. This was justified by demonstrating that the required 10 air changes per hour could still be achieved in the area affected by smoke.
The assessment and subsequent system design led to large reductions in the fan size needed, which in turn reduced the size of associated cables and controls, necessitating a smaller plant room. As a result of this space saving the end client was able to create more saleable car parking space whilst minimising costs. The works also saw FDS retrofit an existing fire alarm system to the car parking area.
As the work on site took place over the course of three years, the car park was handed over in stages. This introduced a challenge for FDS, as the areas of the car park which were completed earliest were situated next to sections that were still undergoing work. This issue was overcome through intelligent programming of the detection systems, and by disabling it in certain areas to ensure that the installed system was not affected by ongoing work.
In addition, FDS Contracting was awarded with the service and maintenance contract for the site.
For more information about this project please download the case study or contact us on 01322 387411 / email info@fdsuk.com
As part of the extensive urban regeneration of Stratford, close to the Olympic Park, Galliford Try created a substantial mixed use development at Rick Roberts Way.
The project saw the creation of 173 homes across a mixed use scheme of three apartment blocks, a crescent of terraced houses and 1,000m2 of commercial space with the intention of producing a varied and sustainable community of properties ranging from one bedroom flats to four bedroom townhouses.
FDS Contracting (FDS) was initially appointed to design, supply, install and commission a residential sprinkler system for the project by Woodford Heating Limited. The system serves 90 apartments across 13 floors in line with British Standards (BS9251:2005), which focuses on domestic sprinkler systems installed for life safety purposes.
Through taking a value engineered approach and offering a residential sprinkler system capable of utilising the blocks’ boosted cold water mains service, FDS was able to bring significant cost and space savings to the project by removing the need for an additional water tank to feed the system – allowing Galliford Try to make better use of the site’s plant room.
FDS was also contracted by electrical engineering contractor O.C.B. Electrical Limited to provide a natural smoke venting system for the project’s three apartment blocks, to allow smoke clearance for firefighting access and means of escape.
For more information about this project please download the case study or contact us on 01322 387411 / email info@fdsuk.com
FDS was called upon to apply its smoke ventilation design and installation experience on the prestigious site of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Athlete’s Village provided high quality accommodation to over 17,000 athletes participating in the summer games, before being converted into residential apartments for some of London’s key workers.
FDS designed, supplied, installed and commissioned mechanical smoke ventilation systems for a number of the village’s residential apartment buildings, the first such solution to meet the required approvals of the Athlete’s Village.
In addition, FDS installed an enhanced ventilation system in the site’s car parking areas. Incorporating an innovative hybrid natural and mechanical solution, the system provided extraction to remove day-to-day pollutants as well as smoke clearance in the event of fire.
Successfully completed on time, the fire protection systems installed by FDS achieved Building Regulations compliance within the client’s timescale.
Poised to be one of the most desirable addresses in Westminster, 10 Rochester Row is a seven storey residential scheme with basement car parking in the heart of the City. The prestigious development includes a total of 34 privately owned apartments ranging from large one-bedroom apartments to £multi-million, 2,000 ft2, three-bedroom duplex penthouses, all of which are arranged around a central atrium that provides a private courtyard for the scheme. The development also includes 21 social housing apartments. To address the fire safety needs of such a prestigious and high profile development, in particular those posed by the atrium, the developer enlisted the help of FDS to design and implement cutting edge smoke ventilation systems.
The biggest challenge presented by the building was the large central atrium which made effective smoke venting essential but the architectural design meant that there was no available space to install fans for a venting system. Instead, an ETFE (Ethylene TetrafluoroEthylene Co-Polymer) foil roof was specified which had to be linked to the smoke detection system. This advanced roofing material is durable, provides excellent natural light levels and can burn away harmlessly and completely to open up the roof area as a large natural vent in the event of a fire. Using this technology and the company’s fire systems expertise, FDS integrated the ETFE roof with a sophisticated control system linked to smoke detectors which will activate heating elements in the roof, enabling it to burn away and open up the roof space in the event of a fire. As an essential part of the system design, the experienced FDS team also incorporated an innovative ‘triple knock’ activation system to ensure that the ETFE roof cannot be destroyed unnecessarily due to a false alarm.
Across the remainder of the scheme, FDS used the company’s creative approach to fire system design to enhance safety with the installation of:
Thanks to FDS’s CFD modelling expertise, the company was able to demonstrate the effectiveness of the systems specified and the company carried out all design installation and commissioning of the fire systems at 10 Rochester Row, ensuring that the building received full building regulations approval and met the exacting standards expected by both the developer and future residents.
FDS were appointed as they have proven their expertise on a number of projects with Barratt Homes previously. As part of a collaborative effort to ensure the build deadlines were met, FDS overcame a number of fire safety challenges on this complex scheme in the centre of Westminster. This included developing solutions to overcome issues presented by the architecture of the building such as the central atrium which was addressed by specifying an ETFE foil roof linked to a sophisticated smoke detection system. FDS carried out the design, installation and commissioning of the fire systems, ensuring that the building received full fire service approval. Barratt Homes
For more information about this project please contact us on 01322 387411 / email info@fdsuk.com
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Mechanical Smoke Ventilation from FDS FireSmart aid the safe escape of occupants' and allows adequate access for firefighters. Our Mechanical Smoke Ventilation Systems (MSVS) are an alternative method to Natural Smoke Venting.
This type of smoke extraction system comprises of a mechanical extract shaft that serves the common corridor and/ or lobby. When smoke it detected within a protected lobby, only the fire damper to the smoke shaft on the fire floor will open (all other dampers will remain locked shut). In turn, the vent at the head of the staircase will open allowing the smoke to be removed and make up air for the smoke extraction system.
The fan at the top of the mechanical smoke shaft extracts the smoke and prevents migration of smoke into the adjacent compartments. Thus, aiding the occupants' means of escape and providing suitable access for firefighting services.
Natural Smoke Ventilation Systems from FDS FireSmart remain sympathetic to the architect's aesthetic vision, while offering maximum floor space efficiency and cost savings. It is a total solution that provides a reliable and cost-effective method of meeting the requirements of Approved Document B.
In the event of a fire, natural venting systems open air ways, using natural air flow dynamics to remove smoke, which is arguably the biggest threat to life. This can be attained by opening windows or vents, an automatic opening vent (AOV) or, where there is no external wall, a vertical smoke shaft.
This creates a natural air flow to purge smoke from the building and exhaust it into the atmosphere, offering a safe means of escape for occupants, with greater visibility and access for fire fighters.
Using CO monitoring and a stepped control algorithm, FDS FireSmart ensures there is sufficient air extraction to remove day-to-day pollutants properly, while maintaining maximum energy efficiency
Smoke is a real threat to life in an enclosed space such as an underground car park and also causes significant issues for fire fighters dealing with the fire.
FDS FireSmarts' smoke extraction and ventilation systems are designed to rapidly remove smoke during and after a fire.
Substantial space saving benefits creating more saleable space
The standard states that mechanical smoke shaft systems can be used, provided they offer equivalent performance to their 1.5m² natural counterparts. Due to the greater efficiency of mechanical systems, shafts can be as small as 0.6m in most circumstances, although as buildings increase in height, the cross-sectional area of the shaft may need to increase up to 1m2. Consequently this can provide substantial space saving benefits over natural systems, creating more saleable space within a property.
Suitable where common corridor travel distances extend over 7.5m
Protecting the building’s staircase, these systems can also be implemented in buildings that contain travel distances in the common corridor that extend over the code recommended 7.5m in an un-sprinklered building and over 15m in a sprinklered building. This is because they offer greater performance for means of escape, assisting in clearing smoke from the building’s common corridors, mitigating this non-compliance.
Aesthetics, Maintenance and Cost Efficiency
If the property’s common corridor has an external wall, natural smoke ventilation systems are a particularly cost-effective method of achieving compliance as existing windows can be used for this purpose.
Whilst remaining sympathetic to the architect’s aesthetic vision, as well as offering maximum floor space efficiency and cost savings, natural systems also offer the advantage of easy maintenance due to the small amount of mechanical parts included, often simply consisting of fire doors and an actuator.
This lack of required maintenance makes natural systems ideal for use in multi-occupancy properties where maintenance budgets are limited, or where systems may be vandalised.
Download our Smoke Ventilation System PDF Guide to help you understand the elements of a system and how they interact with each other.