Why choose a MSVS?

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.

Why choose a NSVS?

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.

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