During a fire, the biggest danger is smoke. Even if a person has not suffered from a fire, he can be poisoned by carbon monoxide and poisons that are contained in smoke. To prevent this, enterprises and public institutions use smoke exhaust systems. However, they also need regular inspection and repair from time to time. There is a certain regulation for the maintenance of smoke exhaust systems. Let's take a look at it.
What are smoke extraction systems?
Smoke ventilation system is necessary in order to remove combustion products during a fire and supply clean air to the room. This is used to successfully evacuate people, because they can inhale smoke and undermine their he alth.
Therefore, this system must always be in good working order. To do this, when installing it without faila contract for the maintenance of the smoke exhaust system is being developed. In this way, you ensure regular checks and repairs of equipment, which eliminates a malfunction at the most inopportune moment.
What are they made of?
Each such device contains the following components:
- fans for extracting smoke from the room to the street;
- air pressurization fans that create pressure and prevent the penetration of smoke into the exhausted place;
- air ducts with smoke exhaust dampers;
- fire dampers;
- network of ventilation ducts to remove smoke from premises;
- automatic control system, which includes a switchboard and control panel, cable routes.
Working principle
Fire ventilation starts automatically when there is a fire signal. Next, the following actions occur:
- The system turns on the smoke exhaust fan.
- Special smoke exhaust valves open at the place of smoke.
- Valves that stop the fire, on the contrary, close.
- The control panel receives information about the progress of work.
If the devices of the smoke exhaust system are out of order, then this is also fed to the control panel. In this case, urgent action must be taken.
Also, in the event of a malfunction of the system's automation, manual control of smoke exhaust systems is also provided. They can either acttogether with the central fire safety system, or separately.
Types of systems
As we have already indicated above, fire ventilation devices can be automatic or manual. You can also see both of these types in the same enterprise. For example, a manual smoke exhaust system in a multi-storey building “insures” an automatic one. If the latter fails, people can use the other to save their lives.
Also, systems are divided into dynamic and static depending on how they work. For example, static ones simply turn off all fans, the smoke itself moves towards natural ventilation under the ceiling. They are, of course, cheaper, but they do not provide the necessary security. They may be approved for small businesses.
Dynamic, in turn, has special exhaust fans and air handling stations. They themselves remove smoke and combustion products, provide fresh air to the premises. These systems are the most efficient, but they are also much more expensive.
Maintenance of the smoke exhaust system
The lives and he alth of people depend on the serviceability of fire ventilation. Therefore, they are subject to constant monitoring and scheduled inspections. This issue must be de alt with by competent specialists. It is simply impossible to independently monitor the he alth of smoke exhaust systems, and it is forbidden.
Specialists in this field can offer you the following list of their services:
- assessment of the condition of the premises and natural ventilation;
- designing the system and its components;
- installation and control of all elements;
- prevent device failures;
- Check equipment serviceability at least once a month;
- change sets of obsolete elements;
- repair work;
- documentation.
Periodicity
The frequency of inspections and repairs is negotiated at the stage of design and installation of equipment. At the same time, the Decree of the Russian Government (No. 390 of April 25, 2012) is taken into account. It stipulates the holding of such events at least once a quarter, that is, every 3 months. In this regard, the smoke exhaust system maintenance system is divided into monthly and quarterly work.
Monthly inspections of fire ventilation systems include the following:
- Checking installed equipment (sensors, devices, fixtures, valves, etc.) with their diagnostics;
- general check of the system for operation;
- troubleshooting, replacement or repair of equipment and machinery.
Quarterly diagnostics of fire extinguishing and smoke removal devices includes the following actions:
- cleaning, diagnostics and adjustment of the existing fire ventilation system;
- diagnostics of system operation in case it is connected to backup power sources;
- correctionmalfunctions, change or repair of equipment and mechanisms;
- check diagnostics and start devices after troubleshooting;
- adjusting and setting up equipment if necessary.
The smoke exhaust system maintenance system includes entries in a special journal and related documents. They should indicate what work was carried out, what was diagnosed as a result of the check, what malfunctions, breakdowns or failures were found, as well as the timing of their elimination. It should also indicate which organization carried out the check, its contacts, a license from the Ministry of Emergency Situations. In case of failure to comply with these recommendations on time, sanctions may be imposed on the enterprise.
What are they paying attention to?
The maintenance system for smoke exhaust systems implies an assessment of the following points:
- all elements of the duct system and fans must not be damaged;
- all electrical components must be carefully insulated;
- automatic systems must be in good working order;
- smoke hatches and mounts must be kept intact.
It takes a long time to cover all the aspects that need attention. The scope of work extends from the study of sound alerts in case of fire to the testing of electric motors that clean the premises from smoke, dust, soot, ash and burning.
During the verification process, special attention is paid to the individual consideration of each node of the system.
Services
Maintenance of the smoke exhaust system can be of 2 types:
- Service (technical). It happens one-time and periodic. The latter is more productive, since it constantly monitors the he alth of the system. If you apply to the same organization for checking the system, then the documentation is issued once after the initial check. Further checks do not require such a long paperwork.
- Warranty. This type of maintenance is provided by the company that sold and installed your fire ventilation unit. Usually this species has a term. It is prescribed in the contract along with the list of services provided. Often, such an agreement is designed for 1 year, during which the service will be free of charge.
Repair work
Any system needs repair from time to time. The system for maintenance of smoke exhaust systems includes 3 types of repair work.
- Current, or planned preventive. The frequency of this type of repair work is usually set in advance. In the course of its implementation, workers clean the system of accumulated dust, replace filters, and check the operation of all system components. The serviceability of automation is also checked and the necessary preventive measures are taken.
- Urgent. This type of repair is needed when, in the event of an extraordinary check, a breakdown was detectedor a failure in the system. In this case, the equipment is diagnosed, the localization of the breakdown is determined and eliminated as soon as possible. All this must be done promptly so that the enterprise does not remain without fire ventilation for a long time. After the manipulations, the correctness and speed of the smoke exhaust system is checked.
- Capital. A complete replacement of the system is implied. This is necessary if an enterprise or a residential building has an outdated fire protection system. In this situation, a new system is being designed.
