Quality Mechanical Ventilation Systems = Quality Air for All
Breathing comes so naturally to us that we are sometimes barely conscious of it. But, bad air quality can affect us in many ways—from mere discomfort to loss of life. Since a lot of us spend time indoors nowadays, how do we ensure that the air we breathe is safe?
This
is where the Mechanical Ventilation System comes in; it plays a major part in
our daily lives by
- circulating the air in buildings so that all occupants are able to
enjoy good air quality
- continuously replacing the air from the space with fresh, outdoor
air
- removing heat from the space and also possible contaminants, such
as products of respiration, bacteria, odours, products of combustion,
building materials and furnishings, etc.
The
role of the Mechanical Ventilation System in Fire Protection
The
Mechanical Ventilation System is also a key component of fire safety. In the
event of a fire, smoke and polluted air can spread rapidly throughout the
building and in most incidents, death and injuries usually result from smoke
inhalation rather than the heat from the flames.
This system reduces the risk factors by ensuring that the evacuation routes are safe and secure for people to leave the building.
Who
is responsible for the Mechanical Ventilation System?
Thus,
according to the requirements from 1) the Code of Practice for Fire Precautions
in Building 2018 (Fire Code 2018) - Chapter 7 and 2) the Code of Practice for
air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation in building (SS 553: 2016+A1:
2017), Building Owners and Council Members are responsible for installing the
Mechanical Ventilation System to
- Provide air ventilation in the building where natural ventilation
is not a suitable or effective smoke control measure
- To purge or prevent smoke build-up in certain key aspects of the
building, especially where means of escape are critical in the event of
fire i.e. staircases
Additional
Requirements:
- The common frequency of inspection, testing and maintenance of the
Mechanical Ventilation System in buildings, as per regulations, is monthly
- In any building of which habitable height exceeds 24m, any internal
exit staircases without provision for natural ventilation shall be
pressurized to comply with the requirements
- In a building comprising more than 4 basement storeys, any exit staircase connected to fire fighting lobby in basement storeys shall be pressurized to comply with the requirements
Basic
features of the Mechanical Ventilation System
The
system is made up primarily of 4 types of mechanical ventilation system that
you will usually hear or see in use:
Jet
Fan (High and Low speed)
- Also known as impulse or induction fans
- Usually used at underground carparks and multi-storey carparks
where due to exhaust gases, the air is severely contaminated with carbon
monoxide, nitrogen oxide and LPG. The Jet Fan is use to quickly extract
the polluted air from the area.
- Supports the natural flow between the supply air and extract air
zones, without ducts
Fresh
Air Fan
- Supports the inflow of fresh air from the external environment into
the building
Exhaust
Fan
- Supports the extraction of polluted air or smoke out of the area
and/ or building, usually installed with ducts
Pressurization
Fan
- Supports the pressurization of staircases that does not allow for
natural ventilation of purging smoke out of the stairway that is the
emergency escape route for the building
Where
is the Mechanical Ventilation System found?
- Car parks
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms, toilets and locker rooms
- Exit facilities
- Fire Command Centre
- Engine driven pump room
- Generator room
- Spaces involving the use of flammable and explosive substances
How
BSE Can Help?
Fire
Protection Specialists like BSE, MCST Managing agencies, and/ or technicians
are engaged to assist Building Owners and Council Members. We provide the
- Inspection of the Mechanical Ventilation System and equipment
- Testing of Mechanical Ventilation System and equipment under fire
and fault conditions
- Identification of defects for recommendation and rectification in a
timely manner
Ventilation is important, and many factors can influence how well it works or if the building has the proper balance of air flow throughout especially in the event of a fire incident. Contact us today to find out how we can value-add to your existing Fire Protection Maintenance Services.
Tips
On an Optimum Mechanical Ventilation System
- Ensure that TESTS are conducted based on Pressurization Systems (Code of Practice for
Fire Precautions in Buildings)
- Ensure that SIGNALS from the Fire Alarm Panel can AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATE the Fan Controller Panel to trigger the system in the event of
fire
- Ensure there are NO OBSTRUCTIONS or blockages at the start and end of the duct-work or fan grille
to ensure that the proper airflow path is being observed
Informative
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