Fire safety systems
Welkins is a manufacturer of smoke and hot gas exhaust systems such as roof smoke hatches or smoke and facade ventilation windows – SHEV / RWA systems
SMOKE EXHAUST SYSTEMS
Roof or facade smoke vents
Smoke and hot gas exhaust vents through the roof
(SHEV / RWA systems)
Smoke exhaust vents (SHEV – Smoke and Heat Exhausting Ventilators) as they are generally known, are devices with automatic and manual activation designed to exhaust smoke and hot gases in the event of a fire. The purpose of using smoke vents is both to limit human and property damage and to facilitate the intervention of firefighting teams in the event of a fire. Applications for smoke vents: commercial spaces such as hypermarkets, shopping malls, logistics parks, production halls, theaters, schools, and so on.
When it comes to minimizing casualties or saving lives, it is well known that at least 90% of people exposed to a fire are not directly affected by the flames. Victims typically suffer from the toxic gases and hot air generated by the fire. These smoke vents (SHEV systems), like smoke exhaust windows, ensure the efficient evacuation of toxic gases inhaled by people during a fire and of the hot air that causes external and internal burns in the human body.
From the perspective of minimizing property damage, smoke extraction aims, on the one hand, to preserve the structural integrity of the building by removing hot air from the burning building; this helps maintain the lowest possible temperature inside, thereby preventing damage to the building’s load-bearing structure. This aims to limit or eliminate the risk of the building collapsing until emergency response teams arrive.
On the other hand, the goal is also to preserve the integrity of the stored goods; it is important to note that the equipment and goods inside a burning building are not affected solely by the fire. They also degrade due to the hot air or the chemical compounds produced by combustion, which leads to the destruction of this equipment and these goods. Furthermore, the hot air in a burning room, if not vented through smoke vents or smoke exhaust windows, can cause stored goods to spontaneously combust, even those located at a considerable distance from the source of the fire.
Therefore, it is clear that SHEV smoke extraction systems must be implemented to preserve the structural integrity of the building and the integrity of the stored goods and equipment for as long as possible until fire crews arrive to extinguish the fire.
The third objective of smoke and ventilation dampers is to facilitate the intervention of firefighting crews in the event of a fire. It is important to note that firefighting crews require a safe environment to be able to advance inside the burning building. If the air is too hot, they cannot advance to carry out their work.
Moreover, the dense, black smoke produced by the fire results in zero visibility, so the response team will be unable to advance and locate the source of the fire, and firefighting efforts in this case would be carried out at random. This highlights the importance of installing Welkins smoke vents and smoke exhaust windows.
Systems for the evacuation of smoke and hot gases, ventilation and fresh air supply for the solution of smoke extraction and ventilation in facades (smoke extraction windows)
For automatic opening and closing of windows, we offer solutions for a wide variety of applications, which can be a viable alternative to smoke vents.
Depending on the type of project, we can choose from a wide range of systems, developed together with our partner, GEZE, for ventilation in case of fire (RWA systems – Rauch und Wärmeabzugsanlagen), daily ventilation or fresh air intake.
Installed on aluminum profiles with glazing having different characteristics depending on the requirements of each individual project, The smoke extraction/ventilation in the facade is efficient, also ensuring a pleasant appearance for the smoke extraction solution (sistem RWA).
Smoke control window actuators create a safe and beneficial indoor atmosphere. They contribute to the safety and comfort of your building by reducing energy consumption and offering a wide variety of aesthetic options.
Depending on the specifics of each project, we can choose chain, rod or retractable arm motors. For large elements, locking motor solutions and automations designed exclusively for locking ensure perimeter tightness when closing. In addition to the smoke and hot gas exhaust solution (RWA), we also offer the automations necessary for fresh air intake.
Regardless of the project challenges, expert advice can lead to the ideal solution. Contact the Welkins team for professional installation of smoke and hot gas vents or smoke exhaust windows through the facade.
Safe Dome dome presentation leaflet – by Welkins
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