SS 13 Smoke control systems
A. Scope
A mechanical smoke control system is required to be listed on a compliance schedule where the system:
A.1 has been installed solely for the purpose of controlling or discharging smoke in the event of a fire, and
A.2 the smoke is removed or controlled using mechanical means.
Examples:
Examples of mechanical smoke control systems include, but are not limited to:
(i) dedicated smoke exhaust
(ii) dedicated smoke control.
COMMENT:
SS 13/1 does not apply to air handling systems required to function in smoke clearance mode during a fire. Such systems are covered under SS9.
B. Inspection
General
Mechanical smoke ventilation systems require regular inspection and testing to ensure they operate as required by the performance standard.
Content and frequency of inspections
Depending on the type of installation and its performance standard, the following referenced Standard or document could be used.
B.1 AS 1851
B.2 A specifically-designed solution prepared by a person who, on the basis of experience and qualifications, is competent to do so
C. Maintenance
Planned preventative maintenance and responsive maintenance should be carried out in accordance with the nominated performance and inspection Standard or document, and to ensure effective operation for the required duration in the event of a fire.
SS 13/2 Natural smoke control
A. Scope
A natural smoke control system is required to be listed on a compliance schedule where the system:
A.1 has been installed solely to control or ventilate smoke in the event of a fire, and
A.2 the smoke is removed or controlled using natural buoyancy methods.
Examples:
Examples of natural smoke control systems include, but are not limited to:
(i) a natural smoke ventilator which is designed to open automatically after the outbreak of fire
(ii) a smoke reservoir specifically designed within a building to retain or collect a thermally buoyant smoke layer in the event of a fire.
COMMENT:
Reservoirs can also be used with a mechanical system, see SS 13/1.
B. Inspection
General
Natural smoke control systems require regular inspection and testing to ensure they operate as required by the performance standard.
Content and frequency of inspections
Depending on the type of installation and its performance standard, the following referenced Standard or document could be used.
B.1 AS 1851
B.2 A specifically-designed solution prepared by a person who, on the basis of experience and qualifications, is competent to do so As a minimum, and if not already stated by the nominated Standard or document, inspections should be carried out six-monthly and annually.
Six-monthly inspections
The following minimum inspections and tests should be carried out at six-monthly intervals where appropriate to the installation.
B.3 Visual inspections
B.3.1 Inspect for damage to mechanical components including corrosion damage.
B.4 Operational inspections
B.4.1 Where a fire alarm signal is used, activate the fire alarm and check the correct automatic operation of the ventilator(s)
B.4.2 Where a heat-activated fusible link is used, disconnect the fusible link and check the correct automatic operation of the ventilator(s). Reconnect fusible link following successful operation and return ventilator(s) to normal position
Annual inspections
The following minimum inspections and tests should be carried out annually, where appropriate to the installation.
B.5 Carry out the six-monthly visual and operation inspection and testing.
B.6 Check energy source to:
– ventilator actuator eg, gas charge in gas powered actuator
– electrical supply to motors or other electrical powered actuating devices
– power supply to any control panel
– power supply to any electro-mechanical ‘hold closed’ device.
B.7 Check fuses, isolators, relays and contactors.
B.8 Check condition of cables and terminals.
C. Maintenance
Planned preventative maintenance and responsive maintenance should be carried out in accordance with the nominated performance and inspection Standard or document, and to ensure effective operation for the required duration in the event of a fire. In particular, the following should be carried out at the inspections as required.
C.1 Replace any fuses, isolators, relays or contactors found to be faulty (Ref B.7)
C.2 Tighten terminals where necessary (Ref B.8)
SS 13/3 Smoke curtains
A. Scope
A smoke curtain is required to be listed on a compliance schedule where the curtain:
A.1 has been installed to control smoke movement within a building.
B. Inspection
General
Smoke curtains require regular inspection and testing to ensure they operate as required by the performance standard.
Content and frequency of inspections
Depending on the type of installation and its performance standard, the following referenced Standard or document could be used:
B.1 AS 1851
B.2 A specifically-designed solution prepared by a person who, on the basis of experience and qualifications, is competent to do so As a minimum, and if not already stated by the nominated Standard or document, the following
inspections should be carried out six-monthly and annually.
Six-monthly inspections
The following minimum inspections and tests should be carried out at six-monthly intervals where appropriate to the installation.
B.3 Visual inspection
B.3.1 Check that the curtain has no obstructions within the area of travel and within the ceiling slot through which the curtain drops
B.3.2 Check that the curtain fabric is intact and has no signs of damage
B.4 Operation check
B.4.1 Activate the fire alarm signal and check the correct automatic operation of the curtain(s). The curtain(s) should descend to the correct level, and curtain edges should have clearances, which provide an effective smoke barrier
B.4.2 For automatic retracting curtains, reset the alarm signal and check that all curtains retract
B.4.3 For manual retraction systems, reset the alarm and manually retract the curtain
B.4.4 Inspect the curtain again to make sure the fabric has rolled up correctly and the bottom bar has not snagged on any obstacle during retraction
Annual inspections
The following minimum inspections and tests should be carried out annually where appropriate to the installation.
B.5 Carry out six-monthly inspections as detailed in B.3 and B.4 on the previous page
B.6 Check and record mains voltage to the system. This may be at the control panel for powered systems or at the electro-mechanical ‘hold-open’ device for non-powered systems
COMMENT:
Non-powered systems may utilise a low voltage DC supply to the ‘hold-open’ device.
B.7 Check fuses, isolators, relays and contactors
B.8 Check condition of cables and terminals
B.9 Check and record voltage supplied to the motors of powered curtains
B.10 Check security of fabric fixing to bottom bar
B.11 Check and record satisfactory operation of smoke curtain from the control panel (this typically applies to powered curtains only)
B.12 Check and record fail safe operation on removal of power to the system
B.13 Carry out a visual inspection of the casing, mechanical fixings, guide rails (where fitted)
COMMENT:
Leave installation in full automatic operating mode after inspecting and testing.
C. MAINTENANCE
Planned preventative maintenance and responsive maintenance should be carried out in accordance with the nominated performance and inspection Standard or document, and to ensure effective operation for the required duration in the event of a fire. In particular, the following should be carried out at the inspections as required.
C.1 Replace any fuses, isolators, relays or contactors found to be faulty (Ref B.7)
C.2 Tighten terminals where necessary (Ref B.8)
C.3 Repair fabric fixing to bottom bar where not secure (Ref B.10)
- SS 13/1 Mechanical smoke control
- SS 13/2 Natural smoke control
- SS 13/3 Smoke curtains
A. Scope
A mechanical smoke control system is required to be listed on a compliance schedule where the system:
A.1 has been installed solely for the purpose of controlling or discharging smoke in the event of a fire, and
A.2 the smoke is removed or controlled using mechanical means.
Examples:
Examples of mechanical smoke control systems include, but are not limited to:
(i) dedicated smoke exhaust
(ii) dedicated smoke control.
COMMENT:
SS 13/1 does not apply to air handling systems required to function in smoke clearance mode during a fire. Such systems are covered under SS9.
B. Inspection
General
Mechanical smoke ventilation systems require regular inspection and testing to ensure they operate as required by the performance standard.
Content and frequency of inspections
Depending on the type of installation and its performance standard, the following referenced Standard or document could be used.
B.1 AS 1851
B.2 A specifically-designed solution prepared by a person who, on the basis of experience and qualifications, is competent to do so
C. Maintenance
Planned preventative maintenance and responsive maintenance should be carried out in accordance with the nominated performance and inspection Standard or document, and to ensure effective operation for the required duration in the event of a fire.
SS 13/2 Natural smoke control
A. Scope
A natural smoke control system is required to be listed on a compliance schedule where the system:
A.1 has been installed solely to control or ventilate smoke in the event of a fire, and
A.2 the smoke is removed or controlled using natural buoyancy methods.
Examples:
Examples of natural smoke control systems include, but are not limited to:
(i) a natural smoke ventilator which is designed to open automatically after the outbreak of fire
(ii) a smoke reservoir specifically designed within a building to retain or collect a thermally buoyant smoke layer in the event of a fire.
COMMENT:
Reservoirs can also be used with a mechanical system, see SS 13/1.
B. Inspection
General
Natural smoke control systems require regular inspection and testing to ensure they operate as required by the performance standard.
Content and frequency of inspections
Depending on the type of installation and its performance standard, the following referenced Standard or document could be used.
B.1 AS 1851
B.2 A specifically-designed solution prepared by a person who, on the basis of experience and qualifications, is competent to do so As a minimum, and if not already stated by the nominated Standard or document, inspections should be carried out six-monthly and annually.
Six-monthly inspections
The following minimum inspections and tests should be carried out at six-monthly intervals where appropriate to the installation.
B.3 Visual inspections
B.3.1 Inspect for damage to mechanical components including corrosion damage.
B.4 Operational inspections
B.4.1 Where a fire alarm signal is used, activate the fire alarm and check the correct automatic operation of the ventilator(s)
B.4.2 Where a heat-activated fusible link is used, disconnect the fusible link and check the correct automatic operation of the ventilator(s). Reconnect fusible link following successful operation and return ventilator(s) to normal position
Annual inspections
The following minimum inspections and tests should be carried out annually, where appropriate to the installation.
B.5 Carry out the six-monthly visual and operation inspection and testing.
B.6 Check energy source to:
– ventilator actuator eg, gas charge in gas powered actuator
– electrical supply to motors or other electrical powered actuating devices
– power supply to any control panel
– power supply to any electro-mechanical ‘hold closed’ device.
B.7 Check fuses, isolators, relays and contactors.
B.8 Check condition of cables and terminals.
C. Maintenance
Planned preventative maintenance and responsive maintenance should be carried out in accordance with the nominated performance and inspection Standard or document, and to ensure effective operation for the required duration in the event of a fire. In particular, the following should be carried out at the inspections as required.
C.1 Replace any fuses, isolators, relays or contactors found to be faulty (Ref B.7)
C.2 Tighten terminals where necessary (Ref B.8)
SS 13/3 Smoke curtains
A. Scope
A smoke curtain is required to be listed on a compliance schedule where the curtain:
A.1 has been installed to control smoke movement within a building.
B. Inspection
General
Smoke curtains require regular inspection and testing to ensure they operate as required by the performance standard.
Content and frequency of inspections
Depending on the type of installation and its performance standard, the following referenced Standard or document could be used:
B.1 AS 1851
B.2 A specifically-designed solution prepared by a person who, on the basis of experience and qualifications, is competent to do so As a minimum, and if not already stated by the nominated Standard or document, the following
inspections should be carried out six-monthly and annually.
Six-monthly inspections
The following minimum inspections and tests should be carried out at six-monthly intervals where appropriate to the installation.
B.3 Visual inspection
B.3.1 Check that the curtain has no obstructions within the area of travel and within the ceiling slot through which the curtain drops
B.3.2 Check that the curtain fabric is intact and has no signs of damage
B.4 Operation check
B.4.1 Activate the fire alarm signal and check the correct automatic operation of the curtain(s). The curtain(s) should descend to the correct level, and curtain edges should have clearances, which provide an effective smoke barrier
B.4.2 For automatic retracting curtains, reset the alarm signal and check that all curtains retract
B.4.3 For manual retraction systems, reset the alarm and manually retract the curtain
B.4.4 Inspect the curtain again to make sure the fabric has rolled up correctly and the bottom bar has not snagged on any obstacle during retraction
Annual inspections
The following minimum inspections and tests should be carried out annually where appropriate to the installation.
B.5 Carry out six-monthly inspections as detailed in B.3 and B.4 on the previous page
B.6 Check and record mains voltage to the system. This may be at the control panel for powered systems or at the electro-mechanical ‘hold-open’ device for non-powered systems
COMMENT:
Non-powered systems may utilise a low voltage DC supply to the ‘hold-open’ device.
B.7 Check fuses, isolators, relays and contactors
B.8 Check condition of cables and terminals
B.9 Check and record voltage supplied to the motors of powered curtains
B.10 Check security of fabric fixing to bottom bar
B.11 Check and record satisfactory operation of smoke curtain from the control panel (this typically applies to powered curtains only)
B.12 Check and record fail safe operation on removal of power to the system
B.13 Carry out a visual inspection of the casing, mechanical fixings, guide rails (where fitted)
COMMENT:
Leave installation in full automatic operating mode after inspecting and testing.
C. MAINTENANCE
Planned preventative maintenance and responsive maintenance should be carried out in accordance with the nominated performance and inspection Standard or document, and to ensure effective operation for the required duration in the event of a fire. In particular, the following should be carried out at the inspections as required.
C.1 Replace any fuses, isolators, relays or contactors found to be faulty (Ref B.7)
C.2 Tighten terminals where necessary (Ref B.8)
C.3 Repair fabric fixing to bottom bar where not secure (Ref B.10)
