FDS provide smoke ventilation systems for new homes

An impressive new suburban residential development in Dartford, Kent, is set to benefit from the experience and expertise of award-winning smoke ventilation contractor Fire Design Solutions (FDS), following the company’s appointment to the project.

Developed by Weston Homes, the Langley Square development will feature a total of 400 one, two and three bedroom apartments, overlooking the picturesque Mill Pond and the River Darent.

To maximise safety for the development’s future occupants, FDS has been appointed by Weston Homes to install a number of fire safety systems in Block F of Langley Square.

FDS’ team of engineers will install corridor detection systems, which will operate a mechanical smoke ventilation system (MSVS) in the event of a fire.

Consisting of a total of seven 0.5m2 ventilation shafts – five spanning from the 2nd to 8th floors and two from the 3rd to 8th floor – the MSVS will use fans fitted at roof level to quickly and efficiently remove smoke build-up from the block’s common areas. This will provide a safe escape route for residents, as well as access for attending fire fighters.

In addition, FDS has also been appointed to supply, install and commission a smoke clearance system for the development’s lower ground level car park. Although the car park’s first level makes use of natural ventilation, satisfying the requirements of Approved Documents B & F of the Building Regulations, a lack of ventilation in the lower level requires the installation of a thrust ventilation system to remove harmful exhaust gases produced by vehicles, and smoke in the event of fire.

Linked to a Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector, the system will activate once CO levels above 30 parts per million are detected, once this level is reduced the system will automatically de-activate. The system will also activate if a smoke/detector is activated, indicating the presence of a fire, or if attending fire fighters activate the fire service override switch.

Speaking on the appointment, Gerard Sheridan, Chairman at FDS said: “In any development, safety is of the utmost importance, however this goes beyond fire detection and smoke ventilation.

“By installing our systems in the car parking area we’re also able to remove pollutants, providing an additional level of reassurance for both Weston Homes and the development’s future residents.”