Definition of Smoke Ventilation

The main task of SHE systems

The main task of SHE systems is to remove smoke and heat as quickly as possible from rooms or buildings in case of fire and to form a low-smoke layer in the lower room area. This sets the best stages for the (self-) rescue of building users and efficient firefighting. In order to reduce the damages to the fabric and property and to prevent or delay a partial or complete building collapse, usually a low-smoke layer over 2.5 m is to be planned.

Main tasks at a glance:

People can escape from the building on their own
Effective firefighting is supported
Rescue workers have more time to evacuate the building
Damage to the fabric and property is reduced significantly
Fire attacks on neighboring buildings are prevented or delayed

Danger to life due to toxic and corrosive smoke

The majority of fire victims dies by suffocation! About 90 % of the fire victims die by inhaling the toxic fire-smoke-mixture, which usually reaches life-threatening concentrations after just two to four minutes. By the smoke, the fugitives can see nothing. Breathlessness, dizziness and vision disorders lead to disorientation and panic reactions. Fire smoke is a toxic mixture of gases, vapors and solids. The exact composition and quantity depends on the fire materials and fire conditions.

CO - an odorless and flavorless "killer"
In a combustion under lack of oxygen arises - in addition to grime - also a large amount of carbon monoxide (CO). The colorless, odorless and flavorless gas blocks the transport of oxygen in the blood by binding to the transport molecule hemoglobin up to 300 times more than oxygen. The consequences are movement and vision disorders to the point of rapid unconsciousness - after three to four breaths (depending on the level of CO concentration).
Even in case of survival, lifelong serious damages to the nervous system and internal organs often remains after CO poisoning. If nitrogen-containing polymers (plastics) are in the fire material, significant amounts of acutely poisonous hydrocyanic acid (HCN) can arise. These are absorbed through the breathing and the skin and cause great damage in the human body.

Resulting amounts of flue gas and development of the fire load

When burned the existing combustible materials in the building, e. g. as furniture and equipment components, very quickly arise large volumes of toxic and corrosive flue gas. The amount of these materials, the so-called operational fire load, and their fire behavior - together with the structural fire load (combustible construction products) - determine the amount of the total fire load of a building.

The spreading of fumes without smoke and heat extraction: Without the use of smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems (SHE) fill up completely, in a case of fire, rooms and possibly also escape ways within a few minutes with smoke. Flammable fire gases rise above the fire together with hot smoke in a thermic stream upwards in a funnel shape (the so-called "plume") and ensure a rapid rise in temperature under the ceiling or roof construction. At temperatures of more than 400 °C, this mixture ignites and it comes to flashover, i. e. from an initially limited damage fire suddenly a full fire, which is usually not extinguishable.

VFE - Professional body for window automation and smoke ventilation

The company SIMON PROtec Systems GmbH is founder member at the VFE. The association for window automation and smoke ventilation (VFE) with their headquarter in Frankfurt am Main was established in 2016. The VFE has currently ten members which are known companies which are specialized for smoke and daily ventilation.

The pictures and texts are included in the brochure of the VFE, copyright VFE.

Smoke Ventilation & Natural Ventilation

Smoke & Fire Curtains

Company

Contact & Service

The main task of SHE systems

Danger to life due to toxic and corrosive smoke

Resulting amounts of flue gas and development of the fire load

VFE - Professional body for window automation and smoke ventilation

Service

+49 851 988 700

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Your request to us

SIMON PROtec:

Sitemap

Smoke Ventilation & Natural Ventilation

Smoke & Fire Curtains

Company

Contact & Service